In January, 2021 it was announced that then-reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Eric Church would be performing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl with R&B artist Jazmine Sullivan.
At the time, no one knew how Church and Sullivan would approach their performance of the Anthem. Would they trade verses, or sing together?
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Fans finally got their questions answered when Church and Sullivan took to the field at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on the day of “The Big Game” (February 7).
Church opened the performance singing solo while strumming along on his guitar. Then, Sullivan jumped in for her own solo moment while Church continued playing his guitar to back her up.
The two singers jumped in and starting singing together once they reached the “And the rocket’s red glare” line. They kept singing together throughout the rest of the song.
Viewers praised on the duo’s performance on social media. “This was one of the best renditions I’ve heard in a while!! Gave me goosebumps…amazing job!!!” wrote one Twitter user named Stephanie.
Look below to see a few more reactions to Church and Sullivan’s performance.
This was Beautifully Done!!!!
— GLEN ROBINSON (@apostle_drglen) February 7, 2021
🇺🇸 Now THAT is how you do a National Anthem. Different artists. Different genres. Different styles. Blended to together to make one unified patriotic performance.
(Also, REMARKABLY hard to sing as a duet in a stadium with the audio delay. Big props.) @ericchurch @jsullivanmusic
— Meredith Stutz (@Meredith_Stutz) February 7, 2021
You two pulled off the BEST duet of our national anthem! @ericchurch 🇺🇲@jsullivanmusic 🇺🇲
— thollis7 (@thollis7) February 7, 2021
https://twitter.com/gmskelly06/status/1358558931333885954
Church was only the seventh-ever country artist to perform the National Anthem at the Super Bowl. The six other artists who previously had the honor were Charley Pride, Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, The Chicks, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan.
Mickey Guyton followed in his footsteps in 2022. She was named as the eighth country artist to perform the National Anthem before the “Big Game.”
If you missed Church and Sullivan’s National Anthem performance (or if you’d like to watch it again), check it out in the video below. You can tell they gave it their all!