UPDATE (6:50p ET): Turns out Chesney said last Friday that he wanted the gig.
Speculation is already heating up in the music industry about who will be the 2011 Super Bowl halftime musical act at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas.
(Chesney is friends with Peyton Manning)
Before I get to the candidates, let me clarify exactly who will make the call on the halftime show: Charles Coplin, Vice President of Programming for the NFL and Lawrence Randall, the NFL’s director of programming. (Believe it or not, 2011 Super Bowl host Jerry Jones will have very little influence on who gets the gig.)
Coplin talked about the Super Bowl halftime show to Reuters last week, including his criteria for selecting the act:
“We stay away from overexposed acts. When was the last time you saw the Who on TV? We like acts whose songs are very familiar to people of all ages, all demographics.
“There are other acts who do wonderful things and their music is tremendous, but it’s not always as anthemic and explosive, and when you’re doing something like the Super Bowl, those two words are really vital parts of making a show come to life.”
So who will be privileged the gig at Cowboys Stadium? My source said it’s a virtual lock that the NFL will go country for the big game in Dallas next February. To the end, I was also provided the five most likely candidates.
On the subject of possible acts, my source offered up five candidates:
1) Kenny Chesney
2) Garth Brooks
3) Tim McGraw
4) Brooks & Dunn
5) Jimmy Buffett
My source didn’t think any female acts would be under serious consideration, though he threw out the Dixie Chicks as a long shot.
Now think back to Coplin’s earlier comment about criteria for selection. He said that the act should be “explosive,” have “anthemic” songs and not be “overexposed.”
Of the above acts, Brooks probably fits that description best and he has the most history with the NFL. But that might actually not be a good thing.
He sang the national anthem for the ‘93 Super Bowl, but ABC NEWS reports that he, “threatened to leave the stadium minutes before he was scheduled to perform unless NBC played his new video.”
That development led the NFL to require all future anthem singers have a backup tape.
In 2007, I reported that Brooks was the NFL’s top choice to play the 2008 Super Bowl halftime show, but when negotiations “broke down,” the league gave the gig to The Eagles.
As for Chesney, I was also told that his “wandering around Miami” at Super Bowl festivities last week wasn’t a coincidence. (Chesney appeared on ESPN’s Super Bowl pregame show.) Though a football fan and friend of Saints Coach Sean Payton and Colts QB Peyton Manning, my source said Chesney was also there quietly “lobbying” the league for consideration for the 2011 halftime gig.
When you consider Chesney’s enthusiasm for the league and Brooks’ previous, rocky relationship with the NFL, perhaps that gives Chesney an edge if it comes down to those two.
That doesn’t mean that Chesney will get the gig, but if the NFL does indeed go country, he’ll definitely gain heavy consideration. (When the call is made, as in past years here, there’s a good chance you’ll be among the first to know.)
As for the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl, the early betting will be heavy on John Mellencamp. Likewise Harry Connick, Jr., at the 2013 New Orleans Super Bowl.
Sounds reasonable, eh?
My source shot them both down: “(Mellencamp and Connick) aren’t big enough nationally. Locality means nothing to the NFL as its a world wide broadcast.“
5:35 pm on February 8th, 2010
Don’t discount George Strait next year either.
5:39 pm on February 8th, 2010
Howard Stern discussed a number of potential options for 2011 on his show today. Pearl Jam would be great, though going country makes sense. Garth Brooks would be the first name I’d think of for that genre.
6:10 pm on February 8th, 2010
What about Jackie the Jokeman Martling?
6:28 pm on February 8th, 2010
How many living members of Led Zeppelin are left?
6:28 pm on February 8th, 2010
I’d think the Lil’ Basard is a lock on the Indy Super Bowl, particulary if they felt “The Who” was relevant.
LOL that they kept boring in on Ringo’s kid ’cause Pete and Roger don’t fly in HD…
6:30 pm on February 8th, 2010
Sorry, “Bastard”, not “Basard”. and what about Jim Nabors?
6:35 pm on February 8th, 2010
I think you’re wrong Brooks, they should go with Houston native Paul Wall.
7:11 pm on February 8th, 2010
An act not “overexposed”… they must be British, in their 60’s and not sing worth a $hit anymore!! Honestly, these halftimes shows are a blight on the whole Super Bowl.
9:17 pm on February 8th, 2010
AC/DC
9:25 pm on February 8th, 2010
What, done with limeys? Replace them with Irish? U2 could probably squeeze in 2-3 superbowl half-time shows before they hang it up.
10:21 pm on February 8th, 2010
“We stay away from overexposed acts. When was the last time you saw the Who on TV?
Umm VH1 Rock Honors last year. Jackass.
1:02 am on February 9th, 2010
PLEASE forward our request to NFL’s Charles Coplin and Lawrence Randall that they consider the band Journey. Please read posts to this link http://arnelpinedarocks.com/forum/index.php?f=17&t=1376&rb_v=viewtopic
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
emma
1:20 am on February 9th, 2010
honestly, a half time show with country would be BORING
get that lil old band from Texas
ZZ TOP!
4:14 am on February 9th, 2010
Van Halen
8:48 am on February 9th, 2010
I could see ZZ Top or Garth Brooks being the choice
11:47 am on February 9th, 2010
Lobbying for the job is one sure way to prevent Chesney from getting it. Is he stupid or something? I like his music and he’s a great performer in concert, but the last thing the NFL wants are music performers begging for spots as half-time entertainment ad nauseum.
12:17 pm on February 9th, 2010
Dolly Parton…great music wrote lots of hits and she has nice brooks missles
1:17 pm on February 9th, 2010
If they have to go country, how about Willie. Otherwise, Led Z.
Will, U2 did it in ‘06. Though they could do the next 5 and I wouldn’t mind.
2:24 pm on February 9th, 2010
keep country out of football! you already have the monday night intro that should be all you get! NO NO NO
2:37 pm on February 9th, 2010
gay people are getting more and more mainstream everyday..so why not have one of their most beloved perform his little show!
2:54 pm on February 9th, 2010
Montgomery Gentry!!!!!!!!!!
3:14 pm on February 9th, 2010
Why not Rascal Flatts?
3:15 pm on February 9th, 2010
The National Anthem should be sung by someone who’s got a Soul- like voice. The 42nd Superbowl National Anthem was sung by Jordan Sparks brought tears and chills to the players and anyone who heard her sang. I love Carrry Underwood, but she didn’t bring her best game last Sunday. Potential candidates for 2011 Superbowl N. A. singer should be….Jordan Sparks/ Christina Aguillera/ Faith Hill/ Mary J. Blige/ Beyonce/ Maria Carey/ Celine Dion/ Nicole Scherzinget….etc. Just my opinion ;- >
8:30 pm on February 9th, 2010
rob zombie….a true american
3:28 pm on February 20th, 2010
ONLINE PETITION for Journey to Perform for 2011 Super Bowl XLV Halftime Show.
Tthank you very much for teaming up with us
and please extend the invitation to others.
Sincerely,
emma
3:34 pm on February 20th, 2010
ONLINE PETITION for Journey to Perform for 2011 Super Bowl XLV Halftime Show http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?JY2011SB&1
Thank you very much for teaming up with us and please extend the invitation to others.
8:57 pm on March 2nd, 2010
How about ZZ Top?
8:04 am on March 26th, 2010
CHESNEY. PERIOD. HE WILL ROCK.