NEWS
By Mary Gail Hare, The Baltimore Sun | July 11, 2010
Maryland will revel in its War of 1812 history with a two-year celebration of the pivotal battles, enduring sites and hometown heroes that played a role in the conflict that culminated in America's defeat of the world's strongest military force. Boston remembers annually the events that sparked the Revolutionary War and Virginia recently marked the 400 t h anniversary of its founding at Jamestown. Now the 200-year-old war with the British that ultimately ended on Maryland's shores will take on renewed significance as communities across the state focus on stories many have forgotten.
NEWS
February 10, 2011
In response to Mary Lou Wickham's letter regarding Christina Aguilera's dreadful rendition of the National Anthem ( "Christina Aguilera: spreading the gospel of tacky ignorance," Feb. 8), I couldn't agree more! The Super Bowl was televised around the world, including to our troops in various locations who are always respectful of what it means to them and us. It was an embarrassment to hear her bastardize a song that should be sung as it was written! I noticed a number of the players being distracted, jumping up and down and not paying too much attention to someone who was more intent on glorifying herself.
ENTERTAINMENT
By Chuck Schilken and Sports Now, Los Angeles Times | January 23, 2012
Steven Tyler turned in a beautiful rendition of the national anthem before Sunday's AFC Championship between the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens -- that's "beautiful," the word that lost all meaning last year when Tyler used it to describe pretty much every "American Idol" performance, good or bad. And Tyler's rendition of our anthem definitely qualifies as the latter. It may not have been the worst version ever (although I'll leave that up to you to decide), but we're talking about a legendary singer who is now paid to judge other people's singing abilities.
SPORTS
By Candus Thomson | April 10, 2010
At 2:53:42 Friday afternoon, thousands of Orioles fans committed an act of patriotic blasphemy. Or engaged in a show of loyalty to the hometown team on Opening Day. To "O" or not to "O," that has been the question since, well, when? Sometime in the 1970s, fans and Mike Gesker, author of The Orioles Encyclopedia, seem to agree. But there the agreement ends. Like the debate about the worthiness of playing "Thank God, I'm a Country Boy" during the seventh-inning stretch, the "O" argument goes round and round, getting stuck every couple of years like a phonograph needle on an old record.
ENTERTAINMENT
By Tim Smith, The Baltimore Sun | January 10, 2012
Just before the Ravens face the Houston Texans Sunday, they will hear a familiar voice - other than John Harbaugh's, that is. It will be the smooth, vibrant baritone of Mishael Miller, who has sung the national anthem for Ravens home games since the first one in 1996. "It has definitely been a blessing," Miller, 41, said. "I meet people weekly who recognize me. I never thought it would have been the anthem that people would know me for, or that I would become a staple in this area as a result of singing it. " With an octave-and-a-half range, "The Star-Spangled Banner" has defeated many an amateur and professional singer.
NEWS
February 8, 2011
There ought to be a law. Pop/rock singers and other celebrities who think they can sing should not be allowed to sing the national anthem, especially at large nationally televised venues. The latest insult to our national anthem was at this year's Super Bowl. Time and time again, event promoters make the same mistake, and the performance becomes the subject of ridicule even before the final note is sung. There are three basic reasons why this is not a good idea. First, celebrities all too often forget the words.