Action 3 News - Omaha, Nebraska News, Weather, and Sports | Oh Say Can You "Sing" For The Omaha Royals?
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Omaha, NE - Oh say can you "sing" the national anthem? The Omaha Royals are holding auditions in hopes of finding the best 72 singers it can to spout off the song before baseball games.
It's a full house at Oakview mall. More than 200 singers step up to the plate to belt out the national anthem on key or off. Saturday's audition could lead to an opportunity to sing at an Omaha Royals game and Gerald Waltrip can't fathom passing it up. "I've wanted to do this my whole life," said singer, Gerald Waltrip.
At 70-years-old, Gerald stands in front of the crowd and sings, hitting his own version of a grand slam. Gerald sings for himself but also in honor of his one true love. "I lost my wife three years ago and I always wanted to do this and she knew it, so I just said this is for you," said Waltrip.
With so many people signing up, tryouts run most of the day. Everyone gives it their best shot. "Yeah I was nervous, my hand was shaking and you just hope you make it through and don't forget the words," said singer, Jill Kreikemeier.
Judges will total each singer's lyrical accuracy, tune, and projection scores. The Omaha Royals will call 72 singers telling them their in the game. "If you get that phone call and they say yes we want you to sing? I'll be there, I'll be there, I don't care what time, I'll be there," said Waltrip.
The Omaha Royals will make their decisions in the next several days.
Posted by: Reporter, Erika Summers, esummers@action3news.com
