Sports
National Anthem Goes Very Badly for Country Singer at NFL Game
- Posted on December 7, 2010 at 12:11am by
Scott Baker
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The Eli Young Band has had a few hits and they’re popular enough to have caused an internet storm or two. Meet the guys:
Mike Eli is the lead singer. Yesterday he took to the field in Kansas City to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the Chiefs-Broncos game. He screwed it up. Twice.
Larry Brown Sports declared this to be “Nothing short of shameful. Just pitiful, truly pitiful.”
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Comments (144)
blacksmith
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 4:28amHe should have borrowed one of Barry O’s teleprompters. He always gets everything right with one of those, a babbling idiot without one.
Report Post »maestrochase
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 4:03amI personally feel bad for him. He got it right during sound check, and I was busy in the belly of the beast when he was singing this. I feel REALLY bad for telling him on the sidelines that it sounded great. I just hope he didn’t hear me. Arrowhead is after all, the loudest football stadium in the country.
Report Post »grahampink
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 3:03amJose can you see……
Report Post »burnteye86
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 3:01amhe should have practiced at least once
Report Post »Jay Jay
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 2:19amI feel bad for the guy.
Report Post »lowxposure
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 1:39amBeen lurking on this site since Beck started it, and I chose this story as my first post. Don’t be so rough on the guy, he makes good music, and he choked. It happens.
I like how approximately 10% of the stories on The Blaze actually matter, and I skim the story to get to the comments anyway.
Report Post »timturk
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 1:38amThey should have at least used earplug monitors, my guess is that they did not. The echo is terrible in a place like that. By the time most people start singing “What so proudly we hailed….“ on the field you are just starting to hear ”Oh say can you see….”.
Report Post »LDSmommy
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 1:33amI understand feeling bad for him, but seriously! They made a deal to sing, they didn’t think perhaps they should look over the words? Sad.
Report Post »They still say the Pledge at my kids’ school. Probably not for long though.
Quasimofo
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 1:22amYet another graduate of our “wonderful” school system.
Report Post »missionarydad
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 1:21amI agree that is what happens when you are not taught to respect Patriotism in our socialistic schools these days. A vast majority of my generations who are not singers know the National Anthem by heart it just comes with our generation. I guess he just thought he knew the words and having never sung it learned what he did not know the hard way. Got to prepare before you perform dummy!
Report Post »Jake Wilde
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 1:05amYou people act like it is you and you are putting yourself in that situation. The guy gets paid to do this and you act like it is ok to be ill prepared. That is what is wrong with this f’n country, all of you excuse ridden bags of puss.
Report Post »Ezekiel38
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 1:02amI hope he sang for free!!
Report Post »wai2000.com
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 1:40pmLOL so True
Report Post »rlmeals
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 12:45amI have to say, I’m a singer, and as long as I’ve been performing in front of people, I still get so nervous that I forget words sometimes. I can’t imagine standing in front of all those people, messing up, and then the pressure he was feeling to start over again. It’s not easy! Do I think he should have known the national anthem? Yeah, of course. But on the other hand, I think this is something I can cut the guy some slack on. Besides, I’m a fan of his music, and I think the band is wonderful otherwise. They are good musicians and have some great songs out. I think I feel sorry for him more than anything, because I know how embarrassing that is.
Report Post »eyestoseeearstohear
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 9:21am@ RLMEALS
I have sang in front of large groups ( none this large) and I understand that you can FREEZE OR GO BLANK moments before….BUT, a good singer works out a mental system in preparation FOR THIS VERY KIND OF SITUATION.
One way, is that you LEARN THAT SONG….FORWARD AND BACKWARDS….you make it RELEVANT IN YOUR LIFE….in order for your DELIVERY to bring meaning and be memorable for your listeners.
And, as for PATRIOTIC STANDARDS …you KNOW the people are LISTENING for that songs key and familiar elements, which is what MAKES THE SONG UNIQUE….UNLESS you are adding your own STYLE to it….BUT THE WORDS…..BETTER BE RIGHT!
I feel for this guy’s humilation and its probably going to be a long while before he lives this one down…but he SHOULD LEARN FROM THIS EXPERIENCE….if he intends on staying in the business.
As BLACKSMITH writes – he may NEED to borrow one of Barry’s TELEPROMTERS, if he is just going to COLD TURKEY HIS NEXT EVENT’S PERFORMANCE.
Report Post »eyestoseeearstohear
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 12:44amThat’s what happens when you take Country & Pledge of Allegiance OUT OF OUR SCHOOLS!
