The stars (and stripes) are shining in Texas.
The MLB All-Star Game is set for Tuesday, as the best ballplayers from the AL and NL get set to square off in the exhibition match. The contest follows a successful Monday night at Globe Life Field, where Teoscar Hernandez won the 2024 Home Run Derby, besting Bobby Witt Jr. in the final round.
As is tradition at the ballpark, a rendition of the National Anthem must be sung before the action begins. There has already been one version of the Star Spangled Banner that was widely criticized during the All-Star events. Country singer Ingrid Andress was on the receiving end of plenty of criticism after she struggled through the anthem before the Home Run Derby. Andress addressed that performance Tuesday, saying she was drunk and will enter rehab.
Andress wasn’t scheduled to be on the mic again tonight for the All-Star Game. Instead, another country star will take the stage.
MORE: The worst National Anthem performances of all time
Here is what to know about the anthem singer for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game.
Who is signing the National Anthem at the All-Star Game?
Cody Johnson is singing the National Anthem at the 2024 MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night.
Who is Cody Johnson?
Johnson is a multi-platinum selling country music star. A native of Sebastopol, Texas, he comes from a musical family and started singing at a young age. The 37-year-old is known for his hits such as “‘Till You Can’t”, “Me and My Kind”, and “The Painter.”
The Texas native is no stranger to belting out the Star Spangled Banner on the diamond. Johnson previously performed the National Anthem ahead of Game 7 of the 2018 ALCS between the Astros and Red Sox, Game 7 of the 2019 World Series between the Astros and National, and at Opening Day for the Astros in 2023.
This is not the first time Johnson is taking center stage in Arlington. The singer threw out the ceremonial first pitch to kickstart the season for the Rangers in 2024, and he also took in a few swings in the batting cage.
Welcome to the @codyjohnson show! pic.twitter.com/ls5BdBJJU5
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) April 24, 2024
Cuts with CoJo. 🤠@codyjohnson x #StraightUpTX pic.twitter.com/xeOLdsWEqC
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) April 23, 2024
He will return to Globe Life Field during his “Leather Tour” later this winter, with a show scheduled in Arlington on November 9.
