The Super Bowl Had Plenty of Country Music, But You Really Had to Look for It
Exactly zero country artists were invited to perform during the Super Bowl LIII halftime show, but you can't hold a true fan back. There was country music to be found in Atlanta on Sunday night (Feb. 3) — you just really had to look for it.
The corners of the stadium featured stars like Lindsay Ell (great seats!), LoCash (even better seats) and Kelsea Ballerini living that suite life with husband Morgan Evans. It's a safe bet that the "Miss Me More" star was invited by her Black River Entertainment record label owner Terry Pegula, who also owns the NFL's Buffalo Bills.
LoCash performed during a pre-show Pepsi Tailgate party, as they've done all year. They also scored some pretty sweet passes to the post-game celebration and made us all a little big jealous about it.
It's not clear if Ell had a greater purpose at the game. The Canadian has not expressed undying love for either the New England Patriots or L.A. Rams in the past, but she did share a pic she took with Zedd where she admitted she thought the Rams would win (spoiler alert: they didn't).
Kane Brown joined Tim McGraw onstage during his pre-game concert. He was the only country performer to be a part of the NFL's official festivities on Sunday, and Brown joined him to sing "I Like It, I Love It." It's not clear if McGraw went to the game, but Brown did share a view from his stadium-corner seat on his Instagram Story.
Country music's biggest Patriots fan has to be Scotty McCreery, so you know he was there. Wife Gabi joined him for her first Super Bowl and the couple had reason to celebrate afterward. This picture is of the "This Is It" singer and his dad, Mike.
The last time country music was featured during a Super Bowl halftime show was 2003, when Shania Twain took centerstage. You have to reach to 1994 to find the last time country dominated, and that doesn't seem likely to change. Billboard published an article on Sunday that suggests those in charge don't think country music is popular enough internationally to warrant the attention. Kenny Chesney and Jason Aldean are two artists who have vied for the halftime spot, but there's little to suggest either will get that stage soon.
These Are the Country Artists Who've Played the Super Bowl Halftime Show