Youtube video at bottom of post
When it comes to singing America’s national anthem prior to a sporting event, too many artists leave the fans feeling cheated. That’s not the case with Oakland, NJ resident Danielle O’Keefe who is singing her way through the premier venues in the tri-state area.
O’Keefe, once again, took center stage to sing the The Star Spangled Banner – this time at Giants Stadium to start off a Giants football game. Danielle has sung previously at Shea Stadium for a Mets’ game, and at Madison Square Garden for a Rangers match.
For singers, the national anthem is not the easiest song to perform. The number of incidents where the singer flubs the lines, gives less than their best performance, or otherwise get themselves into a controversy continues to rise.
Michale Bolton got caught reading crib notes on his hand during a 2003 rendition of The Star Spangled Banner, and country singer Luke Bryan got caught doing the same in the summer of 2012. Christina Aguilera and Jesse McCartney are just two pop singers who messed up the words; and singers like Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and actress Roseanne Barr seemed to think screeching and screaming were the best methods for honoring America.
Danielle’s voice has the range and talent necessary to deliver the song, and the professionalism to get it done right.
The Star Spangled Banner was first penned by Francis Scott Key in September of 1814 as he witnessed the American flag still flying after a British attack on Baltimore’s Fort McHenry. It did not become the official anthem of the United States until 1931.
The tradition of playing the song began back around 1918, shortly after America’s entrance into WWI. The war and the popularity of baseball provided a perfect platform for displays of patriotism, but having a band at each game relegated the singing to special events.
During WWII, technology advances provided for speakers, recordings, and the singing of the national anthem became cemented in tradition.
This tradition of playing the American national anthem before a sporting event provides fans a few minutes to pause and remember that American soldiers are still presently engaged in active combat; it is also a reminder that although we all root for different teams, we stand united, one nation…
I dont know Danielle. But I do know the O’keefe family and as I sat in the stands and wiped the tears from my eyes i smacked the guy in front of me in the back of the head and said that’s my neighbor. It simply was amazing !