James Taylor and Daniel Powter scheduled to sing National Anthems at Winter Classic

by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Dec 13, 2009 2:08 PM EST

Bruins fans will not hear the familiar sound of Rene Rancourt flexing his golden pipes before the Winter Classic on the New Year's Day at Fenway Park. The NHL has opted to have James Taylor sing the U.S. National Anthem, while Daniel Powter will sing the Canadian National Anthem.

Normally, "Oh Canada" is only performed when one or more of the teams are from a Canadian city. The NHL is probably viewing this as a league event so they chose to include the Canadian anthem to represent their Canadian teams. The only other explainations are that Philadelphia has been annexed by our neighbors to the north or they just want the players and fans to stand still in the freezing cold for a few extra minutes like Little Richard in "Mystery, Alaska".

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national anthem singers

I would of hoped to of had Rene sing. But what would make them choose these two? Very disappointed.

by defenz77 on Dec 13, 2009 7:22 PM EST reply actions

They have James Taylor sing this stuff all the time at major Boston sports events. Lame. I’d have preferred the Dropkicks, but it really should be Rancourt. Hell, even the Dropkicks sing that!

by Arenacale on Dec 13, 2009 8:03 PM EST reply actions

I think they should have just had Rancourt sing. I like the James Taylor pick, but Daniel Powter? Really?

Stanley Cup of Chowder: A Hearty Helping of Hockey in The Hub

by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Dec 13, 2009 11:26 PM EST reply actions

This is all NBC I’m sure. The seem to be the ones calling the shots for this thing.

by j3rockstar on Dec 14, 2009 10:00 AM EST reply actions

It really is a TV event more than a hockey game.

Stanley Cup of Chowder: A Hearty Helping of Hockey in The Hub

by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Dec 14, 2009 11:54 AM EST up reply actions

yyyyup.

Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)

by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Dec 14, 2009 2:45 PM EST up reply actions

James Taylor Sucks

and he sounds like he should be from Arkansas, not Mass.

As for Dan Powter, I don’t even know who that guy is, so he sucks too =P.

One last thing, this whole “Renee’s got Golden Pipes” thing is a huge dose of sarcasm right? I’ve never heard a voice so shaky and wobbly.

Don’t get me wrong. Rancourt is THE MAN. No other person should be allowed to sing at Bruins home games. Great guy, he’s been doing this forever and should keep doing it. I don’t care if he can’t speak, he can croak in the microphone for all I care, as long as he shows up. But to say he has “Golden Pipes” at 60 something years old HAS to be a joke.

/rant

by delta on Dec 14, 2009 12:28 PM EST reply actions

wait a minute....

I just googled Dan Powter……..great, the guy who things “Bad Day”— the Magic 106.7 smash hit for decades to come. I always look forward to hearing his voice in dentists chairs and doctor’s waiting rooms.

Seriously though, I thought that song was by Gavin DeGraw, John Mayer or some other acoustic-guitar-wielding pussy. If they’re giving us one hit wonders, why don’t they just give us Rick Astley?

by delta on Dec 14, 2009 12:34 PM EST up reply actions

James Taylor and Rene Rancourt are both legends.

Taylor was born in MA but grew up in North Carolina, so that might be why “he sounds like he should be from Arkansas”.

Stanley Cup of Chowder: A Hearty Helping of Hockey in The Hub

by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Dec 14, 2009 12:42 PM EST up reply actions

yeah well....

he’s a yankee, and should act like it haha

all kidding aside, i just simply hate his music. yes, he’s a legand, but i’m just not a fan. his voice is pretty damn monotonous. but if you truly do enjoy his music, you should consider making some blogs on NASCAR in the off season. Maybe change your name to Bubba and talk about how awesome the Canes are? hahaha the possibilities are endless

and as far as Rene’s status as a legend, I cannot argue that at all.

by delta on Dec 14, 2009 1:00 PM EST up reply actions