El Huddle: Reba McEntire, Post Malone y Andra Day

Published Feb 11, 2024, 5:00 PM

Accompanied by New Orleans Saints Defensive End Cam Jordan , MJ Acosta-Ruiz sits down to chat with Super Bowl pregame singers Reba McEntire, Post Malone and Andra Day! 

They talk about where they were when they got the call to perform during the pregame and what the opportunity to sing at the Super Bowl means to them! And Post Malone shares his love for Chicken Tenders.

A Huddle is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeartRadio. Limnam Handadad, we have such an exciting treat for you today. We're going to talk to the fabulous artist that will be performing pregame before the Super Bowl, that is Reba McIntyre, Posts Malone, and Andrew Day. Kevi and I are so excited and just hype to get into this interview. We've been sort of chatting like little kids backstage because we remember when we got the call that said we were doing this interview. So we were imagining what was it like for each of you when you got the call that said you're going to be performing in the pregame for the Super Bowl, and so the first time for each of you, Miss Rebell's start with you.

Well, when I got the call from my manager, Justin McIntosh, he said I got an offer for you. I said, okay, what is it? He said, no, I can't tell you until Rex gets on the phone with you. Rex Landa's my boyfriend. And I said, well, let's very strange. And I said, okay, he's sitting around here.

What is it?

And he said, oh, You've got an offer, saying the National anthem at the Super Bowl, and I said, well, and Rex said.

She'll do it, so motly, where does she have to be in?

What time?

Try to that?

And I'm like, well, did you know you're going to do it? So he was very excited and I got excited. But in that two seconds, you know, you're thinking, what am I going to wear? What is it gonna entail? What do I have to do to be prepared? So no, he entered for me, and so yeah.

Here I am.

Yes.

I don't remember what I was doing or where I was, because that's just how my memory works. So I just remember in the moment. I you know, my managers had been talking to me about it for a while and the possibility of doing it, and then we finally got the call that was like, oh my gosh, you're going to do it. And I remember a similar thing immediately in the moment. I was like, I'm nervous right now for something that doesn't happen until February. I was just like it was November and I was like, oh my god, what am I going to do? They're like, you have months to prepare, and yeah, you'll be nervous.

You know, it'd been better that you just said, would you do it last week?

Right?

Right?

Exactly right right, and I can just go on the momentum.

Yeahs not to know than knowing.

I think, yeah, the anticipation, yeah, but I was excited.

I was very excited.

You brought up you.

Brought up outfits, and I was like, I don't have to worry about this. I just grabbed clothes.

You have all of these sets just in your closet sets.

I got it.

Okay, only it's only post What about the when the call came for you?

I thought it was a meme. No, but no, it absolutely wasn't it.

I was like, all right, yeah, yeah, I was like, same thing, same thing, so nervous.

I wish you know last week? Would you have done it last week?

Yeah?

Absolutely, I already did it.

That's great, but yeah, it's uh, you don't even really like now that it's actually like happening.

It's like, I wasn't nervous until two days ago. Now it's you're right.

So it's just because I initially I was like, you might want to double check that. I'm like cool to do it, but I'm I'm very honored and very excited to do it, and not nervous one bits.

In terms of, like, you know, being a player, I've always been like, all right, let's get the national anthem over so I can.

Go back, right.

But the older, the older I get.

Like, I'm it's changed now, I'm like, I enjoy the theatrics of it all. I'm like, you know, the the fighter playing fives over the national anthem. So now I'm like locked in. I'm like, yep, this is my go times. I start that off, but like you know, now I'm starting to listen to them. I'm going back and I'm listening all these things. So listening to these national anthems, you realize that Whitney Houston is widely recognized right the top, the greatest national anthem performance of all time? In ten seconds, give us your two top anthem performances.

Yeah, top too if you have to, or even.

My favorite ones, well, Whitney. I love Chris Stapleton, he love the way Garth Kelly Clarkson, Lady Gaga love that so good. You know, you know, it's a real honor, but it's a lot of stress because of the people who have gone before you. You gotta make them proud.

