Jim Cornelison | |
|---|---|
Cornelison in 2023 | |
| Born | (1964-06-20)June 20, 1964 (age 61) |
| Alma mater | Seattle Pacific University Indiana University |
| Years active | 1995–present |
James Cornelison (born June 20, 1964)[1] is an American singer who sings "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "O Canada" at the beginning of home games for theChicago Blackhawks, accompanied by the organistFrank Pellico/Carrie Marcotte.[2] Cornelison, adramatic tenor,[3] started singing the anthem for the Blackhawks part-time in 1996;[4] he has been singing the national anthem for the Blackhawks full-time since 2007. Cornelison has sung "Back Home Again in Indiana" at theIndianapolis 500 since2017. He has also performed the anthem beforeChicago Bears home games atSoldier Field during the 2010–11 NFL playoffs,[5] as well as the 2011 season opener against theAtlanta Falcons, which fell on the tenth anniversary of theSeptember 11 attacks. He also sang the National Anthem at the home opener of the 2019 season, the opening game of the 100th anniversary of the NFL, and the 2025 season.
Cornelison also sang at the 2015NASCARmyAFibRisk.com 400 race atChicagoland Speedway.[6] He performed the National Anthem at the Bears' 2016 home-opener against thePhiladelphia Eagles and their 2025 home-opener against theMinnesota Vikings.
He frequently sang the national anthem at the opening ceremonies for theArlington International Festival of Racing atArlington International Racecourse in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.
Cornelison graduated fromSeattle Pacific University with degrees in music and psychology. He then went on to earn a master's degree in music fromIndiana University in 1992. In 1995, he moved toChicago and joined the Lyric Opera Center for American Artists.[7]
Cornelison has won several awards[8] for music, including: