Six Country Stars We Want to See Perform the National Anthem at Nashville Predators Playoff Game
The Preds, as Nashvillians dubbed them, will be taking on the St. Louis Blues for the first time ever in a postseason matchup.
In a historic sweep of a lifetime, the Nashville Predators climbed their way to victory and officially moved on to the second round of the NHL Playoffs.
The Preds, as Nashvillians dubbed them, will be taking on the St. Louis Blues for the first time ever in a postseason match-up, with the first game hosted in the Missouri city. Although a home crowd may sound like an advantage for the opposing team, the Predators plan to continue riding the wind of their unprecedented streak against the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks.
With all of this hockey speak going on, country fans can rejoice in the surprise highlights from both Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan as they took on the task of singing the National Anthem before games three and four during round one of the Playoffs. That only means one thing for the home games on deck in Music City within the next week: more country artists will hopefully make their way to the rink within Bridgestone Arena to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Although there isn’t any confirmation on who is set to honor America with their stellar vocals, Sounds Like Nashville decided to make their predictions known as to who would make the best appearance in the Smashville venue.
Here are the six country stars we hope take that ice for an opening vocal performance like none other to kick off the Predators Playoff glory:
Vince Gill is a proud and dedicated Nashvillian. Calling Music City his home for the past couple decades, he’s become a solid fixture in all things sports around the area. Particularly, fans can find the country crooner sitting along the glass when it comes to rooting on Mike Fisher and the guys. With a voice as smooth as freshly-groomed ice, Gill would score a major goal among fans with his rendition.
Give him a jersey, and Dierks Bentley is set to be Smashville’s sixth man. Bentley crashed the fourth game in round one of the NHL Playoffs to catch his buddy, Luke Bryan, perform the Anthem before rooting on the boys in blue and gold to take it all. While Bentley hasn’t been one in the past to perform our nation’s song, there’s no doubt that he would make even Gnash (the Preds’ trusty mascot) shed a tear.
Does Reba even need an explanation for this position? She’s Nashville’s and country music’s national treasure, so it would make perfect sense for the red-headed diva to take control and slay us all with her incredible vocal range. We’d definitely ‘Fancy’ that, if you pardon the pun.
Ok, ok, we know Keith Urban is Australian. But after gaining citizenship to the United States officially and becoming a true American by singing the summer hit, “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16,” he would make the crowd proud with his outstanding voice. Bonus points added for the fact he’s got a song with Fisher’s wife, Carrie Underwood, and can shred on guitar.
They’ve already proved how in-sync they are while performing at the National College Football Championship game, but Little Big Town can bring that magic back into Bridgestone Arena to boost up morale before the Preds beat their way to another round of playoffs against the Blues.
Two words: Faith Hill. Is there really another explanation needed for someone like her to sing The National Anthem before a big event such as the Nashville Predators playing? She’d be the true MVP to lend her vocals to that of the playoff games, and we wouldn’t hate if husband Tim McGraw came through with the ultimate assist to that goal.
The Nashville Predators battle the St. Louis Blues in the second round of the NHL Playoffs on Wednesday, April 26, at 8 p.m. ET. The Preds return to their home turf on Sunday, April 30 at 2 p.m. CT.
