MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Yolanda Drake to Perform National Anthem on Dragons Opening Night

Published on March 22, 2018 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Yolanda Drake
Yolanda Drake
(Dayton Dragons)

Dayton, Ohio-Dayton's Yolanda Drake, an accomplished singer who has served as the opening act for musical legends like Chuck Berry, Sister Sledge, Alex Bugnon, and a host of others, has been selected as the winner of the Dayton Daily News Dayton Dragons national anthem contest. Ms. Drake will sing the national anthem in front of a sell-out crowd at Fifth Third Field on Opening Day, April 7. The Dragons will host the Bowling Green Hot Rods at 7:00 p.m. as they open their 19th season in Dayton.

Yolanda Drake, who won the Dayton Soul Singer search to perform with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and serves as the lead singer with LYD (Live Your Dream), was selected from a group of more than 200 who auditioned to perform the National Anthem at Dragons games this season. Finalists from the group who auditioned will perform at other Dragons games. The team plays 70 home games at Fifth Third Field in 2018. Her husband, Lamar "Marty" Drake, serves as the other half of LYD.

Ms. Drake was born and raised in Middletown, Ohio but has lived in Dayton for more than 20 years, has performed at numerous sporting events in the past, including the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, and pre-game festivities with the Indiana Pacers, Indianapolis Colts, and Chicago Bulls. She had never participated in Dragons national anthem auditions before this year, and while she has performed the national anthem many times, she has never sung the anthem before a large audience at a major sporting event.

"This was on my bucket list," said Ms. Drake. "I always wanted to do this on a big level. I get chills when I think of the version by my idol, Whitney Houston." Ms. Houston famously sang the national anthem at the 1991 Super Bowl.

Ms. Drake performs with LYD on most weekends, singing at festivals, casinos, amusement parks, five-star restaurants, and private functions. She has performed at venues throughout the United States.

The Dayton Daily News has served as the sponsor for all 19 years of auditions. Auditions are judged by a panel of community leaders including representatives from the Dayton Daily News.

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Yolanda Drake
Yolanda Drake
   



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