Just call me Christiana Aguilera

OK, I have never sang the National Anthem at the Super Bowl. The biggest venue I have ever sang it at was a Chattanooga Lookouts Game.

I have been singing the Star Spangled Banner since High School. I currently sing it al all Ridgeland and Heritage home Basketball and soccer games. I have messed up on the words from time to time.

The most humbling time I ever sang the National Anthem was at a Marine Corps JROTC ceremony. I sang it with tons of emotion and tried to make it as dramatic as possible. When I finished I was quite proud of myself. The Colonel walked over to me, and I thought I was going to get a big "Ata Boy!" Instead he looked at me and said "Ted, it took you longer to sing the National Anthem than it did to fight the war!"

That was an eye-opening moment from a man I highly repected. Since then, I have made an effort to sing it like it was written, like it was intended. It is one thing to add your own personal "flair" but you have to remember the most important part.....the lyrics and the melody.

Christiana Aguilera has an incredible God-given voice. I wish she was using it more for the Glory of God though.