GUEST POST: BOBBY REED

My good friend Bobby Reed, music writer of no little pedigree, has graciously contributed a post on Tuesday night's All-Star Game...or, at least, about part of the festivities. Thanks, Bobby!!!



This is the final season for the “House That Ruth Built,” so it was fitting that Yankee Stadium would be the site for this year’s All-Star Game. Tuesday night in the Bronx, prior to the 79th Annual All-Star Game, the national anthem was sung by…a Missouri native…and a multiple Grammy winner…wait for it…Sheryl Crow.

In the past, I have enjoyed some of Sheryl Crow’s music, for sure. But for this event? Really, MLB? That’s the best you could do? Was Michael Bolton not available? Did you misplace Taylor Hicks’s phone number? Sheryl Crow is okay, but I can think of at least 20 acts that would have been more appropriate for this historic occasion. See below.

--Bobby Reed


The 2008 All-Star Game National Anthem:

20 ACTS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE APPROPRIATE THAN SHERYL CROW


1) Paul Simon—a Yankees fan; attended Queens College; an American icon

2) Bruce Springsteen—beloved by New Yorkers; wrote “Glory Days”; an American icon

3) Billy Joel—native New Yorker; Yankees fan; also playing a farewell gig for Shea Stadium

4) Bernie Williams—former Yankee; World Series hero; jazz guitarist

5) Jon Bon Jovi—arena football team owner, Jersey guy; played a Central Park concert for MLB last weekend

6) Meatloaf—known to play softball now and then

7) Gretchen Wilson—country singer recently recorded “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” for ESPN

8) Simon & Garfunkel —What the heck, let’s get Artie out there, too.

9) Frankie Valli—Jersey Boy

10) Brooke Shields—native New Yorker; veteran of Broadway musicals

11) Sean Hayes—former “Will & Grace” star currently on Broadway in “Damn Yankees”

12) Hank Aaron—was in attendance; probably does everything well, including singing

13) Madonna & Alex Rodriguez—both need some publicity

14) Woody Allen—native New Yorker; American icon; badass clarinetist

15) Gwyneth Paltrow—sang alongside Huey Lewis in “Duets”; married to a musician; friend of Madonna

16) Michael Bolton—has been photographed wearing a baseball cap

17) Taylor Hicks—rabid fan base known as the Soul Patrol could have bolstered the TV ratings

18) Willie Nelson—brings a sweet aroma of gravitas with him everywhere he goes

19) John Fogerty—wrote “Centerfield; wears a bandana; American icon

20) My Mother—has attended more baseball games than Sheryl Crow, and Mom wouldn’t have made the mistake of bringing an acoustic guitar with her