Football Fans Pan FGL’s Tyler Hubbard as Thanksgiving Performer
It’s a tradition as tried and true as grandma’s pumpkin pie. Every year on Thanksgiving Day, a football team has to make the worst possible pick for a halftime performer from the dregs of pop country, and embarrass country music on a national stage like your drunk uncle going on a racist tirade in front of your fiance.
This year off of their shameful 40-3 loss against the Dallas Cowboys, the Minnesota Vikings have chosen Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line to be the halftime performer for the NFL’s primetime Thanksgiving Day game.
The only thing more low rent than booking Florida Georgia Line for your halftime show is booking half of Florida Georgia Line for your halftime show. But of course the Vikings had no other choice if they wanted to book Florida Georgia Line since the duo officially broke up earlier this year amid plummeting interest in their tired Bro-Country shtick.
Minnesota Vikings fans took to social media to blow raspberries at the decision of course, because it’s not 2013 anymore, and most people have awoken to just how horrible Bro-Country is, while a whole slew of fans were left befuddled because barely anybody knew the specific names for the Florida Georgia Line dudes anyway. “Is he Florida, or Georgia?” was a common refrain. Tyler Hubbard is Georgia, incidentally.
Truth is, Tyler Hubbard’s solo stuff probably isn’t as terrible as Florida Georgia Line was, but when you’re at rock bottom, it’s not hard to improve. Still, couldn’t they find a better performer than the leftovers of country music’s Bro phase? Here in 2022, you have a bunch of newer country artists that are way more popular than one half of Florida Georgia Line. A look at the charts, and you can see that even more independent artists like Zach Bryan and Tyler Childers surpass the popularity of Tyler Hubbard.
Don’t be surprised if in the coming years, we don’t see artists like Tyler Childers, Zach Bryan, the Turnpike Troubadours, Billy Strings, Cody Jinks, and others playing these kinds of performances. After all, they’re all now graduating to the area level of popularity, while Tyler Hubbard is out there pulling opening duty for Keith Urban.
It’s a new day in country music, and institutions like the NFL should take notice. It’s time to start giving artists from the more independent side of country music a fair shot at these opportunities. After all, don’t you think fans might dig something they may not know about more than something they already know sucks?
November 24, 2022 @ 9:25 am
Dare to dream. Turnpike racing through Before the Devil Knows We’re Dead or Jinks belting out Loud and Heavy on national TV in the middle of the field! Hell yes! Or better yet, Jeremy Pinnell doing any song because he rips. Happy Thanksgiving to all and when you’re watching the game at halftime just go over to YouTube and pull up a live performance of any of those artists Trig threw out there and dream the dream. Country music would truly be saved.
November 24, 2022 @ 11:39 am
Great vibes coming from your side of the room rich!!!! I could definitely see jinks doing a halftime show in our near future. But boy would i love to hear ol jerry p singin about them big girls from bakersfield on an NFL logo. Happy thanksgiving scm
November 24, 2022 @ 2:50 pm
Whole world might break apart with the rippage if they found that good fishing hole.
November 24, 2022 @ 8:55 pm
We ARE all going to go to the Ameripolitan website and vote for Jeremy Pinell, in honor of the girls from Bakersfield and all the other fantastic lyrics he’s sung, right ? Go vote.
November 24, 2022 @ 10:20 am
Whenever I’m in traffic it’s almost always the worst current music imaginable that I hear blaring.
November 24, 2022 @ 11:44 am
Its just as terrible when you’re not in traffic.
November 25, 2022 @ 11:44 am
HA! I meant coming from other peoples’ cars, not my own
November 24, 2022 @ 10:43 am
Hubbard just did the Grey Cup halftime show in Canada with Jordan Davis and Josh Ross as well. Kinda interesting how he’s landing these slots now.
November 24, 2022 @ 10:51 am
As a Canadian and Saskatchewan resident, that was an absolute embarrassment to the CFL. The Three Doucheamigo’s were about the worst choice for one of our biggest sporting events, but seems as though they were possibly a last minute choice as they weren’t announced until very late. Either that or the CFL knew how badly people would react to those clowns being the halftime act.
