Alan Jackson, Vince Gill, Mickey Guyton Perform on Memorial Day
The national Memorial Day concert each year broadcast on PBS doesn’t always include notable names from the country music world. But in 2021, it included three of them, who each turned in marquee performances. The concert special is usually filmed as a live concert experience on the West Lawn of the United States Capitol building, but due to COVID-19 concerns, the telecast featured pre-taped performances in 2021.
Mickey Guyton helped open the festivities by performing the National Anthem in front of the backdrop of the Capitol. Though her performance was dubbed a “special” rendition of the song, Mickey’s performance was a pretty straightforward version of “The Star Spangled Banner” backed by an orchestra. It was her performance itself that made it special.
Alan Jackson performed his 9/11 remembrance song “Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning.” Given credit for helping to revitalizing his career in the early 00’s, it was the more thoughtful and heartfelt remembrance and tribute compared to Toby Keith’s “The Angry American.” Written by Jackson himself, the song became a five-week #1 in country, and won the CMA and ACM awards for Song of the Year, and a the Grammy for Best Country Song.
Vince Gill performed his song “Go Rest High on That Mountain” from the Ryman Auditorium, which marked one of the most touching moments for the entire presentation. After the song’s original release in 1994, “Go Rest High on That Mountain” has since become one of the definitive eulogy ballads in the country music canon, and is regularly sung at the funerals of the departed, including country stars, and the fallen heroes in the military. Written by Vince Gill, the song was inspired by the death of country music star Keith Whitley in 1989.
This year marks the 32nd installment of the National Memorial Day Concert honoring the men and women of the United States Armed Forces, their families and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. This year’s presentation was also specifically a tribute to Vietnam Nurses, the 70th anniversary of the Korean War, and the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and Gold Star Families.
The performances can be seen below, and you can see the entire Memorial Day concert HERE.
June 1, 2021 @ 12:29 pm
Man, Mickey has such a huge voice!! Would sound so much better live than on YT.
June 1, 2021 @ 1:37 pm
“The Angry American” is the “It’s me again, Margaret!” of patriotic songs. Difficult not to be more heartfelt than that wet fart of a tune.
June 2, 2021 @ 8:05 am
There is nothing wrong with that song. It is his opinion. If you don’t like it thats fine.
June 1, 2021 @ 2:43 pm
How long are they gonna parade Mickey Guyton out there? She has a great voice but it’s obvious they are using her to pander.
June 1, 2021 @ 4:35 pm
Until people like you stop noticing.
June 1, 2021 @ 6:38 pm
Dude, this woman has been trying to be big for years. You don’t find it the least bit strange that all of a sudden she is a “superstar” after this BLM stuff? So, you have two legends and this person. You are claiming ignorance but you are the one that is refusing to not connect the dots because it makes you uncomfortable.
Sorry Trig, I know you hate when these become political but this had to be addressed
June 1, 2021 @ 7:55 pm
You don’t have “two legends and this person.” There were 23 performers for this event. Trigger just highlighted the 3 with country origins. I’m not claiming ignorance, I’m calling it out. The only dots I’m connecting is you and Cameron are uncomfortable with Trigger including her as country. Otherwise, she one of 23 performers from all different genres celebrating Memorial Day.
June 3, 2021 @ 7:21 pm
No, the issue is nobody can name a damn song she sings, but she is headlining.
June 8, 2021 @ 9:17 pm
Headlining what? She sang the National Anthem on PBS.
June 1, 2021 @ 5:44 pm
When the woke crowd finds a new patsy.
June 1, 2021 @ 6:05 pm
Cameron,
I do believe you are correct. It is a shame for her as she is a great singer. The same buggy that brings you to town will take you out. I guess being used is what she thinks she has to do. But it is a shame nonetheless.
June 1, 2021 @ 6:58 pm
When did Vince Gill get those luscious locks?
June 1, 2021 @ 7:28 pm
He’s growing out like his old buddy Ricky Skaggs it appears.
June 1, 2021 @ 8:09 pm
https://www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert/concert/performers/
23 performances. She performed along Gladys Knight, The Four Tops, Sara Bareilles ….How exactly is she allowing herself to be used? Should she have turned down the opportunity for someone more deserving? Fire her agent for getting her a high profile gig! Your problem is Trigger highlighted her performance along Alan Jackson and Vince Gill. You are uncomfortable with her being labeled “country.”
June 1, 2021 @ 8:13 pm
This was a response to Andrew J Perscac.
June 1, 2021 @ 9:49 pm
Comment threads are hard.
June 1, 2021 @ 7:17 pm
Glad to see others have noticed what’s happening with/to Mickey Guyton. When she first came out with a single a few years back, I noticed how talented AND pretty she was, NOT her color. It’s a shame that all this emphasis on politics & color, even sadly in country music, is what’s brought her to the forefront rather than her obvious talent. She is certainly allowing herself to be used this way because I can’t believe she would be THAT naive. As others said here, what a shame 🙁 ….
June 1, 2021 @ 7:19 pm
Did my post just get deleted????
June 1, 2021 @ 7:28 pm
Which post? I’m seeing it above. Try refreshing your browser maybe.
June 1, 2021 @ 7:37 pm
As for Mickey Guyton participating in this, I think she did a great job, she’s a great singer, and I’m not sure what the issue is here. Is she being pushed forward more now because she’s a black artist in country? Of course. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t deserve to sing the National Anthem at an event like this. The National Anthem is usually reserved for artists that are trying to be introduced to bigger audiences, and Guyton was a good pick for it. That’s why I believe The National Anthem is an important part of events. I wrote about this a while back, and I think a lot of folks missed my point.
https://savingcountrymusic.com/ending-national-anthem-in-sports-ends-a-stepping-stone-in-music/
June 1, 2021 @ 10:10 pm
Because being not only chosen, but “pushed” forward based on identity, or because of political activism, is the new “deserves it.”
It’s ok though…mediocre pop sorta but not really “country” music FTW, I guess ????
June 2, 2021 @ 9:31 am
She sang the National Anthem on a PBS special. Alan Jackson and Vince Gill were given dedicated performance slots. I don’t want to diminish Mickey’s role in the presentation, but come on. I think folks are making too much of this. And what am I supposed to do, ignore her performance, and just talk about Vince and Alan? She did a good job and deserves credit. I agree there is an issue of identity being used to push some artists forward as opposed to merit. But I just don’t think this is the right instance to fight that fight.
June 3, 2021 @ 3:22 pm
*before putting the HIghwomen on blast/calling them waycist : mickey who?
*after: meet our new secretary of the interior and national poet, Mickey Guyton