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KC in the Afternoon

KC in the Afternoon

KC in the Afternoon

5 Country Artists Who Should Do The Super Bowl Halftime Show

By KC Atkins
Chris Stapleton did the Super Bowl LVII National Anthem. But is it time for him to get the big stage at halftime?

With the NFL season back in full swing, many football fans – and country music fans – are already looking ahead and asking the age-old question: who should do the Super Bowl Halftime show? It’s the topic of much debate around this time every year, and this year is no different. Speculations have been circulating since the preseason, and according to OutKick some popular names have already been contacted. Artists like Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles, Miley Cyrus, and Jay-Z are rumored to be in the running.

But sadly, one genre that is often overlooked for Halftime show contention is country music. This article by Saving Country Music points out the nearly 30-year gap since the last country performance at the Super Bowl (Clint Black, Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt, and Wynonna Judd at Super Bowl XXVIII). The article also advocates for some country representation at next year’s Super Bowl game in Las Vegas.

I couldn’t agree more. For added perspective, the last country-centric Halftime show happened a full month before I was even born. That is far too long to go without showing country fans some love at the Super Bowl Halftime show. This is especially egregious when you consider how country has dominated the charts this year. As Billboard notes, artists like Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen and Zach Bryan have been shattering records this year and bringing country to the mainstream in ways the genre hasn’t seen in decades.

The message is clear: it’s high time for another countryfied Super Bowl Halftime show. But the real question is: who? I have a few names in mind for who I think could realistically be chosen for the gig. I promise this isn’t just a list of country artists I personally enjoy the most. I’m trying to remain as objective as possible, and only approach it in terms of who could best represent the country genre in a fun and accessible way on such a ginormous platform.

Here’s the artists that come to mind when I think of potentially amazing Halftime show performances:

  • Luke Combs

     

    Luke Combs is a name that comes up quite often in country circles when discussing Halftime worthy country acts, and it’s not hard to see why. As someone who’s been to many of his concerts, I can personally attest that Luke would put on an electrifying performance at Super Bowl LVIII. And plus, with how the Panthers are looking so far this season, Luke may be our only chance at getting some NC representation at the Big Game.

  • Carrie Underwood

     

     

    The fact that Carrie hasn’t already been given the Halftime stage by now is simply baffling. Not only is she a dazzling and commanding presence onstage, but she has close ties to the NFL already. The organization features many of Carrie’s songs in promotional material, including her new song “Waiting All Day For Sunday Night.” It feels like Carrie is always the Halftime bridesmaid, but now it’s time for her to be the bride.

  • Zac Brown Band

     

    If you’re looking for a full ensemble act to entertain the Las Vegas crowd next year, look no further than Zac Brown Band! They’ve got the name recognition to appease longstanding country fans, and I feel their catalogue is diverse enough to attract new fans while putting on a stellar Halftime performance.

  • Chris Stapleton

     

    Chris Stapleton can truly do it all. He’s a tried and true country artist that appeals to younger and older generations alike, which I think makes him a perfect choice for the job! Plus, he absolutely killed it at last year’s Super Bowl with his powerful rendition of the National Anthem. AND he’s the voice of the new Monday Night Football song. It’s a match made in Heaven.

  • Brooks & Dunn

     

    I know this one’s a long shot but hear me out. The Halftime show isn’t always exclusive to young up-and-coming artists. On the contrary, it can be (and has been) used as a platform for older, more seasoned performers to reintroduce their hits to an entirely new generation. You’re gonna tell me Brooks & Dunn are out of the question when I’ve seen The Who take the Super Bowl stage in my lifetime?

    As Brooks & Dunn have proven over the years through their collabs with artists like Luke Combs, Kane Brown, and Brett Young, the legendary duo still have plenty of gas left in the tank. If you want a dose of country nostalgia at the Halftime show, by all means let these men COOK.

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