Backstage Country

Country Stars At The Kentucky Derby: Luke, Miranda, Morgan

When Carly Pearce sings the national anthem at the 149th Kentucky Derby on Saturday (5/6), she will walk the derby red carpet and continue a long-standing tradition of country stars…

Country Stars At Kentucky Derby: Luke, Miranda, Wynonna
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

When Carly Pearce sings the national anthem at the 149th Kentucky Derby on Saturday (5/6), she will walk the derby red carpet and continue a long-standing tradition of country stars that travel North of Nashville to attend the famous Kentucky Derby.

Carly is the thirteenth major artist to perform the "Star-Spangled Banner" at the iconic horse race. Expected to reach more than 16 million fans worldwide, the performance will take place just after 5:00 p.m. EDT and be broadcast live as part of NBC's Kentucky Derby coverage.

Pearce posted to Instagram, "Being from Kentucky, this is a major bucket list moment for me! I'm so excited to announce I will be performing the National Anthem at the 149th @kentuckyderby. Tune in to NBC on May 6 to catch my performance ahead of the Run for the Roses. @churchilldowns #KentuckyDerby #ChurchillDowns #KD149 #KentuckyDerby149 #NationalAnthem #KyDerby."

See that post here.

Let's look at country music royalty spending a weekend at the Kentucky Derby over the years.

Luke and Caroline Bryan - 2013

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Luke Bryan and Caroline Boyer at the GREY GOOSE Red Carpet Lounge at the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2013 in Louisville, Kentucky.


Dierks Bentley - 2014

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Dierks Bentley toasts with Moet & Chandon at the 140th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky.


Brothers Osborne - 2014

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T.J. Osborne (L) and John Osborne of Brothers Osborne toast with Moet & Chandon at the 140th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky.


Terri Clark - 2018

GettyImages-955064018.jpgMichael Loccisano/Getty Images

Terri Clark attends Kentucky Derby 144 on May 5, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky.


Eddie Montgomery - 2018

GettyImages-955082942.jpgRobin Marchant/Getty Images

Jennifer Montgomery and musician Eddie Montgomery attends Kentucky Derby 144 on May 5, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky.


Brooks & Dunn - 2018

GettyImages-955091234.jpgDia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn attend Kentucky Derby 144 on May 5, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky.


Lady A - 2016

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Dave Haywood, Hillary Scott, and Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum attend the 142nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 07, 2016 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Churchill Downs)


Sam Hunt and Morgan Wallen - 2022

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Sam Hunt and Morgan Wallen attend the 148th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 07, 2022 in Louisville, Kentucky.


Miranda Lambert - 2013

GettyImages-168032663.jpgMike Coppola/Getty Images

Miranda Lambert signs the Moet & Chandon 6L for the Churchill Downs Foundation during the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2013 in Louisville, Kentucky.


Wynonna Judd - 2016

GettyImages-528694892.jpgFrazer Harrison/Getty Images

Cactus Moser (L) and Wynonna Judd attend Unbridled Eve Gala during the 142nd Kentucky Derby on May 6, 2016 in Louisville, Kentucky.