Wednesday, June 8, 2016

The anthem, rock and roll style

TWO WEEKS AGO I wrote about playing the national anthem at the Illinois Veterans Home as part of a Memorial Day event. I was really nervous. And I was shaking when I sang it in front of a packed house of veterans, family members and dignitaries.

I think it went well. Singing the national anthem and writing for a newspaper are a lot alike - if nobody says anything when you are done, well, you are getting it done. Nobody threw anything or complained, so I'm calling it good.

I haven't watched much of the Stanley Cup finals because I couldn't care less about San Jose or Pittsburgh, but Sheryl thoughtfully turned Game 4 on the other night. I couldn't believe it - the guys from Metallica were there, and James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett played the national anthem on guitars.

I am not a huge Metallica fan, but I have a new respect for the band and those two guys after they did a straightforward and rousing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. Here's the clip below - you can feel the energy in the arena and you can tell the two guys had a blast.

Now THIS is a kick ass rendition! It's almost enough to make me want to learn it on guitar. Almost.


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