Kentucky Derby’s National Anthem Decision Erupts Anger Amongst Viewers As Golden Tempo Wins: “Sad”

May 6, 2017 - Lexington, KY, USA - Thousands of fans watch the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Kentucky Derby 143rd Running In Louisville - ZUMAl61_ 20170506_zaf_l61_035 Copyright: xAlexxSlitzx ©imago images/ZUMA Wire

Tens of thousands donned their best dresses, suits, and hats and gathered at Churchill Downs for the 152nd Kentucky Derby. Cherie DeVaux made history as the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner after her horse Golden Tempo took home the coveted first-place prize. But the longest continuously running sport in the United States left a sour taste even before the event began. The Tedeschi Trucks Band performed “The Star Spangled Banner” at Churchill Downs, but fans on social media were left unimpressed.

The Derby has strong ties to Southern roots, aligned with its Kentucky heritage. So, this year the honor went to Florida-based blues and rock group, Tedeschi Trucks Band. The group won a Grammy in 2012 for Best Blues Album. In fact, their past performance of the national anthem at two Jacksonville Jaguars playoff games, in both 2023 and 2026, received a lot of praise. But this time, the performance faced immediate scrutiny on social media regarding its technical execution.

During the live broadcast, some viewers reported balance issues where the guitar occasionally overshadowed the vocals. Additionally, the tempo of the performance—slower than a standard military cadence—became a point of contention. And it’s not that the husband-wife duo of Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi have a lack of accolades.

Trucks is a 46-year-old guitarist and songwriter from Jacksonville, Florida, who used to be a member of The Allman Brothers Band, a southern rock group honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2012 Grammys. Similarly, Tedeschi is a Boston native and during her solo career, her album “Just Won’t Burn” went platinum in 1998, allowing her to tour with the likes of Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, and B.B. King. She even received multiple Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist in 2000. But the live performance gig has those days when the resume and the accolades don’t cover up for a bad day.