Miss Blige and the National Anthem

Mary J. Blige sang the national anthem at the start of the Word Series last night.  The rule always seems that we slam those who make a mistake and ignore those who do a good job.  That being said, I would like to take the opportunity to say ‘Well done’ to Miss Blige.

Furthermore, I think it was fairly obvious to the average observer, as the cameras focused on her in the seconds before she began to sing, that Miss Blige, accomplished, award winning vocalist though she may be, was a bit nervous.  I would suggest that that speaks all the better of her, that at one level she had the ‘butterflies’ of all professionals in the moments before they begin to perform – no matter what the profession: sports, singing, acting, medicine, the military in any of a score of fields – professionals all want to perform at their best; and in those few seconds before they begin, they do experience ‘butterflies.’

And, at another level, I suspect there is a slight additional increase in the ‘number of butterflies’ when you are getting ready to sing the national anthem.  Unless you are an arrogant and cynical soul, singing the national anthem will move you.  Doing so in front of tens of thousands (millions if you include the TV audience) even more so.  It seemed apparent to me that it moved Miss Blige.

And so, I would like to say to her: Thank You!  Great Job!