Which Nashville stars should sing national anthem at Predators NHL playoffs? Our picks
The Nashville Predators are competing in the 2024 playoffs where they will be laying it all out on the line for the NHL's Stanley Cup. Now, they have an important consideration to ponder: What Nashville stars will sing the national anthem at the home playoff games?
Local stars have hit the ice since 2017 to sing to arenas of fans in a tradition that has become a top-secret Nashville musical surprise.
More: Nashville Predators' NHL playoffs first-round schedule released vs. Vancouver Canucks
On Sunday, the Nashville Predators competed in the NHL playoffs first-round against the Vancouver Canucks. Game 1 took place in Vancouver at Rogers Arena, where the Predators lost to the Canucks. Game 2 will take place in Vancouver on Tuesday.
Nashville will host Games 3, on April 26, and Game 4, on April 28, and if needed, Game 6 on April 30.
The Predators have not won a playoff series since the 2017-18 season, when they defeated the Colorado Avalanche in the first round.
This is the first meeting between the Canucks and Predators in the playoffs since Vancouver beat Nashville in six games in 2011.
Who has sung the national anthem at Predators games in the past?
The tradition began in 2017 when the team asked Dennis K. Morgan, who routinely sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the team's regular season, to let some other celebs take the stage in his place for the playoffs.
Morgan was offended by the replacement and, midway through the playoffs, parted ways with the organization.
In 2017, some of the first stars to take the stage included Carrie Underwood, Trisha Yearwood, Faith Hill, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Martina McBride, Little Big Town, Vince Gill, Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban and Kelly Clarkson.
Others to perform include the Oak Ridge Boys, Sheryl Crow, Lady A, Dierks Bentley and Del McCroury, Maren Morris, Brad Paisley and Rascal Flatts in 2018; Gavin DeGraw, Vince Gill and Big and Rich in 2019.
In 2021, Urban graced the ice again.
Who we think should sing the anthem at the Preds playoffs in 2024
This year, we think the Predators should bring some of Nashville's biggest and brightest stars to the ice again. But—which rising artists or industry vets would be the best picks for the honor?
Perhaps Bailey Zimmerman, Jordan Davis or Cody Johnson will sing for crowds at Bridgestone Arena this season. Maybe Vince Gill, a known Nashville Predators fans, will hit the stage again. Other Predators fans include artists Jason Aldean, Chase Rice and Martina McBride.
Singer-songwriter Harry Hudson recently moved to Nashville and has been an outspoken Predators fan as well.
Hudson, a cancer survivor, runs a non-profit called "Hey, I'm Here For You." He even collaborated with the Preds to create merch in his charity's name. Maybe Hudson will hit the ice to perform this season.
But—we have some other ideas, too.
Here's The Tennessean's top five contenders to sing the national anthem this year.
5. HARDY
Nashville's rock-country favorite, HARDY, would be a top pick for Nashville fans to see in the arena.
Best known for songs "TRUCK BED," "ONE BEER" and "GIVE HEAVEN SOME HELL," HARDY has taken off over the past five years with his albums "A ROCK" and "the mockingbird & THE CROW." He most recently released a countrified cover of Snoop Dogg's "Gin & Juice."
Perhaps a gritty grunge-country version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" is in the cards this playoffs season.
4. Kings of Leon
The Nashville rock band Kings of Leon, known for hits "Sex on Fire," "Use Somebody" and "Closer," could bring a rock flare to the patriotic anthem.
The band released album "When You See Yourself" in 2021 and three songs from upcoming album "Can We Please Have Fun" on April 18. The band's new album, which was recorded in Nashville, will drop on May 10.
The band will also head out on a world tour on Aug. 14, with a Nashville stop at Bridgestone Arena on Sept. 26.
The group's deep Nashville roots would make them a perfect pick to kick off a Predators playoff game.
3. Megan Moroney
One of country's up-and-coming stars, and a self proclaimed, "emo cowgirl," Megan Moroney is another one of our choices.
Best known for hits "Tennessee Orange and "I'm Not Pretty," Moroney released album "Lucky" last year. In March, she released two singles, "No Caller ID" and "28th of June." She's become a country awards show darling and garnered an ever-growing fanbase.
Could Moroney be one of the artists to take the mic?
2. Lainey Wilson
Another one of The Tennessean's top picks is Lainey Wilson, the reigning CMA entertainer of the year.
Wilson, whose hits "Watermelon Moonshine," "Heart Like A Truck" and "Things A Man Oughta Know" have garnered her a cult following, has become of the biggest voices in the country music scene.
After sweeping at the CMA Awards, winning a CMT Award, and becoming a top nominee for the ACM's this year, Wilson's star is shining bright.
It would be no surprise to see her represent Nashville on the ice this year.
1. Jelly Roll
Our top pick to sing the national anthem at a Predators 2024 playoff game in Nashville is Jelly Roll.
The "Save Me" singer, also known for "Need A Favor" and "Son Of A Sinner," is beloved for his soulful voice, inspiring story and encouraging persona. His most recent release is "Best For Me" with Joyner Lucas.
He recently won big at the CMT Awards, taking home three trophies and delivering three impassioned speech upon each win.
Perhaps the Nashville singer, whose star has taken off over the past two years, will be one of the Predators' top picks to sing the anthem this year.
For more information on the Nashville Predators, follow along with The Tennessean reporter Alex Daugherty's coverage.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Preds playoffs: Jason Aldean, Vince Gill, more could sing in Nashville
