Ayla Brown National Anthem Performance (And Behind The Scenes Photos From The Boston Marathon)
It was an honor to be asked to sing the National Anthem before the Boston Marathon. It was an amazing experience! Here's a closeup of my outfit, created and made by David Josef!
This year was the 128th Boston Marathon and I was asked to sing the National Anthem before the racers hit the pavement! Actually, if I’m being technical, I sang three different times throughout the morning, and our morning show did a live broadcast at the starting line in Hopkinton.
The first song I performed happened prior to the wheelchair racers at 8:55am. This Anthem was the “official” kickoff of the Boston Marathon. It was also a big moment for me because I had two military jet flyovers at the conclusion of the song. Plus, this Anthem was televised locally on WCVB, and apparently nationally on ESPN as well. How cool is that!
The second song was “God Bless America,” at 9:33am and that was performed before the elite runners (you know, the ones who actually run to win the race). And then I sang one more time at 9:55am, and it was once again the National Anthem before the star of the main group of runners. These were the runners who qualified and raised money for various charities. Turns out, there were over 30,000 participants in this year’s Boston Marathon.
Video Of Ayla Brown National Anthem
Jonathan Wier and Ayla Brown Interviewed Rob Gronkowski and Camille Kostek
Former New England Patriots superstar, Rob Gronkowski was the Boston Marathon’s Grand Marshal this year. While our show was doing the live broadcast I saw him out of the corner of my eye and mentioned that I wanted him to come over to the booth to get a picture with us. That was just the beginning. Both he and Camille stepped right in for a random, unplanned interview.
Gronk even hinted at a possible return to the Patriots with Tom Brady!
Last week, Tom Brady said that if he got the call from the Patriots that he would definitely consider it a possibility. Jonathan and Ayla asked Gronk about that, and also whether he would return. The answer left us thinking… anything is possible.
Behind The Scenes Photos From Marathon Monday
6 Of The Best Country Songs For Running
Happy Marathon Monday! Most of us aren’t running the legendary 26.2 mile course, but many of us appreciate a little jog now and then. Need some jogging jams for your playlist? I got you. Here, you’ll find a list of 6 best country songs for running. At least they are in my opinion, and they are all run-themed tracks.
Music can definitely help to keep us motivated and moving. Even when your legs tell you they are done, songs like these tell you to keep going. Plus, music helps you to keep the pace and help you with breathing in rhythm for endurance.
Research Says Music Is Good For you
The National Institutes of Health say that listening to music while exercising may very well provide positive psychological and physiological results. It can help with mood and motivation (psychological) and “perceived exertion” (psychophysiological). People from all walks of life use music for these reasons, whether you are an athlete or weekend warrior.
Heading out the door hooked up with 6 of the best country songs for running included in your playlist can be a game changer. You know how you feel when you your favorite new song on the radio comes on? Or how about the feeling when you are at a concert and the artist plays the song you and your best friend used to sing at the top of your lungs? It’s euphoric.
Having a theme in your running playlist only makes it more fun. You can personalize your musical journey to your activity. How great is that? So, lace up and pop in your ear buds. Get ready to hit the pavement or wooded trail and jam out to your running songs. Check out 6 of the best country songs for running, below.
You’ll find a few fun throwbacks here and maybe one you didn’t know about. All will work well for different paces. And country music just has such a joyful vibe about it. It makes you think of summer, concerts, friends and singalongs. Have a fun run!
Ayla Brown has been an on-air morning show host with Country 102.5 since 2018. Before taking this once-in-a-lifetime job, Ayla was (and still is) a country music singer. In 2006, she placed 13th on American Idol. In 2012 and 2013 she celebrated her Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium debut, and over the years she has visited 13 countries overseas to sing for the American Troops.
Country music is in Ayla Brown’s soul. Not only does she sing it, but she gets to talk about it every day on “Country Mornings with Jonathan and Ayla.”
Ayla is happily married to singer-songwriter, Rob Bellamy, and they welcomed a son named Barrett in August of 2022. In her free time, she loves to sew baby bibs and experiment with new recipes in the kitchen. She also loves to travel and try new foods. Ayla writes about Boston area happenings, parenting, holistic lifestyle and living, and travel.
