CHICAGO — Blackhawks national anthem singer Jim Cornelison is used to the big stage.
But the Albany Park resident is especially excited to perform "The Star-Spangled Banner" Thursday on "The Colbert Report."
Justin Breen says he doesn't know if the Colbert audience will cheer throughout the performance:
"I've performed for many great events now on national TV, none more than for the Blackhawks, but ... this is the first time I've done a straight-up national TV talk show that has nothing to do with sports," Cornelison said late Tuesday night. "It's very exciting to me and a big bonus that I like the show."
The popular show on Comedy Central starring humorist Stephen Colbert, who soon will replace David Letterman, airs at 10:30 p.m. Thursday.
"I watch it sometimes and think Colbert is a comic genius," Cornelison said. "I'm on TV all the time, but I'm excited for this show."
Jim Cornelison sings the Star-Spangled Banner before Game 1 of the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals:
Cornelison said he was asked by a Colbert show producer to sing because it's the 200th anniversary of the national anthem, and that producer's son is a big fan of his, plus the fact Thursday is 9/11.
Even though the Blackhawks don't start playing for about another month, Cornelison has been busy. On Saturday, he sang the national anthem at Northwestern's home football game, and Sunday he belted out "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Soldier Field for the Bears' season opener. He's also set to perform at Sunday's NASCAR race in Joliet.
"Singing three anthems over nine days is not an issue," Cornelison said. "As always, I stay hydrated and don't do anything crazy the night before an anthem performance."
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