The Top Country Music National Anthem Performances of All Time

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It’s one of the most difficult and scrutinized performances any singer can commit to. But if you turn in a memorable rendition, it could be a defining moment in your career. That is the weight that comes with performing the National Anthem. And though some of the most memorable ones over the years have come from singers like Whitney Houston, when were some of the most landmark performances of the “Star Spangled Banner” from country artists?

Let’s go through the years and take a look. And feel free to share some of your favorite performances below in the comments. This is just one opinion/perspective.

10. Mickey Guyton – Super Bowl 2022, National Memorial Day Concert, 2021

Mickey Guyton is one of country music’s preeminent “Star Spangled Banner” performers, and has done the honors on many occasions throughout her career. The reason for this is not just because she’s so good at it. She was actually inspired to become a country singer after seeing a 10-year-old LeAnn Rimes before the National Anthem when Guyton was roughly the same age (see more of the story below).

After turning in a highly-praised National Anthem performance at the 2021 National Memorial Day Concert broadcast on PBS, Mickey Guyton was asked to sing the National Anthem for the 2022 Super Bowl. Though they might not have been the most highly-praised performances ever, they certainly represented country music and Mickey Guyton well, and put her on the map for many.

9. Carrie Underwood – Nashville Predators Playoff Game, 2017

As you can imagine, Carrie Underwood has quite a few landmark renditions of the National Anthem under her belt as one of the best modern country singers, including at the 2010 Super Bowl. But searching through the archives of her performances, the one that stands out the most was before Game 3 between the Nashville Predators and the Chicago Blackhawks as part of the 2017 NHL playoffs.

What might account for Underwood’s especially inspired performance, including hitting an extra high note near the end that sealed it as an all-timer? Underwood wasn’t just taking advantage of a local gig. She was married to the Captain of the Nashville Predators at the time, Mike Fisher. Inspiring the Predators was personal for Underwood.

8. Martina McBride – AFC Championship Game – 2009

Martina McBride is considered one of the greatest singers in modern country history, and she showed off why in 2009 before the tilt between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers to decide who would go to the 2009 Super Bowl. Not only was McBride flawless and showed off her howitzer voice, she had to fight the weather conditions to do it. It was 21 degrees with a stiff wind, but McBride owned the performance.

Some consider McBride’s 2009 version one of the best ever, if only due to having to sing it in sub-freezing temperatures. Adversity often brings out the best in people. It brought out the best in McBride.

7. Ruby Jane – Mississippi State Basketball Game, 2010

Unless you were personally there, or unless you’re reading this now, it’s unlikely you have ever heard of this particular performance of the National Anthem. After all, it happened before a regular season college basketball game, and Ruby Jane isn’t exactly a household name.

At the time, Ruby Jane was a 15 year old fiddle prodigy when had made history as youngest invited fiddle player on the Grand Ole Opry. She also toured and recorded with Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel as part of their “Willie and the Wheel” project.

Originally from Mississippi, Ruby Jane became well-known in the Austin country scene and beyond. She would later move more into more singer/songwriter Americana, and now into electronica pop, while still keeping the violin as part of her sound.

It’s really Ruby Jane’s National Anthem rendition that captured what she was capable of. The performance was also very decidedly country with it’s twangy notes and bluegrass runs, mixed with classical flourishes. The cheers and gasps from the audience illustrate just how incredible the instrumental rendition really was.

6. The Dixie Chicks – The Super Bowl, 2003

Though most renditions of the “Star Spangled Banner” are solo performances, the Dixie Chicks (Natalie Maines, Emily Strayer, Martie Macguire) brought their three-part harmonies to the Super Bowl in 2003, and knocked it out of the park. It has since become one of the most beloved performances of the song to fans in country music and beyond.

The Dixie Chicks performance also holds some historical significance, however ironic and dubious. It came only weeks before Natalie Maines issued comments critical of President George W. Bush and the invasion of Iraq while performing in the UK, resulting in the mass boycott of the “un-American” Dixie Chicks by country radio and legions of fans. How quickly fans forgor this performance of America’s most patriotic song, or the fact that their single at the time was “Travelin’ Soldier.”