That's fair lot of stress.

We're not gonna talk about it.

Yeah, we hope that by the end of this you guys will feel a lot less therapy session. Yes, we all need to. That is You're right, it is happy, right, Andrew, what about for you?

I mean Whitney, you know, I mean that's definitely the top. I also, uh right, just at the super Bowl. Yeah, definitely Whitney. Uh Chris Stapleton to a huge fan, I think he's amazing.

Beyonce was amazing.

So yeah, yeah, those are definitely our favorites, top favorites. I also, I just got to throw it in and I'm sorry. I also heard it was not at the super Bowl, but Jasmine Sullivan variantly did yeah, lift every voice to see she is like your favorite singer's favorites. She's amazing, so everything she does inspires me. So that's my favorite, regardless of the arena, for sure.

Yeah.

But Whitney and Rieba, Yeah.

Well play I love that.

I heard Zach Wilde do it and it was.

Bad as wow. Okay, now everyone's like it was It was really really It's just like a little segment of the solo, but.

It was really really well appreciated.

You like, like ripping, ripping a guitar. Yes, it's something about me growing up. I feel like I'm going up mentally as well, like you.

Know, appreciate it for you.

Said, well, we're there and we're examining things. We know how much this this not wigs on you, guys, but you carry it with so much pride when you think of the audience and how they receive it. This this is one of those moments where everyone's like, it's starting right post. What do you want the audience to feel from your performance?

I don't know.

I'm know, happy, excited, get everybody ready to go.

I don't know.

I'm I kind of went with that's pretty stripped back. So it's just kind of kind of me singing a song. So it's just a song everyone knows and a song everyone loves. And I don't know, I don't want to like personal I guess or you know whatever, because.

We know I'm not the best singer. But I don't know who.

Knows that, who's.

On platform. I get what, I hear you.

I hear you, but I guess heartfelt, heartfelt, and really just because they care, so you know, that's the most important thing to me.

Yeah, I mean that's a fantastic answer. I care, you know. So I think I think what I want people to you know. I mean, this particular song, you know, is definitely from from the archives right of our culture and our ancestors, and I think it's really you know, obviously we hear the word representation used a lot, but I think it is important, you know, And I think I think what I want people to feel for me spiritually, I want people to feel God. That's that's what every performance, you know, that's you know, I want people to feel and whatever that means for them that moment, you know, And and I want people to feel, you know, like obviously I'm not unaware that there are split opinions and how people feel about me singing this song, but you know, I would like people to kind of move those things from their heart and really just take a moment to pause and to just to choose to choose love and to choose togetherness in the moment, because you can, I think, you can choose peace, or you can choose turmoil or stress or anxiety. And so I think if people allow you know, themselves to be quiet and allow the spirit to speak, allow the moment to speak, then I think we'll have a really beautiful moment of you know, togetherness and love those things.

So I love that.

What're not for Youriba? What do you want the audience to feel?

There's a lot of Yeah, there's a lot of separation, there's a lot of different opinions. But when we step up and sing these songs, let's kind of forget all that crap. Let's join together and be grateful and thankful, thankful for all the people who have done what they have done to ensure our peace, to ensure our freedom. Let's join together on something. And when is a better time than at the super Bowl with three vocalists getting out there baring our heart and our soul and singing our little hearts out.

Yeah, it's true. That makes that makes a lot of sense. Reaba for you, I'm just gonna keep it real. Right, I knew we've been back and tied because of the TV show.

Right, Mom's favorite TV show was always on, you know, and in that time.

You're still always on.

The show growing up there that was like Freshprints was it was our show we're watching you know, You're catching both vibes there spanning multiple generations, like how does how does that make you feel or to have a fan base that does truly span.

Multiple generations? Like mom has attachment, I have attachment. I can't. Kids will probably throw on a song one day. And how does it make you feel to have that?

What does it mean to you to have a fan base that spans multiple generations?

