Two Outstanding Performers Selected by Fans to Sing the National Anthem at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo
LAS VEGAS – After a three-month promotion, two performers have been selected by fans to sing the national anthem at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. The Wrangler NFR will kick off on Thursday, Dec. 2 and run through Saturday, Dec. 11.
The Wrangler NFR National Anthem Contest launched on Aug. 2. All entries had to be submitted by Aug. 23. Entries were received from 26 states. From there, an initial fan vote narrowed the list to the Top 30 and a panel of judges narrowed the list to the Top 8 for further open voting. From Sept. 27 through Oct. 4, fans voted on their selection of choice among the final eight entries. The 2021 winners were Candace Muir and Layne Beasley. Muir will perform on Dec. 7, while Beasley will appear on Dec. 10.
A native of Waynesfield, Ohio, Muir has been performing for many years and enjoys singing anytime she gets a chance. She has performed the national anthem at many national cattle shows, cattle sales and other small events. Muir also is a former singer in two local country bands and was a member of The Ohio State University A Capella group. On the professional side, she currently is a co-owner/herdsman of her family cattle and hay operation and a custom show cattle fitter. In addition, she assists in managing Graze On, her family-owned catering company.
Beasley, born and raised in Bryan, Texas, is a proud alumnus of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie class of 2017, and a current Texas A&M University employee. She grew up riding horses with the help of the North American Trail Conference and singing everywhere possible. While attending Texas A&M, Beasley joined a professional equestrian drill team, The Catalena Cowgirls. During her time on this team, the group entrusted her to sing the national anthem by horseback for numerous PRCA rodeos and equestrian events. As she states, “I’m the proud wife of a United States Navy veteran, and couldn’t be more excited to represent my community, the great state of Texas and this wonderful nation.”
The full list of anthem performers includes:
Thursday, Dec. 2 – Drake Milligan (also performing at Money, Baby! at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas)
Friday, Dec. 3 – Jenna LaMaster (also performing at Money, Baby! at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas)
Saturday, Dec. 4 – Little Big Town (also performing at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas)
Sunday, Dec. 5 – Wyatt McCubbin (also performing at Money, Baby! at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas)
Monday, Dec. 6 – William Michael Morgan (also performing at Money, Baby! at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas)
Tuesday, Dec. 7 – Candace Muir (contest winner)
Wednesday, Dec. 8 – John Wayne Schulz
Thursday, Dec. 9 – Jaida Dreyer (Canadian anthem); Tyler Booth (also performing at Money, Baby! at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas)
Friday, Dec. 10 – Layne Beasley (contest winner)
Saturday, Dec. 11 – Kylie Frey
Known as the richest and most prestigious rodeo in the world, the Wrangler NFR attracts the top 15 contestants in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding to compete for a share of the $10.257 million purse and the coveted PRCA Gold Buckle. In 2019, the event had a total attendance of 168,289 over the 10 days of competition at the Thomas & Mack Center and has sold out more than 330 consecutive performances in Las Vegas.
For more information on the Wrangler NFR and Cowboy Christmas, please visit www.NFRexperience.com or through social media at /LasVegasNFR and use #WranglerNFR. For the latest Pro Rodeo news and Wrangler NFR coverage, please visit www.prorodeo.com or through social media at @PRCA_ProRodeo.
Courtesy of NFRExperience.com