Hey NFL: Your Halftime Show Could Use A Little Countrification
Why NOT Garth? Or Kenny? Or Carrie? It’s time the NFL considers bringing country back to it’s Super Bowl halftime show
By kncitom on January 23, 2019
It’s not like the Super Bowl has never had a country half-time show; in 1994, Clint Black performed with Travis Tritt, The Judds and Tanya Tucker, and in 2003 Shania Twain was part of a multi-genre line-up that also included Sting and No Doubt (featuring future Blake Shelton gf Gwen Stefani). And, several artists have performed the anthem before the game, including Charlie Pride, Garth Brooks, The Dixie Chicks and, in 2017, Luke Bryan.
But other than that..? Nada. Nothing. There’s a lot wrong with the NFL, and you can add ignoring country acts for the Super Bowl halftime show to that list.
I mean, what’s a country artist gotta do? Sell out stadium after stadium summer after summer? Well, Kenny Chesney already does that (and Garth’s gonna do it this year). How about sell millions of albums? Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, Luke, Tim, Miranda…they all check that box. Appeal to younger fans? Thomas Rhett, Luke Combs, Maren Morris and Florida Georgia Line would like a word. Be known by millions through not just their music but regular TV appearances..? Well, how about Keith Urban (American Idol) and Blake Shelton (The Voice)? Don’t forget that little TV show Reba had that’s still huge in reruns.
Fact is, there is no reason the NFL shouldn’t consider a country act, or multiple country acts, for a future halftime show. In fact, we put that question to a panel of experts recently…our FB friends…asking “What 3 country acts would you like to perform during the Super Bowl”. Here are some of the better combinations.
Shayna Soliven Garth, Luke, Carrie
Kathy Matthews Carrie, Garth, George Strait
Lisa Simpson Tim, Kenny, Luke
Toni Spears Tim, Dierks, Carrie
Barb Smith Keith, Kenny, Miranda
Elizabeth Casey Zac Brown, Brad Paisley, Dierks
Other suggestions included going old school with people like Hank Jr. and Toby Keith, a 90s-country tribute with artists like Brooks and Dunn, Reba, and Alan Jackson, and a young faces line-up with people like Jon Pardi, Maren Morris and Kane Brown.
Our opinions? Cody would go all-female: Miranda, Carrie and Kacey Musgraves. Pat leans towards Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett and Carrie. Me? I’d take a swing with Garth, Keith and Carrie.
Any way you slice it, there are more than enough worthy country artists who wouldn’t just take up space on the halftime stage–they would KILL. Country artists are among the most polished and professional performers in music, and you can bet whoever is up there would turn in a great performance any country fan could be proud of…and maybe put non-country fans on notice.
So come on NFL. Your refs might miss a late-in-a-close-game pass interference call, but this is one call that’s easy for even you to make.
