NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Grammy Award-winning blues singer Irma Thomas will perform the national anthem at the Allstate Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day.
Thomas, who is known as the “Soul Queen of New Orleans,” had her first hit single in 1959 and maintained longevity over the course of her 60-year career.
The Ponchatoula native was selected to perform because “there may be no artist who embodies the joie de vivre (joy of living) of New Orleans” more than her, according to Allstate Sugar Bowl Vice President John Sudsbury.
On Jan. 1, Thomas’ performance of the national anthem can be seen on WGNO with the matchup between No. 6 Ole Miss and No. 3 Georgia to follow…