On Sunday 26th August Kasim Sulton had the honor of singing America's National Anthem "The Star Spangled Banner" before the start of the Rochester Red Wings versus Syracuse Sky Chiefs Baseball game in front of about 10,000 people!
Kasim Sulton came out onto Frontier Field about ten minutes before he was due to sing the National Anthem wearing a very long Redwings shirt with "SULTON" and the number "9" on the back somehow stuffed into his blue jeans. He looked VERY nervous (probably the most nervous I've ever seen him) which wasn't surprising considering the enormity of the task ahead of him as The Star Spangled Banner is one of the hardest songs to sing (far harder than the UK National Anthem).
However, when Kasim stepped up to the microphone the professionalism took over as he sang it in a clear, strong voice, hitting all the notes and getting the phrasing perfectly. He sang it accapella with his hands behind his back and, as a nice gesture, opted to sing it facing the stands so that the audience could see both him and the American flag.
As the Rochester Air Show was taking place that weekend, at one point a stealth bomber flew over but thankfully the sound wasn't too loud. Afterwards, Kasim received a massive round of applause as he (literally!) ran away from the microphone. Afterwards all the crowd round me were commenting on how well he sang it!
Video Clips
Many thanks to Scott Van Dusen for providing the photos below of Frontier Field:
These files are quite large to download but are well worth the wait! Unfortunately my camera only takes 15 second clips so the song is split up into 4 clips (and I should have used a tripod!).
Kasim singing The National Anthem
Kasim singing more of The National Anthem
Kasim singing The National Anthem with stealth bomber flying past
Kasim ending The National Anthem
Kasim Sulton Solo Acoustic Tour 2001