Cayla Masters
Well, Luke Bryan singing “The Star Spangled Banner” during this year’s Super Bowl Sunday is certainly our kind of night!
“I’m so excited to announce that I will be performing the National Anthem at Super Bowl LI live from NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas right here on FOX, Sunday February 5th,” the country singer announced on Instagram Sunday.
“I said, ‘Hell yes, I’ll do it!’” he shared with PEOPLE when asked to fulfill the duties of singing the anthem. “Is the anthem challenging? Yes. Is it nerve-wracking? Yes. But, I moved to Nashville to follow my dreams and singing the national anthem on that stage doesn’t get any bigger.”
Bryan also looks at the performance as a way to show his patriotism. “I never served in the military — that’s something I wish I had had the opportunity to do, but I feel like this is my way of honoring my country. It’s a little chance to serve.”
The “Crash My Party” singer is no stranger to when it comes playing in front of stadium-sized audiences. In addition, he is a two-time Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year with a total of 17 No. 1 singles to date.
Bryan joins an elite group of performers who have previously sang the anthem for football’s biggest night, including Lady Gaga, Billy Joel, Garth Brooks, Diana Ross, Cher, Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera and Whitney Houston. Gaga is also slated to headline the 2017 halftime show.
Super Bowl LI airs on Fox Sunday, February 5, at 6:30 p.m. ET.
