Post Malone, Reba McEntire Go Country for Super Bowl Opening Songs


Reba McEntire and Post Malone teamed up for countrified versions of the opening performances at the 2024 Super Bowl on Sunday (2-11). We knew country music’s modern queen had been booked to perform the National Anthem, representing the country genre for America’s biggest media audience all year. But post Malone who’s dabbled with country in the past also brought the twang.

Post Malone took the field to sing “America The Beautiful” wearing a turquoise bolo tie and carrying an old Martin guitar like a country star. Then when he started singing, the sweet tones from a steel guitar accompanied him, making for a surprisingly country version of the song.

When Reba took the field to sing the National Anthem, the steel guitar remained, along with a full blow band by the end of the rendition. This was in contrast to the often a capella versions we’re commonly used to in these situations. It was a a solid and strong performance by Reba, though perhaps not as landmark as some other performances over the years.

Country star Ernest’s steel guitar player Chandler Walters played with Post Malone. Veteran country steel guitar player Travis Toy played with Reba. See both performances below.

For Reba McEntire, performing the National Anthem at the 2024 Super Bowl is a full circle moment. In 1974 while a sophomore in college at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Reba McEntire performed the National Anthem at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City, or NFR. In the crowd that day was legendary country songwriter and performer Red Steagall, who ultimately helped McEntire land her first record deal.

For country music, this makes three big performances of the National Anthem in the last three years at the Super Bowl. Mickey Guyton received praise for her 2022 National Anthem performance, and some consider Chris Stapleton’s 2023 version of “The Star Spangled Banner” one of the best ever.

This story has been updated.

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