Singing the National Anthem at the 2012 Convention

We all know how many people have messed up the National Anthem and the Star Spangled Banner, right?

Are you one of those who is sympathetic to it, taking into consideration all the intense pressure, cameras flashing, people staring and expectations?  Or, do you feel it’s something we’ve all known since childhood, have had a lifetime of practice and should nail it every time without fail?

Tomorrow is the opening day of sessions for the 2012 Republican National Convention.  In a big, covered baseball stadium locals simply call the Trop, short for Tropicana, 5,000 delegates and alternates convene.  Not to mention the press, people who will report on what kind of job you did, or didn’t do.

To everyone.  This includes your mother and her gaggle of girlfriends and your dad and his buddies.  If you miss a word, you will quickly learn what a newspaper headline is because, you will be in it. You are doomed if your voice cracks from nerves or just a dry throat.  It doesn’t matter.

Except if you are a kid, they get a pass.  And usually a standing ovation for having the guts to do it in the first place.

Not a kid anymore and now in his early 30s, New Jersey-born tenor, Philip Alongi, Jr., will sing the National Anthem at the Republican Convention in Tampa tomorrow.

At the Republican Convention in 2008, he really did nail it and got a standing ovation.  People wanted him back to reclaim his role as the most memorable performer in this venue.  Alongi’s performances include Madama Butterfly, Carmen and La Traviata.  He’s got the pipes for it.

So whether you thought Luciano Pavaroti was better at singing the National Anthem than the recently departed Whitney Houston, or you prefer avant guard types and hip hop for entertainment value,  it seems operatic expertise is what is wanted in the house.

Good luck Phil and do us a favor, knock it outta the park!