More than five years have passed since Kodi Lee made his debut on America’s Got Talent in Season 14, and we’re pleased to say that in 2024, he’s not only still performing, but also sounds better than ever.
Lee gave AGT fans another look at his recent activities by performing “The Star-Spangled Banner” prior to the Los Angeles Lakers’ home opener for the 2024 season in a video posted by his official Instagram account. He delivered Lakers fans an unforgettable performance on October 22.
“I appreciate the opportunity to perform the national anthem on opening night, @lakers! My first live NBA game was an incredible experience! “Yeah!” the AGT alumnus captioned.
The finest aspect? Lee was presented to the audience as a “musical savant” after performing it a cappella.Yes, Lee does not require background music. His flawless tone and amazing range are all he needs.
After Lee concluded his stirring performance of the national anthem, we’re sure that everyone in the Staples Center was thinking the same thing:
“America, of course!”
Longtime followers of Lee are aware that this was not the first time the extremely gifted 28-year-old assisted in opening a significant athletic event. At the 2022 NFL Draft, Lee sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” He nailed a high note at the “O’er the land of the free” line, which stunned football fans everywhere.
(Lee’s performance obviously motivated the Lakers to start their season with a win — the LeBron James-led squad defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-103.)
Here’s what to know about “The Star-Spangled Banner”
“The Star-Spangled Banner,” a 19th-century American patriotic song composed by Francis Scott Key and sung over the then-popular British arrangement “To Anacreon in Heaven,” gained immediate popularity. After seeing the British Navy bombard Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812, Key was moved to write the lyrics. The rest, as they say, is history.
The United States Congress adopted a resolution designating “The Star-Spangled Banner” as the nation’s official anthem in 1931.
In 2024, “The Star-Spangled Banner” is played everywhere, from the opening of athletic competitions to the Olympic medal ceremonies (assuming Team USA wins gold, of course). AGT alum Darci Lynne, Sunday Night Football’s Carrie Underwood, and The Voice’s Kelly Clarkson are just a few of the gifted performers with national anthem performances on their CV.
However, as everyone knows, Lee is the only one who can sing those famous lines!