5. Faith Hill – Super Bowl, 2000


Faith Hill took the field at the millennial rendition of the Super Bowl, and walked into the history books for delivering one of the most lauded performances of the National Anthem in American music history. Accompanied by a troupe of traditional bagpipes and field drums, Faith Hill separated her rendition from so many others with her superlative mastery of the highest notes, not shying away from the top range, but reaching and achieving it.

Sure, this is not the most “country” of National Anthem performances. It’s more about a country star singing a more classic version of the song. But that makes it no less memorable. Faith Hill’s 2000 “Star Spangled Banner” at the Super Bowl remains one of the most crowing achievements of her career.


4. LeAnn Rimes – 1997 All-Star Game (and other MLB, NFL Performances)


Many performers can sing the National Anthem, and sing it well. Some seem to have been born to sing it, and do it so well, it goes on to define their career. LeAnn Rimes is one of those singers. Originally from the Dallas area, Rimes grew up singing the “Star Spangled Banner” at Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers baseball games, starting when she was only 9 years old. In fact, it was one performance when Rimes was 10 that inspired fellow Dallas-area native Mickey Guyton to become a singer herself.

“My church drove to Arlington, Texas to see the Texas Rangers, and the announcer said, ‘Please rise as 10-year-old LeAnn Rimes sings the National Anthem.'” Mickey Guyton recalls. “And I remember the voice of this child, and the whole ballpark was just blown away. You could hear a pin drop, and we all freaked out about it. I remember in that moment, even when we drove home … I thought about that, and all I wanted to do was be a singer.”

That, ladies and gentlemen is using the National Anthem to inspire—not just helping to launch your own career, but launch the careers of others.

Unfortunately there is no video of the performance of LeAnn Rimes when she was 9 and 10. But numerous other performances from Rimes have been highly praised, perhaps none more than her rendition before the 1997 MLB All-Star Game.

3. Zach Top – NFC Championship Game, 2026

Sure, some will claim recency bias crept into this decision. But it’s not just Zach Top’s National Anthem rendition as a country artist that made it so memorable. It’s that he made the National Anthem into a country song like nobody else before.

The song is hard enough to sing, especially to a national audience. Putting a signature, twangy spin on it is something else, especially since Zach had to hold his attention as the jet flyover came a shade too early. Despite suffering a little rasp for a second, it might be one of the greatest country renditions of the song we’ve ever heard, and Top earned high praise on social media—which as we know, can come for people’s head when the National Anthem is off, or even just average.

Traditional country fans can shout into a void that actual country music is still alive and well, and you just have to seek it out. But it’s a “moment” like Zach Top had that reaches the masses. And since it happened in Seattle, it was the story of a hometown boy done good since Zach is from Washington State.

2. Reba McEntire – NFR in Oklahoma City, 1974


There are National Anthem renditions that are memorable, inspiring, and downright astounding as performances. And then there are ones that are so good, they become historically significant, and go on to reshape the popular music world.

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. The performance ultimately resulted in Reba getting a recording contract, and becoming one of the most important artists in country music history.

“After the rodeo, we all went up to the Justin [boots] suite at the Hilton and we were all in this big suite and the guys were passing the guitar around, and somebody asked me to sing ‘Jolene,’ no ‘Joshua,’” Reba later recalled. Red Steagall was so impressed, he decided he wanted to help Reba get a recording contract. Eventually she recorded a demo tape, and was singed to PolyGram/Mercury Records. If it wasn’t for the performance, the world might have never heard of Reba McEntire. (read more)

1. Chris Stapleton – 2023 Super Bowl


Playing a black Telecaster with the amp behind him and flanked by monitor speakers—and without his signature feather-crowned hat—Chris Stapleton belted out an effortless and stirring rendition of National Anthem, making some grown ass men in shoulder pads on the sidelines openly weep. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni had Niagara Falls rolling down his cheeks in an almost inexplicable deluge of tears.

Chris Stapleton’s 2023 Super Bowl National Anthem has since gone down as not not only the greatest country music rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner,” but arguably one of the best of all time. Not a traditional recitation for sure, but perfect for Chris Stapleton’s naturally soulful voice with vibratos and character accents you could never practice or mimic, Stapleton immediately received nearly universal acclaim for the performance.

Chris Stapleton might be one of the most universally-appreciated singers in all of music. His 2023 Super Bowl performance is one of the reasons for this acclaim.


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