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Jennifer Nettles’ Phenomenal Performance Of National Anthem Goes Viral: Watch The Patriotic Tribute [Video]

By Alicia Bayer
Published on: 08:39 PST, Sep 12, 2016

Jennifer Nettles’ chill-worthy performance of the national anthem on the eve of the 15th anniversary of 9/11 has set the internet on fire. The patriotic pregame performance was quickly shared by many who were moved by the singer’s amazing voice and the impressively choreographed tribute that accompanied it.

Nettles performed the anthem for the Battle of Bristol match-up game between the University of Tennessee and Virginia Tech on Saturday, which drew the largest NCAA football crowd in history.

Bristol Motor Speedway made sure to make the tribute as patriotic and impressive as possible, especially in light of the anniversary of 9/11 the following day. Fans in the stands were given flip cards to hold up, creating a massive American flag and USA spelled out at the end zones. In addition, well-placed fireworks displays at “the rocket’s red glare” and a giant American flag at the center of the field added to the stirring performance.

Fans were quick to share the video and rave about the tribute.

“Battle at Bristol between Tennessee and Virginia Tech broke the record for attendance at a college football game. The pregame ceremony might have broken a record for patriotism,” posted one fan to his Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/mary.c.stanton.7/posts/946390665489730

The game, which was held at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee, broke NCAA attendance records, with Billboard reporting 156,990 fans in the stadium that has been nicknamed the “stadium on steroids.”

The Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter, who celebrated her 42nd birthday on Monday, was excited to perform the anthem at the emotional event.

https://twitter.com/JenniferNettles/status/773981560043438081

https://twitter.com/JenniferNettles/status/775052932513423360

Nettles’ moving rendition of the anthem quickly drew national attention. It soon became a trending topic on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, and local and national news outlets have been raving about her performance.

“Loved this version last night!” wrote one woman on Facebook about the anniversary of 9/11, “I thought it was a perfect version of our national anthem on the weekend we remember September 11th.”

“When our nation’s song is sang pure and unchanged, when it’s sung from the heart and delivered from deep within the singer’s soul, I get goosebumps and tears in my eyes every time,” posted another. “Sing it like Jennifer Nettles, she sings it from her soul and from her heart.”

“This put chills all over me!!” wrote another. “Beautiful.”

“Country star Jennifer Nettles can sing the national anthem,” declared USA Today. “Good lord, she can sing the national anthem.”

Taste of Country proclaimed that she gave everyone chills.

“The country singer’s voice filled the stadium with so much patriotic pride,” raved Womanista. “This is one performance no one will forget.”

Jennifer Nettles is best known for her role as the lead vocalist in the country duo Sugarland, alongside Kristian Bush. Her personal website, JenniferNettles.com, lists her many awards, including five ASCAP awards for her songwriting abilities, a Grammy Award, ACM Award, and a CMA Award for writing the No. 1 platinum hit, “Stay.” The duo have garnered eight No. 1 singles and earned over $22 million in worldwide record sales.

Nettles has recently expanded into acting, as well. In February, Jennifer made her Broadway debut as Roxy Hart in the Tony Award-winning musical Chicago. She also starred in the NBC Dolly Parton television biopic Coat of Many Colors, which aired in December of 2015. She recently announced that she will retain her role in as Avie Lee Parton in a sequel this December entitled Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love, according to WBIR.

She is married to husband Justin Miller and has a 3-year-old son, Magnus.

Watch the amazing performance below.

[Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images]

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