This young man has probably NEVER LEARNED THIS SONG AT AN EARLY AGE OR REALLY HEARD THE WORDS OR IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY MADE SENSE ……IN THE COURSE OF HIS YOUNG LIFE…….AND OBVIOUSLY, DIDN’T PREPARE, LEARN OR PRACTICE FOR THIS EVENT……AND WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR “ BLOWING THIS SONG” WHEN HE IS ON STAGE SHAKING, BUMPING AND GRINDING TO WHATEVER KIND OF MUSIC THEY SING…
Patriotic Songs are like learning TIMETABLES….
At an Early Age, you FIRST have to learn them BY MEMORIZING THEM.
Later, you LEARN THE HOW‘S AND WHY’S….HOW IT ALL COMES TOGETHER & MAKES SENSE!
WHAT A DOPE!
Report Post »RAB9499
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 4:30pmThe town this man is from is one of the most patriotic I have seen. They say the pledge every morning on announcements including “Under God”, they have a patriotic show during halftime of one of the high school football games. This Patriotic Show is bigger than homecoming. Before you start blaming schools not saying the Pledge of Allegiance for this man’s mistake, you might want to step back.
Report Post »American_Woman
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 12:36amOuch. Nice voice though.
Report Post »prage2001
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 1:59amScrew that! Make them do it again next week, and the week after that! Make them do it till they get it right! They should be ashamed!
Report Post »Mirimichi
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 12:31amThis is a band composed of professional singers/musicians? And they can’t get the Star-Spangled Banner right? Deport them.
Report Post »Goohuman
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 12:27amNot a good sign for a professional singer.
Report Post »DRAGONSEED
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 12:26amWell, at least he got the “Land of the free, Home of the brave” part right… (Even the Great O didn‘t know the country’s MOTTO (In God we Trust)….)
Report Post »aeronut44
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 12:35amHe got the home of the brave right, but that idiot lady on the video said “the home of the Chiefs” that is the kinda stuff that really ****** me off!!!!
the singer made a mistake, he will never sing that song in public again, end of story!
Report Post »maestrochase
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 4:08amAERONUT44,
Report Post »Have you never been to a sporting event where the fans singing along will replace, “the brave,” with their mascot? I’m sorry this makes you so upset, but I don’t think you need to take it so seriously.
BIGDAN63
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 12:26amgive the guys a break, you think its easy to go out their and sing the National Anthem.
Report Post »Jake Wilde
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 12:39amWow that is pathetic, almost as pathetic as morons protecting them. When you get paid good money for stuff like this you are paid to be professional and not a hack. Shame on some of you acting like singing the national anthem in front of any sized crowd is difficult. You sing in your key.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 6:46amI have sang that song THOUSANDS of times. I could probably sing it backwards. But the difference between me and this loser is that it means something to me. To him, it was just a payday…
So now how do you feel about defending a professional singer for screwing up is job?
Report Post »Patriotic2
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 8:56amIt would be for me and most Americans because we have sang it before many many times. He is a professional singer so he shouldn’t be nervous. I bet he don’t forget the words to his songs. If these so called professionals want to get their face out there in front of all these people at ball games they might want to bring a card with the words on it so they don’t screw up the National Anthem. But I guess the saying is true “there is no substitute for practice”.
Report Post »J.C. McGlynn
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 12:12pmLauren Hart, whose father was known as “The Vioce of the Philadelphia Flyers”, been doing it since she was anound 13 years old and at a basketball game Mo cheeks, 76er’s head coach at the time, took a young girl who flubbed the National Anthem, put his arm around her shoulder, and sang it with her.It might not be easy but these guys sing in front of people all the time. And had hours to pratice it.
Report Post »groovygranny
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 3:28pmIf you an’t sing the song, don’t take the gig. Don’t these people have to audition?
Report Post »HillBillySam1
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 10:52pm@JC MCGLYNN
Report Post »I remember when Mo Cheeks did that. It was one of the classiest things that I have seen. It made me feel very proud and brought tears to my eyes when the crowd joined in singing the rest of the song. I have the highest respect for Mo Cheeks because of how he conducted himself.
pstawicki
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 12:21amDo you know how difficult that song is?? Can you imagine the pressure he was under?? Still better than Roseanne!!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 11:16amI give people a break when they have trouble hitting the notes … not when they don’t know the words!
Report Post »North49
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 12:20amat least he has good hair…
Report Post »LowIQGenius
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 12:20amI kind of feel bad for him… Honestly, I’d choke in front of that many people.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 12:40amI thought he was a “professional” … I don’t think it was a choke .. I agree with others they don’t learn the patriotic songs in the state run schools anymore .. I wonder how many don’t even know the pledge?
Report Post »crackerone
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 8:06amProbably grew up on the left coast?
Report Post »av8trx
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 1:15pmIf you are a professional, you don’t get nervous in front of that many folks.
Report Post »Conserving Ink
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 12:18amHow could he know it? He’s young enough that he was never taught this patriotic stuff in the government run schools.
