Don’t sully national anthem
Our national anthem is not a country-western song or a spiritual; nor is it jazz. I am deeply offended whenever a so-called artist tries to personalize our song. It was written with one tune and one set of words. It is a representation of our country. It does not deserve to be trivialized by people seeking only a name for themselves. It was written and adopted to give strength and comfort. It is not a song to be treated lightly.
Talent coordinators everywhere should review their policy of accepting performers, and if they trivialize my song then cut them off and play a prerecorded version that is true to the intent of Francis Scott Key.
Leave my song alone, and go write your own if you desire to have your heritage, religion or race come through. I hear these renditions at college basketball games, baseball games, races, etc. Enough already, leave my song alone.
Also, show respect for this great song and its meaning by staying quiet during the entire song. Don’t cheer because someone can hit and hold a high note. Instead, cheer for those who do it correctly.
Bill Tibbits
Liberty Lake