Zac Brown Band to Debut Opening Segment for NBC's Sunday Night Baseball
The Zac Brown Band, a three-time Grammy Award-winning southern rock band, will be featured in the opening segment of NBC's Sunday night coverage of Major League Baseball. Their debut will coincide with the Atlanta Braves hosting the Cleveland Guardians in the first “Sunday Night Baseball” game on NBC. The band will perform a reimagined version of Emerson, Lake & Palmer's “Karn Evil 9, 1st Impression Part 2,” which resonated with NBC Sports creative director Tripp Dixon due to its organ and the line "Welcome back, my friends to the show that never ends." This collaboration marks a significant milestone for the band, as they join the ranks of other artists like Carrie Underwood and Lenny Kravitz who have contributed to NBC's sports programming openings.
Carrie Underwood has been the face of “Sunday Night Football” since 2013, offering a fresh take on Joan Jett's “I Hate Myself for Loving You,” while Lenny Kravitz's “Sunday Night Basketball” opening features Elvis Presley's “A Little Less Conversation.” The “Sunday Night Baseball” opening, filmed in Milwaukee, showcases the Zac Brown Band's performance and was previewed during NBC's opening night broadcast between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers. The band's lead singer, Zac Brown, expressed his pride in the collaboration with NBC Sports, highlighting the energy and genuine collaboration that went into creating the opening segment.
The idea for the “Sunday Night Baseball” opening began to take shape last November when Major League Baseball and NBC reached a three-year agreement for Sunday night games and the wild-card round of the playoffs. Despite the tight schedule, the collaboration between the Zac Brown Band and NBC Sports resulted in a unique and energetic performance that captured the essence of the sport. The upcoming weeks will see the games broadcast on Peacock and NBCSN before transitioning to NBC from May 31 through Sept. 6. For Zac Brown, a Georgia native and avid Braves fan, the debut of the opening segment during a Braves game holds special significance, adding a personal touch to the band's milestone moment.
In conclusion, the Zac Brown Band's involvement in NBC's “Sunday Night Baseball” opening marks a significant achievement for the band, aligning them with other renowned artists who have contributed to NBC's sports programming. The collaboration showcases the band's musical talent and energy, bringing a fresh perspective to the baseball broadcast. As the band's performance debuts during a Braves game, the connection to their home state of Georgia adds an extra layer of meaning to this milestone event.