Jhené Aiko to Perform “America the Beautiful” at Super Bowl LVI

Posted on February 1, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Jhené Aiko is preparing for a beautiful moment…

The 33-year-old part-Spanish and Dominican American Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter will perform “America the Beautiful” before the start of the game at Super Bowl LVI on February 13.

Country star Mickey Guyton will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the game, while Sandra Mae Frank, who plays Dr. Wilder on NBC’s New Amsterdam, is set to perform both songs in American Sign Language on behalf of the National Association of the Deaf.

Also set to take the pregame stage is veteran gospel duo Mary Mary, who will accompanied by the LA Philharmonic’s Youth Orchestra Los Angeles on “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

Zedd will serve as the pregame DJ.

NBC will telecast the Big Game from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The NFL championship will pit the hometown Los Angeles Rams against the AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals.

The game will also air on Telemundo and stream live on Peacock.

Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar will headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show. The quintet, which never have appeared together onstage, have 43 Grammys and 22 No. 1 albums among them.

Devin Booker & Team USA Beat France for Men’s Basketball Gold at Tokyo Games

Posted on August 7, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a first taste of Olympic gold for Devin Booker…

The 24-year-old half-Mexican American professional basketball player, who plays for the Phoenix Suns, and his Team USA mates held off France 87-82 on Saturday to win the men’s basketball title at the 2020 Tokyo Games — ending a summer that started with sputters but closed with celebration.

Nothing about the summer was easy for Team USA, including the gold-medal game.

The Americans expected nothing less.

And in the end, their Olympic reign lives on.

Kevin Durant scored 29 points and joined Carmelo Anthony as the only three-time men’s gold medalists in Olympic history.

“Every championship is special, and the group you’re with is special, but I can be honest and say this is the most responsibility I’ve ever felt,” said U.S. coach Gregg Popovich, who adds this gold to five NBA titles he’s won as coach for the San Antonio Spurs.

“You’re playing for so many people that are watching, and for a country, and other countries involved. The responsibility was awesome. I felt it every day for several years now. I’m feeling pretty light now and looking forward to getting back to the hotel.”

Wine was awaiting, and so was a hero’s welcome from the U.S. women’s team — which plays for gold of its own Sunday — when the men returned to the team hotel. Later Saturday night, after Australia defeated Slovenia for the bronze, Popovich and the team returned to the arena for their gold medals. One player would drape the prize over another’s neck, then they watched the U.S. flag get raised and “The Star-Spangled Banner” blare for them one more time.

“Everybody was questioning us,” U.S. forward Draymond Green. “This is special.”

Durant sealed the win with two free throws with 8.8 seconds left, making the outcome academic. The lead was five, France’s final possession was irrelevant, and it was over. The U.S. players gathered for a hug at midcourt, Durant, Green and Bam Adebayo wrapped themselves in American flags, Popovich had a long hug with his assistants and the journey was complete.

Cristela Alonzo to Take Part in “America’s Changemakers” Event to Kick Off Five Nights of Presidential Inauguration Festivities

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Cristela Alonzo is preparing for a presidential presentation…

The Biden/Harris Presidential Inaugural Committee announced additional programming in advance of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on January 20, with the 42-year-old Mexican American comedian/actress taking part in the festivities.

The theme of the now five consecutive nights of events is “America United.”

On Saturday, January 16, Alonzo will take part in America United: An Inauguration Welcome Event Celebrating America’s Changemakers.

The event will “celebrate America, reflect and honor our history, and highlight the incredible diversity of the nation” and kick off the five days of programming.

In addition to Alonzo, the roster of participants includes Whoopi Goldberg, actor Nik Dodani, musician Darren Criss, Representative Grace Meng, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and the Resistance Revival Choir will participate. The Welcome Event will feature a special performance by Adrian Quesada and his Grammy-nominated Black Pumas. It’ll stream live from 7:00-8:30 pm ET at bideninaugural.org and on Presidential Inaugural Committee social media pages.

