The National Anthem: Should We Sing It Traditionally or With Style? [POLL]

For the last 10 years, six of those in Sedalia, I have played the National Anthem each morning before the show. It is generally not something I point out nor do I put a lot of pomp and circumstance around it. I just play it. Last week, a friend of mine contacted me to tell me that she used my show as a history lesson.

It seems her cousin who is in 6th grade didn't know what our National Anthem was. He had heard it before my show, but never knew the meaning behind it. I count this as a pretty big failure on several levels, and I started to think of all the different ways I've heard the song done.

There have been some beautiful renditions of 'The Star Spangled Banner' over the years, both by bands as well as singers. Whitney Houston and Riccochet's versions are two of my favorites. Jose Feliciano recently revived his 1968 performance of the piece at an NLCS game. Click the player below to hear it.