A Officer's request about singing the National Anthem

[downtownv]

A BIG AMEN TO THIS ONE
From a Marine Corps Colonel in Afghanistan: "So with all the kindness I can muster, I give this one piece of advice to the next pop star who is asked to sing the national anthem at a sporting event: save the vocal gymnastics and the physical gyrations for your concerts.
Just sing this song the way you were taught to sing it in kindergarten - straight up, no styling. "Sing it with the constant awareness that there are soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines watching you from bases and outposts all over the world.
Don't make them cringe with your self-centered ego gratification. Sing it as if you are standing before a row of 86-year-old WWII vets wearing their Purple Hearts, Silver Stars and flag pins on their cardigans and you want them to be proud of you for honoring them and the country they love - not because you want them to think you are a superstar musician.
They could see that from your costume, makeup and your entourage. Sing 'The Star Spangled Banner' with the courtesy and humility that tells the audience that it is about America, not you.
And please remember, not everything has to be sung as a Negro spiritual. We're getting a little weary of that. Francis Scott Key does not need any help."
Semper Fi !
:Amflag2:

[muggsy]

A very large +1.

[SaltyNC]

I think everyone is just trying to out-do Whitney Houston's rendition. Houston's personal issues aside, for my money, no one has ever sung the national anthem better. It was so stirring, I wept.

SaltyNC

[ripley16]

Here you are Colonel. Sung just as written. Acapella, and bonus A-10s. Perfect.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHwi_Z3Qp3Y

I heard an opera star will sing at the Super Bowl. They should be better than most I hope.

Here's Mike Rowe (Dirtiest Jobs) singing at the Bowie Baysox ball field. Amateur tape but the sound is good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xhSBniwGbM

[jocko]

I think everyone is just trying to out-do Whitney Houston's rendition. Houston's personal issues aside, for my money, no one has ever sung the national anthem better. It was so stirring, I wept.

SaltyNC

can;t be done, IMO:Amflag2: issues aside she did the anthem well. such talent to go down in drugs...:Amflag2:

when u have friends like the coloonel, downtown, muggsy, tinman, wyn, there might be a need to do drugs Just sayin:eek:

[downtownv]

can;t be done, IMO:Amflag2: issues aside she did the anthem well. such talent to go down in drugs...:Amflag2:

when u have friends like the coloonel, downtown, muggsy, tinman, wyn, there might be a need to do drugs Just sayin:eek:

Here ya Go Jocko, ole Pal!

[Bawanna]

Ok, where'd you get the picture of my coworkers. Have about 5 that look like that, never seen em like that praise the lord but gotta be close.

[AIRret]

I think everyone is just trying to out-do Whitney Houston's rendition. Houston's personal issues aside, for my money, no one has ever sung the national anthem better. It was so stirring, I wept.

SaltyNC

You have got that right………it was amazing.

And Bawanna…….that's a hazardous work environment!!!!

[Bawanna]

You have got that right………it was amazing.

And Bawanna…….that's a hazardous work environment!!!!

It certainly is if you get between them and their grub, let me tell ya.
Some will wait to signal ya when you go by rather than over exert themselves and walk 20 ft across the office.
Sad when your winded after 20 or 30 ft at a meandering pace.

One was bragging about how she learned it was healthy to eat 6 or 8 times a day. I went out on a limb and told her the meant 6 or 8 light meals, not a 15pc bucket of chicken with mashed taters and biscuits 8 times a day. A miracle I didn't get fired.
I also call her Free Willy behind her oversized back, so far haven't been caught but close a few times.

[knkali]

I think everyone is just trying to out-do Whitney Houston's rendition. Houston's personal issues aside, for my money, no one has ever sung the national anthem better. It was so stirring, I wept.

SaltyNC
One of the best for sure

[knkali]

Here ya Go Jocko, ole Pal!

I'd hit that

[knkali]

I guess this arrangement is out of the question?


Nice to see young people singing it and keeping it relevant.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8C7i9kdEf8

[Tinman507]

I've always liked those guys.
Yeah it's not traditional but it's respectful. why not?

[knkali]

here is another for those interested about the 2A from them


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cQ7ldhD05E

[SaltyNC]

I'd hit that

:eek: ROTFL! As a married man of many years, I can certainly appreciate that! :D

[Axe281]

+1
Nothing disturbs me more than this. Show some respect for our men who are and have served this great country. Whoever is responsible for selecting the singer should be held responsible for the performance.

[smo79]

A lot of the issue today is not having respect for anything. Anthem, pledge, saying thank you to a veteran for their service. It really steams my goat when people take this country for granted and it just becomes about me,me,me. Freedom is never free.

[downtownv]

Ok, where'd you get the picture of my coworkers. Have about 5 that look like that, never seen em like that praise the lord but gotta be close.

From the camera on your desk top computer!:D

[downtownv]

I'd hit that

With a wiffle ball Bat!:eek::blushing:

[GROTMAN]

I'd hit that

WOULD YOU HIT THIS ?
http://i.imgur.com/J3GK9Cd.jpg

[mr surveyor]

It certainly is if you get between them and their grub, let me tell ya.
Some will wait to signal ya when you go by rather than over exert themselves and walk 20 ft across the office.
Sad when your winded after 20 or 30 ft at a meandering pace.

One was bragging about how she learned it was healthy to eat 6 or 8 times a day. I went out on a limb and told her the meant 6 or 8 light meals, not a 15pc bucket of chicken with mashed taters and biscuits 8 times a day. A miracle I didn't get fired.
I also call her Free Willy behind her oversized back, so far haven't been caught but close a few times.



that sounds like Louis Grizzard's story about Cordie Mae's Weight Gain Diet. The world lost a good one when Grizzard left it.

[bob98366]

a big amen to this one
just sing this song the way you were taught to sing it in kindergarten - straight up, no styling.

Amen!

[getsome]

I agree 100% even though it's a difficult song to sing and hit some of the high notes just sing it with respect....Here is a great rendition of the National Anthem sung by some very young Texas sisters....IMHO they nailed it....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogiKxJmrFMg

[AJBert]

I just hope that those "celebrities" that do sing our National Anthem in the future heed's this man advice.

[John222]

The problem is, most if not all, pop stars today are talented performers, not talented singers. Our national anthem, while not a particularly great song, is technically difficult to sing. Most of these performers rearrange, or should I say bastardize, the song into something they can make their own. In truth, they can't sing it the way it was written. Whitney was one of the few to do a good job.

But I should say, there have been a few others who were perfectly capable of singing it properly. Like Christine Aguilara & Jennifer Hudson, but chose to turn it into a gospel, ghetto yodeling event instead.