What is the Largest Audience I’ve Performed For?

As my music was getting launched in Virginia, I received an unexpected invitation to sing The National Anthem to open a NASCAR race at Martinsville Speedway, a moment I had once only dreamed of experiencing. I hadn’t seen a NASCAR race before, but I had heard stories of the passionate atmosphere and the excitement that filled the air during such events, which intensified my anticipation for the day. Arriving at the venue, I was struck by the sheer scale; there were over 50,000 people in attendance, plus several million more watching from home, creating an electrifying ambiance that was palpable. Timing was intricately synched for the television broadcast, and with every passing second, the anticipation built up within me. At last, I received my cue, and my heart raced with exhilaration. Thankfully, I had blown my pitch pipe just in time to start the Anthem in the key of E flat, allowing me to focus solely on delivering the performance. After that, my singing was a blur of emotion and adrenaline! But despite the whirlwind around me, the audience was wonderful, their energy infectious, and they seemed to genuinely enjoy the Anthem being sung without embellishments. I have always believed that it should be sung as written, honoring the tradition and respect it deserves, and in that moment, I felt I had fulfilled that belief while sharing a powerful experience with thousands of fans.