Report Post »_________________________________________________________________
http://conserving-ink.blogspot.com/2010/12/government-we-didnt-elect.html
TrueToTheCoreAmerican
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 12:24amAgreed. Liberalism steering our kids away from the foundation of the country. They’re too busy handing out condoms and teaching six year olds sex education. Our education system is a complete disaster but then look at what and I do me WHAT we have teaching. This was shameful. We all make mistakes but NOT when it really matters most. My advice for this guy is get an ear piece and have someone feed you the lyrics or at least lip sync.
Report Post »lbsm
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 12:34ami agree also…this is likely one of the first times, if not the first that he has ever performed it. hell, we aren’t even teaching children the pledge anymore!!!
Report Post »prage2001
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 1:57amI was lucky enough to go through high school in the late 80‘s and 90’s in a small town in Pa. I take pride in the fact that my entire 7th -12th grade time in that school, at every sporting event, the National Anthem was sung or performed (an instrument of some type) by a student or students. Not once was it played from a recording. Some of the performances were less that stellar but it was the mission of our school chorus to do this. My eternal thanks to the woman who pushed us to do this, Mrs. Obert, one of the finest educators in my past. Thank you.
Report Post »TommyBrownell
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 2:23am@LBSM: My 7 year old actually lead a school assembly in the Pledge for Veteran’s Day (with real Veterans, not just a token gesture) this year. They’re still teaching it…in the right parts of the country…(Rural Oklahoma for the win!)
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 3:32amYou are right – its those liberal schools that don’t teach crap about American anymore – everyone should home school – the liberals are ruining our school system!! http://maboulette.wordpress.com
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 3:58amIt was more important for him read about gay penguins and why Tommy has two mommies
Report Post »sbenard
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 12:16amI‘ll bet he won’t be invited back anytime soon! What a disgrace!
Next time, sing the 3rd verse. It’s the best one anyway!
Report Post »USA_Exceptionalism
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 6:54amI love how you could hear Americans singing it in the crowd!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 12:15amWay to blow it guys.
Report Post »GeauxAlready
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 6:19amWell that sucked for air…………..
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 6:41amNerves or just Socialism slowly creeping in? I suggest the latter…
Report Post »HillBillySam1
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 7:50amHis bandmates looked really happy with him. Perhaps auditions today for new lead singer?? As impressive as he was, he pales in comparison to Lt. Frank Drebbin of Police Squad in the first “Naked Gun” movie. Classic.
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 8:01amMaybe they should have borrowed a teleprompter from Obama?
Report Post »Cemoto78
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 8:15amCome on everyone, we all make mistakes; look who we have for president!
Report Post »Marcobob69
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 8:41amAnother product of the “uber left”????? He probably believed Obama when he said there are 57 states!
Report Post »Armed Patriot
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 9:03amGet the hell off the field, loser.
Report Post »SpklerMan
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 9:09amAnd they got another country award show, How sad!!!
Report Post »ozchambers
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 9:24amThis is a great way to kill a Country music career. On the other hand this rendition is a HUGE hit in the San Francisco area.
Report Post »Jedi2112
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 10:32amTo quote the great Harry Carey, “Holy Cow!” These guys suck so badly! The singer must have been thinking, “Oh say can you see by the…uh…let me be clear…there is…uh…Bush…eh..hmmm…Barack Hussein Obama…Mmmm, Mmmm, Mmmm…”
Report Post »pantcor66
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 11:31amI saw a Marine there in uniform…He should have walked over there, snatched the mike away from that idiot and sang it correctly! Never fear, a Marine will GET ER DONE!!
Report Post »NFYRx
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 11:49amWhen did male country singers start looking like lesbians?
Report Post »JGP
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 6:52pmVideo removed so I couldn’t see it. These boys are from the Dallas area. Seen them perform a couple of times down here in South Texas. They are really very good.
This from their web site:
National Anthem Apology
The Eli Young Band would like to apologize to the fans in attendance at this weekend’s Kansas City Chiefs game, as well as anyone who was offended by the performance. Lead singer Mike Eli has performed the Anthem at numerous sporting events (including the 2010 NCAA Cotton Bowl Classic) and was honored when asked to perform at their fist NFL game at Arrowhead Stadium. Severe technical difficulties combined with nerves threw the singer off track and got the best of him.
“I’d like to apologize to the Kansas City Chiefs and their fans,” said Eli. “I was hoping to give you a better performance. I take singing our National Anthem very seriously and look forward to singing it again in the future. I promise to knock it out of the park the next time!”
Report Post »akim
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 9:49pmHe probabally deliberatly sang it poorly.
Report Post »HillBillySam1
Posted on December 7, 2010 at 10:47pm@JGP
Report Post »The lead singer apologizes for messing up the lyrics to the National Anthem at an NFL game and uses a baseball metaphor to show that he is no longer confused?? He must still be having “severe technical difficulties”.