Carly Pearce is headed to the Derby.
The Kentucky native just announced that she’ll be singing the National Anthem at the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby, which will take place on May 6th just after 5PM. EDT, and will be broadcast live as part of NBC’s Kentucky Derby coverage.
She told People that she’s one of the few artists who isn’t afraid of singing the anthem, saying she’s “pretty comfortable” with it since she’s used to singing a capella:
“I am one of the weirdos that isn’t afraid to sing the National Anthem. You either enjoy doing it or you don’t. I really enjoy singing it and it’s not something that scares me.
I’m pretty comfortable with it. And I don’t know if that’s my background singing bluegrass where there’s a lot of a capella.
I just think that I’m very aware of my voice, and I’m very aware of how to sing acapella.”
She also previously performed it at the World Series a couple years ago.
And of course, Carly also called this a “major bucket list moment” being from the Bluegrass state, and I’m sure she will absolutely crush it:
“Being from Kentucky, this is a major bucket list moment for me! I’m so excited to announce I will be performing the National Anthem at the 149th @KentuckyDerby.
Tune into NBC on May 6 to catch my performance ahead of the Run for the Roses® 🌹🏇 @ChurchillDowns.”
Carly teased the announcement on Instagram a few days ago, sharing the hat she’ll be wearing on Derby day, and honestly, I’m just as excited to see her outfit and what she wears for the performance:
And in fact, Carly wanted to be there to sing the anthem so badly, that she’ll be flying into Kentucky the day before the event, but right back out later after the performance for a show in Mississippi she has later that night.
Carly also recently scored her fourth career #1 single at country radio with “What He Didn’t Do”:
