(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — There was no baseball on Chicago’s South Side Thursday night, but there was still plenty of competition at Guaranteed Rate Field. Seven local singers got to put on a special performance, in hopes of an even bigger performance next month.
“I’m so excited. I’ve watched people do it and every game that I come to, I’m like ‘I want to do that. I know I can do that. I know I can.’”
For Devona Dawson of Palatine and the six other finalists of the White Sox National Anthem Contest, it was time to prove it. They sang in front of a tough panel of judges, including Hall of Famer Harold Baines.
“I love the National Anthem so I’m going to try my best to give them a fair shot of their dream. This is their dream, not my dream. I already had my dream of playing baseball, so I’m going to be pulling really hard for them.”
Waiting in the wing for his shot to sing the anthem on the field was Leonard Jones from Bolingbrook.
“My son said I should do this. He was the one that said ‘Dad, why don’t you give it a go.’ And I said ‘okay, I’ll come and sing.”
Jones actually sang the anthem at a Sox game some 40 years ago, but was craving another swing at it.
Keeping the nerves at bay, Jones kept his focus on remembering the words. And we can confirm he did.
The winner, who will sing at the Sept.10 White Sox/Guardians game, will be announced next week.
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