Simply glorious.
It’s been a long time since we’ve had a country act perform at the Super Bowl, and Shania Twain was the last country artist to headline the show in 2003… so it’s been over 20 years, and right now, country music is as popular as it has ever been, which makes me hopeful that maybe next year we might finally see another country artist, or artists, back at halftime.
This year, rapper Kendrick Lamar (featuring SZA) will do the honors for the big concert, and of course, many country artists have been tapped for the National Anthem as of late like Chris Stapleton, Eric Church, and Reba come to mind right away, but that’s simply not the same and can honestly hurt more than it helps… I mean, that’s a massive audience and a hard enough song to sing as it is. Obviously, Stapleton’s was legendary, but generally the Anthem is more of a risk than it’s worth, especially on that type of scale.
But there was one country performance that I always like to go back and watch as we approach the Super Bowl, and that would be the 1994 edition that featured some of country music’s biggest 90’s country stars, including Clint Black, Wynonna and Naomi Judd, Travis Tritt and Tanya Tucker, teamed up for a kicka** show, officially (and rightfully) billed as Rockin’ Country Sunday.
Clint Black opened the concert with “Tuckered Out,” and Tanya Tucker followed him with “It’s A Little Too Late,” before Travis took the stage with his hit “T-R-O-U-B-L-E.” That was a highlight, and I am still obsessed with his blue fringe outfit. Wynonna then performed solo for “No One Else On Earth,” and was joined by Naomi (which was a surprise to the crowd) and the rest of the group for “Love Can Build a Bridge,” which was another beautiful standout moment.
It was The Judd’s first major appearance together since their Farewell Tour of 1991, and the whole entire show was incredible from top to bottom.
If we’re being realistic, and a country act was to headline again, it would probably be some sort of Post Malone and Morgan Wallen combo, which I actually wouldn’t be made about… from a commercial standpoint, that makes the most sense, and they both put on high-energy live shows, so I think it would it would translate well in that type of setting.
It honestly would be hard to top 1994, though, and fans in the YouTube comments seem to agree… and there’s plenty more like this if you scroll through quickly:
“Need more Super Bowl halftime shows like this.”
“Ahh…back when country music was on top! The early 90’s were such an amazing time for the genre (and it actually sounded like country music, too), and this was around the tail end of that era. If only country music and halftime shows could still be this good.”
“I’ve never heard such a roar of applause as when the Judd’s sang together.. it’s because we all just want love. Well sang girls.”
“That was the best half time there ever has been, up to date.”
“I wish they’d do another halftime show like this one!!! All great artists!!!”
“Now that’s a halftime show!!!”
“Back when the halftime shows were great and made sense.”
It’s so true… what I would give to go back in time and be in the stadium for this:
And Shania’s was awesome too… check it out:
