What comes to mind when you hear “Nickelback”? Maybe a few jokes and maybe even a few songs from their albums.
Now they are going to be associated with Detroit when they play at halftime during the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers football game on Thanksgiving.
Residents of Detroit do not want this to happen. A petition was even started to get “Nickelback” to not perform. Residents said that they would rather have “Kid Rock,” “Eminem,” Ted Nugent and Bob Segar perform at halftime.
According to an article online for the “Hollywood Reporter,” 50,000 residents signed the petition. Some of them even said things like, “This game is nationally televised, do we really want the rest of the U.S. to associate Detroit with Nickelback?” and “I’d rather see Rebecca Black unleash her newest song “Thursday” at halftime than have to listen to “Nickelback.”
I find these comments somewhat harsh. “Nickelback” has held concerts in Detroit and people have supported them. They have had four sold-out shows in Detroit. And according to an article on NFL.com, 92,000 tickets were bought by fans for “Nickelback’s” last two tour cycles with stops in Detroit. The hatred that residents of Detroit are showing “Nickelback” doesn’t make sense.
One fan started the petition. That guy is a brave soul. I wouldn’t try to tackle a band like “Nickelback” and an organization like the Detroit Lions.
Sure, the Lions are having a successful season, but the selection of the halftime show performer doesn’t necessarily reflect the season. This fan just wants the band gone because he doesn’t like them. He doesn’t think they are good performers.
To me, halftime shows haven’t been all that great. I wasn’t fond of the “Black Eyed Peas” performance at the Super Bowl. It may have had something to do with the sound quality, but I didn’t care for it.
At first, I wasn’t okay with the choice. Sure, “Nickelback” is popular, but they aren’t as popular as they used to be. I wouldn’t mind seeing one of the other options Detroit residents thought of. Now, after researching this and understanding the issue better, I think that the reason for them to not play is dumb.
I own some of the “Nickelback” albums. I listen to their music. I’ve never seen them perform live, but now I can’t wait to see them perform at the halftime show.
They could come out and surprise everyone with a rocking halftime show. I am hoping that is exactly what they do. They need to go out there and prove to the 50,000 Detroit residents who signed the petition that they were wrong.
On Thanksgiving, I’ll be sitting around the TV watching the Lions. That is what the day is about for me. I would rather enjoy family, food and football than worry about something minute like who is performing during the halftime show.
We should be thankful they still want to perform after a petition as dumb as this one. I am going to take it with stride and enjoy the day.
There is more to the Thanksgiving game than who is performing at the halftime show. Remember that.
[WRITER’S NOTE: ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE NOVEMBER 2011 EDITION OF “THE PULSE”]