Also announced is United We Serve: A Celebration of the National MLK Day of Service on Monday, January 18. According to the news release, thousands of volunteers across the country will participate in the National Day of Service, which will then be celebrated by entertainers and inspiring speakers like Aloe Blacc, Rev. Dr. Bernice King, Martin Luther King III, Chesca, Rep. Sharice Davids, Rosario Dawson, Andra Day, Yo-Yo Ma, Rev. Al Sharpton, Sean Patrick Thomas, Diane Warren, Lynn Whitfield and Bebe Winans. The event will stream live from 8:00-9:00 pm ET at bideninaugural.org and on the inaugural committee’s social media pages.

Other events include the Memorial and Nationwide Tribute to Remember and Honor the Lives Lost to Covid-19 on Tuesday the 19th. At 5:30 pm ET, a D.C. ceremony will feature a lighting around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The inaugural committee has invited cities and towns around the country to join in illuminating buildings and ringing church bells.

Inauguration Day events include President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris laying wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery with former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton and the former First Ladies in attendance.

Tom Hanks will host the primetime Celebrating America special that will culminate the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

Along with appearances from the 46th POTUS and 49th VPOTUS, the Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss-produced 90-minute show will feature “The Star-Spangled Banner” courtesy of Lady Gaga; a “musical performance” by Jennifer Lopez, the details of which were not disclosed; and performances from Justin Timberlake, Demi Lovato, Ant Clemons and longtime Democrat supporter Jon Bon Jovi.

Celebrating America will air on multiple networks. Starting at 8:30 pm ET, the unity-aiming special will be carried by ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC and CNN. Additionally, the Weiss-directed show will be seen on Amazon Prime Video, Microsoft Bing, NewsNOW from Fox, and AT&T DIRECTV and U-verse, as well as the Presidential Inaugural Committee’s social media feeds.

Demi Lovato Performs Rousing Rendition of National Anthem at the Super Bowl

Posted on February 3, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a star-spangled night for Demi Lovato…

The 27-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actress helped kick off Super Bowl LIV on Sunday night at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami with a soaring rendition of the National Anthem.

Wearing an all-white pantsuit with a belt, Lovato delivered a note-perfect rendition of The Star Spangled Banner, nailing both the dramatic “land of the free” climax and the elongated closing “brave” note.

The anthem has been performed at the Super Bowl in recent years by P!nk, Luke Bryan, Lady Gaga, Idina Menzel and Gladys Knight.

The Super Bowl marks Lovato’s second Sunday in a row delivering a high-profile performance on national television, having debuted her new heart-wrenching single “Anyone” at the Grammys a week earlier.

The song is expected to debut on the Billboard Hot 100 this week, Lovato’s first entry on the chart since “Sober” in 2018.

Pitbull to Perform at This Week’s MLB All-Star Events

Posted on July 9, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Pitbull is preparing for an All-Star affair…

The 36-year-old Cuban-American rap superstar will perform during ceremonies Monday night before the Major League Baseball’s All-Star Home Run Derby.

Bebe Rexha will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” Tuesday night before the All-Star Game at Marlins Park and Jocelyn Alice will sing “O Canada.”

Jennifer Hudson will sing at a private party in Miami Beach hosted by Stand Up to Cancer and Mastercard on Sunday night, when there also will be a New Era event with Amine and Metro Boomin.

Lenny Kravitz will perform Monday night at the Major League Baseball Players Association party in Miami.

Rapper Lil Jon was to perform at the All-Star 5K on Saturday night and Don Omar at the All-Star Zumba experience on Sunday, when Flo Rida is to give a show at Marlins Park between the All-Star Futures Game and the celebrity softball game.

Fifth Harmony to Perform the National Anthem at the NHL All-Star Game

Posted on January 24, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Ally Brooke Hernandez and Lauren Jauregui are hitting the rink…

The Latina singers and their fellow Fifth Harmony groupmates will perform at the National Hockey League (NHL) All-Star Game on Sunday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

The 62nd annual event, which will also feature performances by Nick Jonas and Carly Rae Jepsen, kicks off at 12:30 p.m. PT on Sunday, Jan. 29, and will air on NBC.

Jepsen will kick things off with the Canadian national anthem before the game, and Fifth Harmony will follow with “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Jonas, meanwhile, will perform during the game’s second intermission.