Very grateful, very thankful, very appreciative. And somebody said, what's your fan base age? I said two to eighty two.

I guess you got there, you go.

You know, this is a full circle for me singing the national anthem. I got my start singing the national anthem in nineteen seventy four. Fifty years later, that was at the National Finals Rodeo. Here we are at the super Bowl and National Finals. Rodeo is kind of the super Bowl for the rodeo pe and so here I am so honored, so grateful to get to sing the national anthem at the super Bowl. So it's it's been a lot of years, fifty and I am just beyond grateful.

Yeah, it's a blessing, a big deal, Yeah.

Big d I am not taking it for granted.

Yeah, you know, post earlier you said how it's like it's just me singing a song. It's stripping it down all that, and then I think of lift every voice and sing and the national anthem, and I think for the two of you, it's it's making it your own right, just like Post is talking about America beautiful, how have you navigated that pressure of making it your own but being true to the song that everybody loves in a moment like this, And I'll start with you.

Rica, Well, I want everybody sing along with right, So if I do a little, you know everybody's going welcome. She's gonna be finished here in a minute.

Night. The best part is I can't do that.

I go there with it, but you know, I want everybody to sing along, enjoy it, not be taken out of the moment. When what she did that, you know, where's she going with this? And you know it's everybody's saying how long is it gonna be? Is it gonna be a fast one? Is gonna be slow?

And I thought it would be kind of funny.

Started out real slow and they're, oh, no chance up, keep it on their toes.

Both emotions. That's what the artists. We started off about it, just bring that all out in the pitch.

Started off going andybody going, oh my gosh, it's gonna be over to me.

Under there's over unders on, there's over unders on mind and I was like, this is a quick chance to make some money.

Right.

Andrew, you you talked a little bit about it, just knowing the significance of the historical relevance, especially for the back community.

He's been a lot of fun.

How have you navigated really thinking about how you want to attack this performance?

Uh?

Well, you know it was a partnership actually, so Adam Blackstone did the music for it. Yeah, he's so amazing, you know. So it's so funny actually him and I called him. I was like, I was like, we need to pray before we put this together. He was like, all right, cool, and I was like, so let's do it. And so I've just navigated by you know, like just I think like you said, I you know, for me, it's reflective, contemplative, you know what I mean? For me, A lot of things are worship. You know, I say that a lot. Sorry I redundant, but it did redundant, Yeah, repeating, but no, So that that's that's kind of how I'm approaching it, you know what I mean. I'm sort of just you know, and like she said, I want everybody to join in, not just in the words, but also in the spirit, you know what I mean. So that's kind of just yeah, just delivering the song and the words.

You know.

I don't want to I don't want to do too much or too little, but I don't want to overthink it. I like I want to be to the moment.

You know, you have to be true to yourself.

Yeah, you know, it seems like, you know, inspiring and uplifting is like clearly what has made you you.

Especially iconic song that so now it.

Feels like it's sort of like.

What does performing a song like lift every voice? You sort of alluded to it, but what does it like really truly mean for you? As for a stage anyways?

Uh, I think for me, the first thing that comes to mind is like a genesis, right, you know, at least for this period in this time, not a genesis for the people who came before us. Like she said, she talked about honoring the people who fought and the people who actually lost their lives and who you know, not to sing the song, to speak these words, to live their lives. You know, I think it's I think it's we don't we shouldn't lose sight of that, you know what I mean, as we you know, move forward into the future. But it also feels like a genesis because it's really exciting. This song has only been sung three times at the super Bowl, the first time by Alicia Keys untelevised second time by the amazing both of them amazing women Sheryle Rauph last year, who is also my birthday twin. Yeah, no, it's kind of kind of funny, but yeah, so I think to be able to step into their shoes and to honor these women and honor the people who came before me is amazing. But it feels like a genesis in the sense that I really truly do look forward to a future when it's less of a conversation to sing the song just is a normal space where all of our kids, you know what I mean. It's it's very much a part of their pantheon of music, and when they go to a sporting event or you know, to an award show or whatever, it's it's very normal for them to hear these words and these different songs that represent a multitude of people, you know, because that's what we look like. You know what I mean, right, right, right, True representation is key always.

