New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Churchill Downs Racetrack today announced that Grammy Award-winning country music superstar
Jennifer Nettles will sing the national anthem at the 145th Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on Saturday, May 4, 2019. Nettles will also be a guest of the world-famous Barnstable Brown Derby Eve Gala.
Nettle's performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" will be broadcast live on NBC and take place in front of approximately 160,000 fans attending the 2019 Kentucky Derby. It will take place in the Kentucky Derby Winner's Circle just after 5:00 PM EDT, immediately prior to the historic race.
"Jennifer Nettles is a country music and vocal powerhouse," said
Kevin Flanery, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack. "We are excited and honored for her to perform our national anthem for the millions of viewers and fans around the world who tune in on Derby day."
Nettles is the eleventh artist to perform the national anthem since Churchill Downs began the tradition in 2009. Notable artists and vocalists who have performed the national anthem at the Kentucky Derby include
Pentatonix (2018),
Harry Connick, Jr. (2017),
Lady Antebellum (2016),
Josh Groban (2015),
Jo Dee Messina (2014),
Martina McBride (2013),
Mary J. Blige (2012),
Jordin Sparks (2011),
Rascal Flatts (2010) and Lee Ann Rimes (2009).
Jennifer Nettles has become one of the most admired singer-songwriters in music today. She has won five ASCAP awards for her songwriting abilities and received a Grammy® Award, Academy of Country
Music (ACM) Award and Country
Music Association (CMA) Award for penning the emotionally charged, #1 PLATINUM hit, "Stay." At the 2009 ACM Awards, Jennifer was honored with the "Crystal
Milestone Award" for being the first female artist to be the solo songwriter on an ACM "Song of the Year" winner since 1972. As a solo artist, she released the critically acclaimed albums "
Playing With Fire" and "To Celebrate Christmas" on Big Machine Records.
Jennifer makes up one half of the international duo
Sugarland who exploded onto the music scene in 2004.
Sugarland has earned eight #1 singles, over 22 million in worldwide record sales and racked up numerous awards from the Grammys, American
Music Awards, the ACM, The CMA and CMT
Music Awards.
In February 2015 Jennifer made her Broadway debut as Roxy Hart in the Tony Award-winning, record-breaking musical, Chicago, and joined the cast of the NBC
Dolly Parton television biopic, 'Coat of Many Colors,' which aired to rave reviews in December 2015.
For More Information on Jennifer Nettles
Official Website: https://www.jennifernettles.com/
YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsjoWkUdxNvYE-jStZiEWzA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferNettlesMusic/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JenniferNettles