“We are pleased with the incredible lineup of entertainment that we put together for the 2017 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend,” said Steve Mayer, NHL chief content officer and executive vice president. “The All-Star Weekend will feature three days of can’t-miss events, including the NHL100 celebration on Friday night, in a weekend where hockey takes over Hollywood. We are excited for Nick Jonas, Fifth Harmony and Carly Rae Jepsen’s All-Star Game performances for our fans in L.A and those watching around the world.”

This will be Fifth Harmony’s second performance without Camila Cabello, following their debut as a quartet at the People’s Choice Awards last week.

The NHL All-Star Weekend will also include the NHL100 gala hosted by actor Jon Hamm honoring the league’s 100 greatest athletes of all time with guest appearances by John Legend and Robin Thicke, who will honor his late father Alan Thicke, as well as John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting.

This will be the third time Los Angeles will host the NHL All Star Game and the first since 2002.

Blacc to Perform During Game 7 of the NBA Finals

Posted on June 19, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a star-spangled Sunday for Aloe Blacc…

The 37-year-old Panamanian American singer-songwriter will provide the night’s entertainment with a special rendition of the National Anthem before tonight’s winner-takes-all game between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

In addition to performing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the Grammy-nominee will also

offer the crowd at Oakland’s Oracle Arena a special halftime performance.

Blacc helmed the vocals for Avicii‘s 2013 hit “Wake Me Up” and unleashed his third album Lift Your Spirit in 2013.

Don’t miss Blacc and Game 7 tonight when the game airs live tonight at 8:00 pm ET on ABC.

Santana to Perform Instrumental Version of the National Anthem at the World Series

Posted on October 21, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Santana is ready to play ball…

The 67-year-old Mexican musician is among the entertainers scheduled to perform the National Anthem at the 2014 World Series, according to Fox officials.

Santana, a multiple Grammy winner considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time, joins a roster that includes American Idol season 11 winner Phillip Phillips, Trisha Yearwood and Little Big Town.

Yearwood will kick things off Tuesday, singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before Game 1 when the San Francisco Giants face the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

Phillips will make his second appearance singing at a World Series when he takes the mic before Game 2 on Wednesday. He last appeared in 2012, the year he won American Idol, when the Giants faced the Detroit Tigers.

The series moves to San Francisco on Friday with country group Little Big Town.

Santana then takes the 4 p.m. slot on Saturday for Game 4, when he performs an instrumental version of the song.

The games will air on Fox at 8:00 pm ET.

Lovato Returns to Perform National Anthem at World Series

Posted on October 29, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Demi Lovato is apparently the designated hitter when it comes to performing the National Anthem at the World Series.

For the second straight year, the 20-year-old part-Mexican American singer and The X Factor coach took to the mound on Sunday to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the big game.

This time, Lovato performed the National Anthem before the dramatic battle between the San Francisco Giants and the Detroit Tigers at Game 4 in Detroit.

“So excited to sing the National Anthem at game 4 of the World Series tonight!!!!!” tweeted Lovato before the big game, which saw the Giants sweep the Tigers for the championship after winning the game 4-3 in extra innings.

Lovato—dressed in an all-black, including a sweater with the word “Lost” on it—delivered a heartfelt and memorable rendition of the “The Star-Spangled Banner,” similar to her performance at Game 5 of last year’s World Series battle between the Texas Rangers and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Sanchez to Appear on Fox’s “Glee” Next Season…

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

She may have lost the American Idol title to Phillip Phillips… But that hasn’t stopped Jessica Sanchez from having the most gleeful year of her life.

Following her emotionally charged performances of “The Star-Spangled Banner” on Capitol Hill and at Game One of the NBA Finals, the 16-year-old half-Mexican singer is reportedly thisclose to signing on for a multi-episode arc on Fox’s hit musical dramedy Glee.

Details on Sanchez’s character are being kept under tight wraps, but according to TVLine the pint-sized singer would join the Ryan Murphy-Brad Falchuk series midway through its upcoming fourth season. And, she’d join high-profile additions Sarah Jessica Parker and Kate Hudson, who have both signed on for multiple episodes.

Glee will move from its longtime home on Tuesdays to Thursday nights starting in September when it will be paired with Fox’s reality juggernaut Idol.

Sanchez—who successfully tackled music by divas Whitney Houston, Beyonce and Jennifer Holliday to land in the American Idol finale— will most likely join the series after the completion of Idol‘s summer concert tour.

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