Singing of the National Anthem

[OLLIE]

My mom sent me an email this morning and it was entitled "Timely Editorial". I don't know who said it but it is one of the truest statements I've read and thought I'd share it here. Anyone here that has met me probably knows that I'm a former Marine and patriotism is in my blood. If anyone here knows where this statement originated please let me know because I'd like to read the actual editorial.

“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 the costumes, the makeup and the entourages. Sing “The Star Spangled Banner” with the courtesy and humility that tells the audience that it is about America, not you.” -Origin Unknown

[gon2srf]

Plain and simple, it is the way Frank Buckles would have liked it to be sung.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41821018/ns/us_news-life/

[OLLIE]

Plain and simple, it is the way Frank Buckles would have liked it to be sung.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41821018/ns/us_news-life/

That's awesome Scott. Thanks for sharing that.

[salad_man]

So true, and inspiring...

[gon2srf]

Plain and simple, it is the way Frank Buckles would have liked it to be sung.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41821018/ns/us_news-life/

That's awesome Scott. Thanks for sharing that.

NP. Your post reminded me of Mr. Buckles who I had read about when there were two remaining WW1 vets left. Just imagine all the stories that guy had to tell. Whatta life, twice the life most people live!

[cruiserlarry]

Well, while I agree with the spirit behind what that unknown author was making his point, I have to (as usual) disagree with the literal interpretation.

Many talented singers, be they pop stars, opera divas, or jazz artists, are at the top of their fields because of the emotion they put into their singing. While there are certainly many who use theatrics to cover for a lack of talent, many are adding their style because of their love for this country and the emotion it inspires in them when given the opportunity to sing our national anthem.

We're quickly becoming a society hinged on semantics. Quick to criticize the affect without looking at the meaning. Let's all try to be a little more forgiving, and allow folks to express their love of our country in the way that feels best to them, and give them the benefit of the doubt that they are sincere, and are humbled and respectful of the what this song represents to all of us...

[DaveK]

Well said, Larry!

Hit it Rosie.......

Roseann Barrrrrr.jpg (6.76 KiB) Viewed 2287 times

[cruiserlarry]

Yeah, well, then there was that...

Interestingly, I listened to an interview with Roseanne Barr a couple of weeks ago. She's obviously much older, and both her situation in life, and her outlook on things has changed over time. When she was asked about the anthem fiasco, she said she wasn't trying to make fun of it or disrespect it. She thought it was an honor to be asked, and felt it disrespectful to turn down the offer. She knew she wasn't a great singer (understatement), but wanted to try her best. Unfortunately, quickly after starting, she realized she was waaaaay out of her league - but she never anticipated the uproar that followed. She was a successful young comedienne at the time, and the reaction to that event shook her up a lot - she said she absolutely felt awful that so many people felt she was intentionally trying to be disrespectful, which was never her intent...

[DaveK]

Larry:

Here is the interview. You'll have to endure a DA commercial, but it's worth it.

In defending her performance, she says that she started out in the wrong key. At the end of the interview, she was awarded the understatement of the decade trophy.

I don't know if she was joking, but she claims to "have a good voice".