Star Spangled Banner

[Batman1138]

What is everyone's favorite rendition of the National Anthem before a race?

Personally, I don't like NASCAR or whoever plans it to get a singer. Granted, when Trisha Yearwood did it for the Daytona 500 that was a beautiful rendition of our National Anthem. But I prefer a marching band, or the Army Band. With Horns blasting it. That's the way it should be played. Loud and Proud.

 

[Mike24]

For me, its really whoever does it justice. Marching bands are really cool to do it, but if someone can sing it and do it well, (not Roseanne), then I have no problem with who does it.

 

[Batman1138]

when I went to Dover in 2006 they had Hulk Hogan's daughter sing it. Ugh.....

 

[Jason Roush]

(not Roseanne)

Or Carl Lewis...

 

[antknee10]

Faith Hill and Whitney Houston have the all-time best renditions, beyond that, stick with the Armed Forces.

 

[nbaker9-91]

As long as the Simpsons (No not the cartoon) don't do it lol

 

[Brak61]

I don't really care who sings it as long as they do it straight and don't go over the top with it. It's a special song and deserves to be spared a singers interpretation of it just to show off their vocal range or specialty.

I think the best version I've heard was done by Martina McBride and she did it respectfully and without aggrandizing herself, just the song.

 

[Wombat24]

There is a guy (Jesse Mcguire)who has done it on a trumpet at Tallagega for several of the races that I've been to there and he is always awesome when he plays it. He's also done it at Phoenix for the races there and even has played the World Series. Here is a vid I found of him. It does no justice to how it sounds in real life!

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyZTdA-CRhg]YouTube - Jesse McGuire - Trumpet National Anthem[/ame]

 

[jgegner]

My favorite rendition of the song has to be the one country singer Joe Nichols did at the first Talladega race last year (it's also on YouTube). Other than that, I think that the marching bands ought to be tasked with performing the song. Just my $.02.

James

 

[JSwanson88]

I saw JoJo sing it at the Pepsi 400 in 2005? or was it 06? W/e...she's HOT AS HELL. I would paste her face....

But idc who sings it. I'm not really that patriotic, so w/e. I don't hate america, i hate the government (our government isn't really that great, but that's a whole different story).

What really pisses me off though, is when they pray before the race. They're spreading their christian propeganda, they're trying to lure people into their cult. As a non-religous/atheist person, I am offended that I have to listen to people talk to this imaginary god character before every race.

 

[Ten0r]

*cough* religious southerners present *cough*

Lol

I know for many non-religious people, the invocation at the beginning can be a tad touchy. However you must look at the drivers and their beliefs. The drivers put their lives on the line (not as much now, but it's still there) to put on an entertaining race for us. Most drivers look for a spiritual presence to keep them safe and the invocation is a way to help those drivers.

If you don't believe, that's your choice, you can choose to bow your head and think of the cars wrecking while the invocation is being said (as long as the drivers are ok lol) and all is well.

As for the anthem, I hate the singers who decide to sing the anthem really slow. They feel that slowing the song down will make their performance stand out...well it does...and it sucks. You're forcing the audience to sit through your singing for 25-50% longer than they should. The best renditions are those that are short and sweet. No virbrato or other musical tones to "enhance" the sound.

Marching bands are awesome (as long as they let the bass drums and cymbals play, damn my high school) but they can get boring after hearing them every week, specially during football season.

 

[MattSRD28]

What really pisses me off though, is when they pray before the race. They're spreading their christian propeganda, they're trying to lure people into their cult. As a non-religous/atheist person, I am offended that I have to listen to people talk to this imaginary god character before every race.

Seriously...tell us how you really feel...:err:

If it really gripes you that badly , here's a couple solutions:
1) If you're watching on TV, change the channel for a few minutes.
2) If you're watching the race in person, put some headphones on and mute them so they become giant earplugs.
3) Leave the hate speech OFF the SRD boards please.

If you want to sound off on your gripes about Christianity or whatever, you're perfectly welcome to start your own blog.

We are NOT going to tolerate hate speech of ANY kind here. Let's please keep on-topic about the Star-Spangeled Banner and have no more discussion about the invocation, thanks.

--DF28

 

[jwhop]

The country group Ricochet at the first Cup race in Texas in 1997

Hands down, the best EVER. The ending of this version is on the NASCAR Hotter than Asphalt album.

 

[73duster47]

I like the marching bands/Drum and bugle corps the best...being in a drum corps for the past three years myself. However, if there's a person who can sing it with the reverence that the song deserves, I'm all for it. My personal favorite rendition at a NASCAR race was the Richmond Fall race in 2004 when the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps and the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps performed...nothing better than hearing 120 blazing brass for our National Anthem.

 

[jwhop]

Having been a trumpet player, i halfta agree!

:yes:

 

[Frank Broughton]

Just watched the youtube video of Jesse McGuire playing the national anthem. It was excellent.

But arg - why did ya have to remind me of that game. Mo gave up the winning hit and the Yankees lost.

Bottom of the 9th, Diamondbacks Batting, Behind 1-2, Mariano Rivera facing 7-8-9
M Grace - Single to CF
David Dellucci pinch runs for Mark Grace batting 7th
D Miller - Reached on E1 (throw to 2B) (Bunt to P); Dellucci to 2B
Jay Bell pinch hits for Randy Johnson batting 9th
J Bell - Bunt Groundout: P-3B/Forceout at 3B; Miller to 2B
Midre Cummings pinch runs for Damian Miller batting 8th
T Womack - Double to RF (Line Drive to RF Line); Cummings Scores; Bell to 3B
Counsell - Hit By Pitch
L Gonzalez - Single to CF; Bell Scores

. . . and all she wrote!

Yes. I should remember how much I enjoyed the national anthem and the stealth bomber flying overhead instead of the ending!

 

[Batman1138]

Bottom of the 9th, Diamondbacks Batting, Behind 1-2, Mariano Rivera facing 7-8-9
M Grace - Single to CF
David Dellucci pinch runs for Mark Grace batting 7th
D Miller - Reached on E1 (throw to 2B) (Bunt to P); Dellucci to 2B
Jay Bell pinch hits for Randy Johnson batting 9th
J Bell - Bunt Groundout: P-3B/Forceout at 3B; Miller to 2B
Midre Cummings pinch runs for Damian Miller batting 8th
T Womack - Double to RF (Line Drive to RF Line); Cummings Scores; Bell to 3B
Counsell - Hit By Pitch
L Gonzalez - Single to CF; Bell Scores

don't need all the info


and I'm with the Drum Corps doing the anthem. I was in a drum corps for nearly ten years playing the trumpet and I love hearing the horns blaring.