Groban to Perform National Anthem at Derby
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Multiplatinum and award-winning singer, songwriter, and actor Josh Groban, will perform the national anthem at this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) Saturday, May 2 at Churchill Downs.
The performance will take place in the Kentucky Derby Winner's Circle just after 5 p.m. EDT, immediately prior to the race. The performance will be broadcast live as part of the NBC telecast of the Derby.
"We are thrilled to welcome Josh Groban to perform at the Kentucky Derby," said Churchill Downs racetrack president Kevin Flanery. "The Kentucky Derby is one of the world's most exciting events in sports, fashion, celebrity, and tradition, so we are delighted to have this celebrated artist perform our national anthem for the millions of fans across the globe who watch the Kentucky Derby."
Groban, who is attending his second Derby, is the seventh artist to perform the national anthem since Churchill began the tradition in 2009. Last year, an estimated more than 15 million television viewers watched country music superstar Jo Dee Messina perform the "The Star-Spangled Banner" before an on-track crowd of nearly 165,000 fans. The other artists who have performed the national anthem include Martina McBride (2013), Mary J. Blige (2012), Jordin Sparks (2011), Rascal Flatts (2010), and Lee Ann Rimes (2009).