The Voice

Danielle Bradbery: Peyton Manning helped her through ‘scary’ anthem performance

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Faced with unexpected airtime to fill, sportscasters will ramble on and on about the silliest things.

That’s what I was thinking last Thursday night when the start of the 2013 NFL season opener between the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens was delayed 33 minutes by storms in the area.

Danielle Bradbery before singing the national anthem in Denver Thursday night for the 2013 NFL opener.

Danielle Bradbery before singing the national anthem in Denver Thursday night for the 2013 NFL opener.

Particularly when the sportscasters started discussing the delay’s possible impact on Peyton Manning.

Me, I’m figuring that over the course of 15 NFL seasons, Peyton Manning has experienced plenty of unexpected developments more alarming than a weather delay.

Then, finally, it was time for the national anthem.

And there stood Danielle Bradbery, the 17-year-old winner of The Voice Season 4, preparing to sing in front of 77,000 people with millions more watching at home.

Forget Peyton. Can you imagine how nerve wracking that weather delay was for her?

So when I talked to Danielle about her upcoming York Fair show this morning, I just had to ask.

Sure enough, she classified it as “kind of scary.”

But she says Peyton — yes, Peyton Manning — helped her get through it.

During the delay, Danielle admits she fretted a bit. About the fact that the performance was live. About the fact that it was raining. Heck, even worrying about the altitude in Denver.

After all, this would be her biggest national anthem performance.

“And the national anthem is definitely something you don’t want to mess up or forget the words,” she says.

“Finally that time came. What I keep telling everybody is, what was amazing — every time I perform I find something or somebody that’s basically my comfort zone. I don’t know what it is or who it is. I just find something that makes me feel comfortable when I’m singing.

“And that something during the game was Peyton Manning. He was actually looking at me and shaking his head, kind of proud looking. And it just made me feel really good. He was actually my comfort zone.”

And her national anthem performance, of course, was flawless.

Danielle will be performing at the fair on the WGTY Great Country Radio Stage at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. The show is free with admission to the fair.

Check back later this week for more from my interview with Danielle. And check back Saturday night for coverage of her performance.

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6 Comments

  1. bmason September 10, 2013 at 6:24 pm -  Reply

    So proud of Danielle!!!! I love her voice and feel she is truly a rising star in country and pop. I loved her on The Voice and look forward to following her career. Thanks for including her in your report.

  2. Cheryl Ezzard September 11, 2013 at 4:48 pm -  Reply

    Great voice, and adorable! An obvious True Texas Rising Star!!!!!!! So proud of her…..

  3. Don Oakes September 11, 2013 at 11:02 pm -  Reply

    Danielle,always seek when troubled, and you will find your comfort. For God, as I understand Him, always works through people. We are truly never alone.

  4. David Lewis, M.D. September 14, 2013 at 5:18 pm -  Reply

    Danielle has made me a country music fan. Thank you, Danielle!

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