Natalie Grant sang the national anthem at Indy 500. Here's how viewers reacted
Gospel singer Natalie Grant a strong impression on plenty of people with her performance of the national anthem ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500.'Nicely done, Natalie Grant,' wrote blogger Dave Scarangella on social media after the May 25 performance. 'Gentleman, start your engines…'
Another viewer of the Indy 500, broadcast on Fox, called for Grant to be an annual thing at the event.'Let's have Natalie Grant back every year!' said John Easter on his @johnnystir account.
A bit less impressed appeared to be @NotoriousVerb on X.'Dont ever let that lady sing the national anthem ever again. Just have Jim pull double duty,' they posted, likely referencing singer Jim Cornelison, who performed 'Back Home Again in Indiana' after Grant sang.
Some thought Grant put a little too much sauce on 'The Star-Spangled Banner.'
'I hate that the National Anthem is no longer about honoring our country and flag and is now about vocal acrobatics,' offered @Little_Kris10 on X. 'Absolutely atrocious.'
The gig is pretty high-profile. According to NBC, the 2024 Indy 500 averaged 5.344 million viewers on NBC and Peacock.That could help win new fans, even for a nine-time Grammy nominee like Grant.'Who TF is Natalie Grant?' asked @CasualMandalor1 on X.
Grant, a Seattle native who lives in Nashville, Tennessee, is known for her work in Christian and gospel music.The winner of five GMA Dove Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year, her most recent album "Seasons," which debuted at the top of the Christian Billboard charts, includes collaborations with the likes of Mary Mary and CeCe Winans. Her cover of Whitney Houston's "Step By Step" with Dolly Parton made the mainstream adult contemporary chart.Grant co-founded Hope for Justice, a nonprofit that fights human trafficking.She is also the author of 11 books, including the Glimmer Girls tween series about the adventures of twins and their little sister who travel the world with their vocalist mom. The series was inspired by the three children she has with husband Bernie Herms, a Grammy Award-winning songwriter, producer and composer.
Live from IMS: Live Indy 500 fun report from the Snake Pit, Coke Lot, red carpet and more
IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni contributed to this report.
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