After Home Run Derby Disaster, Ingrid Andress Returns To Sing National Anthem Again, And… People Still Didn’t Love It

Wes Langeler·
COUNTRY MUSICNEWS
·
Ingrid Andress

Tough crowd, eh?

Last July, country music singer Ingrid Andress turned in one of the worst national anthem performances in sports history at the MLB Home Run Derby. The performance immediately drew comparisons to Fergie’s infamous disaster of a performance several years ago, and many online were calling it one of the worst Star Spangled Banner performances they’ve ever heard.

Check it out:

There was plenty of criticism for Ingrid, especially after she was introduced as a 4-time Grammy nominee and then delivered a…well, not-Grammy worthy performance. And there was also speculation about what had gone wrong, whether it was an audio issue or whether she was sick. We know that Ingrid can sing, so the whole performance was quite baffling.

Shortly thereafter, she posted on her social media to address the performance, admitting that she was drunk and is checking herself into rehab to get the help that she needs. She also canceled all of her remaining shows last year.

“I’m not gonna bullsh*t y’all, I was drunk last night. I’m checking myself into a facility today to get the help I need. That was not me last night. I apologize to MLB, all the fans, and this country I love so much for that rendition. I’ll let y’all know how rehab is I hear it’s super fun.”

At the time, Andress’ music actually saw play increase of 50% following the botched “Star Spangled Banner,” and a number of fans in the country music community rallied around her.

And then last night, 7 months removed that disaster, she stepped to the mic at Denver’s Ball Center, ahead of the Colorado Avalanche Minnesota Wild game, to try it again…

Overall, fans thought it was much better than the previous go at it, but in the long line of national anthem singers, most thought she still needed some work. You have to imagine she was pretty damn nervous to try it again, but let’s be honest… we’ve all heard a number of singers do A LOT worse.

Here’s the reaction:

Tough crowd…

I mean, it wasn’t exactly flawless, but it was fine. It was fine. It’s a tough song to sing, and after Chris Stapleton’s Super Bowl performance, I’m not sure I’d ever want to try it again. You have to imagine some nerves were there too. Plus, Ingrid’s strength is also probably songwriting, she’s not known for being a powerhouse vocalist. Good singer, not a great one.

But credit where credit is due…  NOBODY would have the balls to try that again, especially just 7 months removed the first performance. I don’t care who you are or how well you can sing, most artists aren’t touching that ever again. She went out there and faced it head on, and did a fine job… respect.

Ingrid shared the performance from an alternate angle, and following the performance you could see she was just beaming with joy. Talk about throwing a massive weight off your shoulders.

“More Hearts Than Mine” is still fire though…

A beer bottle on a dock

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