November 24, 2022 @ 1:43 pm
They should’ve got that band from Mexico that was on Monday night. As bad as they were, they were still more country than Sam Hunt.
November 24, 2022 @ 11:31 am
The only Hubbards I listen to are L. Ron and Ray Wylie.
Happy Thanksgiving, y’all.
November 24, 2022 @ 12:25 pm
What about Old Mother?
November 24, 2022 @ 4:28 pm
Him too.
November 25, 2022 @ 7:26 am
What about Bubba Hubbard ?
November 25, 2022 @ 8:28 am
Really, L. Ron? No thanks, from a former resident of Clearwater Florida.
November 25, 2022 @ 12:29 pm
You said it.
L Ron Hubbard’s Dianetic robots.
Strangest people I have ever seen.
With their button down light blue oxford shirts and robotic mannerisms.
Can’t even begin to operate in polite society, let alone, be out in public without their “handlers.”
And “their” bridge they financed completely ruined the charm and view of the drive to the beach.
November 30, 2022 @ 1:37 pm
Anyone who has questions, watch HBO documentary Going Clear and Leah Remini’s show. Those people are fucking terrifying.
2 true stories from when I lived in Hollywood. Friend of mine was vaguely curious about Scientology so he went to a couple of events, then decided it wasn’t for him. Scientologists hounded him so relentlessly he had to change his phone #, email and MOVE cause they kept showing up to his house.
#2. Friend of mine was a writer on a TV show (a cable one, not even a huge show.) They had a little throwaway joke about Scientology in a scene, nothing mean or major. Strictly confidential script. The NEXT DAY after 1st table read producer started getting phone calls from powerful people way higher on the Hollywood food chain than he was. Polite but vaguely threatening. “I would consider it a personal favor if you took that joke out.” Dozens of phone calls. Producer was so freaked out he took the line out, he was scared and didn’t want any trouble.
Stay away from Scientology and do not fuck with them they are really scary people.
November 27, 2022 @ 1:54 pm
What about Jerry (Reed) Hubbard?
November 24, 2022 @ 12:10 pm
Hubbard opening for Urban. How fitting.
November 24, 2022 @ 12:15 pm
Oh man, I saw this article half awake while half watching the Lions / Bills halftime show with half of the Rexa /FGL dream team doing the amazing half assed arm swing to “Meant to Be.” I swear I heard boos at the end but it was cut off. Crowd didn’t seem even half into it, that’s for sure.
November 24, 2022 @ 1:23 pm
Yeah, hard to believe the group that just had Dr Dre play the super bowl picked a country artist that makes rap songs instead of some barely known guy that makes acoustic driven americana music.
November 24, 2022 @ 1:43 pm
They should’ve got that band from Mexico that was on Monday night. As bad as they were, they were still more country than Sam Hunt.
November 24, 2022 @ 2:08 pm
Shouldn’t it read Tyler “Washed up” Hubbard? ????. We need people like Cody Johnson to do the halftime show. Coincidentally, I just purchased tickets to a Cody Johnson show in my area today and can’t wait. I hear he puts on a heck of a live show
November 24, 2022 @ 4:24 pm
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone associated with this site! Love this community!
November 24, 2022 @ 8:00 pm
Living just outside of Nashville, and at all the Titans games, I used to wonder why we didn’t have bigger names here for the anthem or half-time.
What I learned is that teams don’t pay for them. That’s why we see so many “new” artists. It’s the “paying you in exposure”.
Probably about where Hubbard is now as a solo artist.
November 24, 2022 @ 9:20 pm
Also, halftime shows at regular season games are usually not televised. Halftime belongs to the network’s studio halftime show — analysis, highlights, other scores and football happy talk. I wasn’t watching tonight at halftime, but if Michele is correct in her post, Hubbard’s performance was strictly for the in-stadium crowd. He’s starting his solo career with a No. 1 hit and more name recognition than most new acts have, but his career is not at the point that he’d be putting on a prime time show for a national audience.
