The Stars and the National Anthem

Everyone should know by now that I play soccer. I write about it enough and I am sure everyone pretty much skips right over the soccer parts by now. Trust me, I don’t blame you. In fact, I thank you whole heartedly for actually continuing to read my posts. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

I do have many other talents. I can actually cook. I don’t bake (I leave that to my Grandma, she can bake roof shingles and it would taste great). I can tie a cherry stem in a knot with my tongue. My kids think its cool and the guys think its hot. And, I can sing. 

About a year ago, my lil soccer stud was playing with his soccer team a half-time scrimage during our local semi-pro indoor soccer game. My co-ed team is notorious at this facility and we are the team to beat. Everyone hates to play against us.

Okay, someone tell me to shut up now.

I am very good friends with the owner of the indoor soccer facility that is home for the semi-pro team. My lil soccer stud and I get to the facility early to get warmed up for the game when the owner comes running over to me obviously very excited about something.

“Kenny says you will sing the National Anthem!”

“No, Kenny can sing the National Anthem!”

“Please, I don’t have anyone to do it and last week I had an 11 year old girl that sang. You don’t want to be shown up by an 11 year old, do you?”

“Call her up, I bet she will do it this week too.”

Back and forth we go on this subject until I finally say “Okay” and agree to sing. My girlfriends that did not know I could sing because we only play soccer together were very concerned. Do I remember all the words? Do I need a drink of water? No, I just need to go somewhere and warm up. So, I go off and sing the song a couple times and work out the kinks.

My Mom shows up just as I am about to go into the bar and I tell her about my gig. She knows I can sing so she’s very excited. I go upstairs where many of my friends are already drinking beer and I get ready to take the mic. The announcer asks me what my name is and I tell him to just say “and now the national anthem” and call it good. If I tank, I am not taggin my name on it, that is for sure.

So, I am waiting for the announcement and one of my friends is standing next to me talking with some other friends. The announcer turns and hands me the mic and I start to sing. My friend, turns right into the mic and says…

“Holy SHIT, I didn’t know you could sing!” Brilliant!

I finish the National Anthem, hand the mic back to the announcer and the owner is so excited she has to buy me beer. I will tell you, it was fun to sing in front of a big crowd and that song is not an easy song to sing. 

Last night, my phone rings and it is my friend the owner of the indoor facility. The Stars are having their reunion game tonight and she would like to know if I would sing the National Anthem again. Please, please, please???? 

Of course, I said yes.

Ciao for now!