Grammy Winner Carly Pearce to Perform National Anthem at Kentucky Derby
Written by WBDC on April 25, 2023
Churchill Downs Racetrack announced that GRAMMY award-winning country music singer, songwriter and Kentucky native Carly Pearce will sing the National Anthem at the 149th Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve on Saturday, May 6, 2023.
The announcement comes at an exciting time for Pearce, who made history in February with her first GRAMMY Award win for “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” with Ashley McBryde, becoming the first female pairing to win an award in that category. The singer’s live performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” will take place just after 5 p.m. EDT and will be broadcast live as part of NBC’s Kentucky Derby coverage, expected to reach more than 16 million fans worldwide.
“Carly Pearce has been taking the country music world by storm with an impressive year of musical performances,” said Mike Anderson, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “We are excited for her to take center stage in Louisville to sing our National Anthem and kick off this storied celebration.”
The reigning ACM Awards Female Artist of the of the Year recently earned her fourth career No. 1 song with “What He Didn’t Do” which she performed at the CMT Music Awards earlier this month in addition to a standout performance of “Just a Girl” with Gwen Stefani. Pearce released her first live album 29: Written In Stone (Live From Music City) last month and is currently on the road touring.
Pearce joins a distinguished list of major artists to perform the National Anthem at the Kentucky Derby. Past artists who have performed include Brittney Spencer (2022), Tori Kelly (2021), Jennifer Nettles (2019), Pentatonix (2018), Harry Connick Jr. (2017), Lady A (2016), Josh Groban (2015), Jo Dee Messina (2014), Martina McBride (2013), Mary J. Blige (2012), Jordin Sparks (2011), Rascal Flatts (2010) and LeAnnRimes (2009).