(Yes, I realize that the Jonas Brothers’ performance at halftime of the Giants-Cowboys game this afternoon was televised. I’m not sure why, though I suspect payment from their management or label might have been involved.)
November 24, 2022 @ 9:59 pm
The halftime shows for the Cowboys and Lions games on Thanksgiving have been televised for as long as I can remember. Incidentally, Bebe Rexha was the halftime act for the Lions game today.
November 24, 2022 @ 8:04 pm
How come it was not on tv I was mad ??????
November 24, 2022 @ 8:11 pm
That picture is ponderous. Closeted daytime soap star, HGTV renovation pitch man, or Megachurch music director? Who knows.
November 24, 2022 @ 8:51 pm
Excuse me sir… I just saw Jordan Davis on the Macy DAY Parade.
November 24, 2022 @ 8:58 pm
Wait, did anyone start talking about the weird new trend in mainstream country of making football songs? Because I think making songs that mention teams is the new “yeti cooler in my Silverado” mini-trend. I’m pretty sure the whole point is to try and get your song in a commercial, though.
November 25, 2022 @ 7:21 am
Hubbard doesn’t sing party drinking bro songs.
He sings Boyfriend country – worshipping his wife for being hot in a sundress
November 24, 2022 @ 9:49 pm
I don’t spend any time watching other people exercise and I’m glad I spent my day listening to Dick Curless. Met an old performing buddy of his from Maine last night and played him my song about Lenny Breau. A great time was had by all!
November 25, 2022 @ 7:23 am
The inimitable Lenny Breau…haven’t heard that name in a long time. When Jerry Reed says you’re the best, you’re the best.
November 28, 2022 @ 7:14 am
Wasn’t Lenny also the first recipient of the C.G.P. award from Chet Atkins?
November 25, 2022 @ 7:36 am
Ian, this took place Wednesday night? What bar crawl did you attend ????
November 25, 2022 @ 1:16 pm
I play at a little dive in north Seattle. The old timer was visiting my friend (his BIL) from Maine. Hoping to get together to play more over the weekend. It was really a trip because I was just planning on playing my song because it’s weird to have a Maine specific song. What I was not counting on was the fact that Gene not only knew who Breau was, he had picked him up at the airport and hung out with him in Sick Curless’ office! It was a complete trip. Actually contemplating going to Maine to record when I have a new batch of songs. Really want to meet Denny Breau as well.
November 25, 2022 @ 3:41 am
“The only thing more low rent than booking Florida Georgia Line for your halftime show is booking half of Florida Georgia Line for your halftime show” ..ain’t Trig the funniest writer out there?
November 25, 2022 @ 8:36 am
He has been known to turn a classic hilarious phrase or 2 especially during the live CMA Blog….. I’d love to see a list of Trigs greatest hits. My all time fav “That Country music hemorrhoid HARDY”.
November 25, 2022 @ 7:18 am
Laughing at the idea of football fans having to listen to a song about Hubbard idolizing and worshipping his wife.
November 25, 2022 @ 7:33 am
Didn’t Luke Combs play last year??
November 25, 2022 @ 10:58 pm
grown men still spending their paycheck on a childrens game… i dont think hubbard is the problem
November 26, 2022 @ 9:46 pm
Q, is that you?
November 26, 2022 @ 1:59 pm
I’m always baffled and amazed by the musical choices the NFL makes. Always the blandest, dullest, most tedious country and R&B/hip-hop performers. Why do they assume the average NFL fan likes or wants this entertainment? I’d way rather watch some kids take the field for punt, pass & kick contests. I mean, half of FGL? Yuck.
November 27, 2022 @ 10:12 am
Well it’s not a Thanksgiving national audience but it’s a step in the right direction for an NFL team. Lainey Wilson will be doing the halftime show at the Tennessee Titans game today. Says she’ll be doing Hold My Halo and Heart Like A Truck. Good for Lainey! It probably won’t be shown on TV but I’m sure it’ll be up on her social media and YouTube.
November 27, 2022 @ 6:06 pm
You’re upset because a man sings a song “idolizing” his wife during half time? Maybe the problem isn’t his level of talent but the fact that your own relationships pale in comparison.