Jackson Dean Nicholson found himself in an awkward position when he realized no one was available to sing the national anthem before his high football game. Fans and players could have listened to a tape, but the high school senior wasn\u2019t sure a recording would do the song justice. So this aspiring singer\/sportsman offered fans his own rendition instead!<\/p>\n
The following video of his performance quickly went viral, with thousands of people lauding this creative teen\u2019s performance. Not only was it incredibly brave to play in front of so many people, Nicholson\u2019s acoustic rendering of The Star-Spangled Banner rightly floored fans \u2013 in the stadium and around the country \u2014 with its creative country style.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was very cool,\u201d the surprise performer told The Baltimore Sun. \u201cI probably knew 90 percent of the people sitting in those stands, and they had no idea I was doing it \u2018til I brought my guitar out,\u201d he said. Nicholson\u2019s patriotic gesture quickly set the virtual world ablaze, trending on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other social media, and drawing thousands of comments. Fox News even broadcast the teen\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n
But even though Nicholson\u2019s performance was rather impromptu, this high school senior puts as much effort into singing, playing and songwriting as he does practicing with the team. Other examples of musical talent are available on his YouTube channel, which is filled with works dating back to his freshman year. One piece, \u201cMan Upstairs,\u201d has even made into a music video. Nicholson\u2019s musical dreams even trump his athletic ambition. \u201cThis is my last year, then I\u2019m done,\u201d he says. \u201cI\u2019ve got until January. I\u2019ll have all my credits done, and I only have to be enrolled for this semester. I got a waiver by my principal, and she\u2019s very supportive of what I do.\u201d
\nWhat do you think of this high schooler\u2019s performance? Check it out in the video below!<\/p>\n