What I love about the Super Bowl on this stage is that it is a celebration, of course, of the two teams that are on the field, but also a celebration of where culture and music and sports all come together. I mean, no better representation than Post right now in his Dallas Cowboys jacket and boot and boot stop playing off camera it was you and Posts riffing off each other because you know you had some questions for Posts about his fandom too.

Yeah, I mean I didn't want to know, Like you know, there's just there's so many things, like you're a Cowboys guy through and through, through and through.

You know.

But like I know Travis Kelcey and we've talked about it after Super Bowl he was like, yeah, man, that Post alone, you know he got me and that.

Is that your Travis Boyce Amazing.

So I was like, like, couldn't let us slide. We were working out in Florida, whatever it is. I'm like, Nope, run that back. So like you guys were playing what beer palmers were playing?

And I want this to be known.

They're they're fine players on the beer pong table.

Great guys, great guys, fine players. Uh.

I did notice a couple of elbow indiscretions.

But I am right, so we I don't know how how he got there, but the tattoo artist was there. It was there, sitting in the.

Corner coming in and so I was like, if if you all beat me, I will get this tattoo of the cowboys.

One is bigger.

Okay, cowboys is where Cowboys is here on the heart shoulder, Well, no, two hearts, double hearts.

And that one where's where's where's.

Uh it's right here?

Yes, nice, and we'll got a shot. Like Duke, he's into it.

Don't take forever, you take your time. Well, I just want them to like let me in. We'll do it later.

We'll do later, We'll do it later. But we know it's there. Yes on amazing.

Yeah, so uh you.

Again this is my follow up question that I have to because again Dallas Cowboys, I knew about the story which with Travis and Pat.

And then you know you got you got my guy Todd Graves and the partnershop.

With Raisin Knes. Yeah, we have a partnership with Rains and then I have more follow up for that. Anyways, I'm going to rally you to where you need to be.

Canes ever since, well, I eat like I'm twelve, same so I love Chicky ten days. So naturally, yeah, I had Canes playing one time. I was playing football. I've played when I was a kid, and my mom said, let's try this new spot and it was Canes. And I'll have everybody know I was. I was the first guy ever, not ever, ever, first guy that I knew. And I started putting everybody on Kanes because everybody go get Chick fil A before the game and all that stuff, and I was like, try this spot. Yeah, And so that's when it started. And then I met Todd at a festival and You're like, let's do He's the best. Almost cussed, but and we just said let's do something cool. So we've built two.

We've built one.

I live in Utah, so we built one there, and then we built one in Dallas and you drive through a big Cowboys star by the.

Way, the Dallas College cheerleaders were there at the open. It was like a big It was a big It was awesome.

Which no, no, no, we're going to talk about this Cowboys. You know, you have a phenomenal situation with with the raising canes. But we know we're raising canes originated.

Right, So here we got from l s U. Which isn't Batanuge Louisiana, right, God Graves. So I'm just thinking you have a huge affection for chicken strips.

Okay, we all do naturally, so it starts in Louisiana.

It seems like which I feel like a natural progression would be, maybe we just that blue and silver from Wow me, No, it's not possible off the table, Okay, okay, no, I watch it.

Okay, I watch I mean my brother is a Saints fan. There you go. So okay, we'll take that.

Yeah we'll try.

Yeah, yeah, that's it. We'll that's I just want a little bit of hear him cuts from his room.

Thank you all so much for sitting down with us. This has been awesome. We can't wait to watch you hit the stage. It's gonna be phenomenal. I already have chills. It's gonna be great.

Thank you.

Can we get some chicken strips please?

Yah?

Is love it.

I want to thank Reeba McIntyre, post Malone and Andrew Day for sitting and chatting with us today. Make sure you keep an eye out for them on Sunday. In Huddle is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeart Radio. For more podcasts from iHeart Radio, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.