John Berry to sing national anthem at force home opener
February 4, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Georgia Force News Release
ATLANTA, GA. â The Georgia Force, of the Arena Football League, announced today that country music superstar and Capitol-Nashville recording artist John Berry will perform the national anthem at the Force's home opener on Sunday, February 8th at 3:00 p.m. in the Arena at Gwinnett Center.
"Our fans will be treated to not only a country superstar, but one with great character in John Berry, who represents the same ideals as the Georgia Force and the Arena Football League, and gives back to his community," said Force General Manager Eddie Rockwell. "Having John Berry kickoff the new season and our home opener is a great addition that will add to the planned festivities."
Rockwell added, "in addition to the Force taking on the New York Dragons, our fans are going to be entertained by John Berry and a halftime salute to the football legends of the University of Georgia, where we have confirmed over 50 former Bulldog players and at least ten former all-Americas."
Born in Aiken, S.C., and raised in the Atlanta area, John Berry grew up in an eclectic musical household. His father listened to concert pianist Van Cliburn, his mother had a strong taste for gospel, his brother became an opera singer, and John gravitated to both classic soul music and country. He began recording his own albums at home in 1979 and started performing solo acoustic shows in northeast Georgia two years later. As his reputation grew, so did the local demand for his self-styled recordings. He eventually made six albums, with the last one selling 10,000 copies.
In 1992, he signed with Capitol Records, quickly raising his profile from regional to national. In April 1994, he gained his first No. 1 single with his signature song, "Your Love Amazes Me." He followed that with another half-dozen Top 10 releases: the dramatic ballads "You and Only You" and "Change My Mind," tuneful midtempo numbers "I Think About It All the Time" and "She's Taken a Shine," the punchy "What's in It for Me," and the provocative "Standing on the Edge of Goodbye". The latter song, as well as his edgy "Kiss Me in the Car," demonstrated Berry's songwriting prowess, which he tapped more fully after signing with Ark 21 in 2001.
Berry has established an international presence, with a trio of gold and platinum certifications in Canada and successful concert tours in Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe and Australia. But even as his name has gained widespread recognition, he's conscientiously used his influence to improve both the global and the local communities. He's contributed his time and talents for several children's charities and lent his name to such causes as adult literacy and cystic fibrosis. His 2001 Christmas show in Athens benefited local education fund.
Georgia Force Season tickets and flex packs are on sale and can be purchased with a credit card by calling (770) 813-7610 or visit www.georgiaforce.com. Force individual game tickets are available by calling TicketMaster at (404) 249-6400 or visit www.ticketmaster.com or by purchase at the Gwinnett Civic Center Box Office.
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