The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals opened in a unique way on Tuesday, April 8, as two Nashville-area musicians played the Star-Spangled Banner just before oral arguments began.
The trumpet performance was one of dozens that Steven H. Smartt has given this year as part of his effort to perform the song 100 times in 2014 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Star-Spangled Banner and promote history about the song.
Smartt played alongside Robert Early, who joins Smartt for some of the performances. Smartt said the two have been playing the trumpet since they were teenagers.
Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Robert W. Wedemeyer, an acquaintance of Smartt’s, thanked the duo for their performance, while Judge John Everett Williams remarked how important it is that citizens recognize what the national anthem stands for.
For more information about the Star-Spangled Banner’s anniversary, click here.
