Tauren Wells has performed all over the world, but he admits his upcoming performance has him extra excited — and maybe just a bit anxious. The father of four will perform the national anthem at the Thanksgiving Day game, pitting the Buffalo Bills against the Detroit Lions.

“This is real, live and in-person,” Wells tells Everything Nash. “So this is actually a really big deal for me because it’s televised, and it’s that Thanksgiving classic game and all of that, but this was the football game that I watched every single year. Being from Michigan, from Battle Creek, Michigan, my family would be preparing our plates and sitting down in the living room to watch Barry Sanders and Scott Mitchell and Herman Moore — all of those players from back in the day. And I’ve been a diehard Lions fan my entire life, but I’ve only been to two games, so this will be my third game.”

Not only will Wells get to perform for his favorite team, but he is making the day a family affair.

“This will be my sons’ first game,” reveals the singer. “I’m bringing three of my boys with me. It’s just a tremendous honor to stand at Ford Field, and sing the national anthem that means so much to so many of us. So I’m really looking forward to it.”

Wells is no stranger to singing in front of large crowds, even on TV. But even he admits singing the national anthem live at the football game makes him more than a little nervous.

“I’ve been practicing every day,” Wells reveals. “Of course, I know the song. I’ve sung it before. I sang it a few times at a couple of Astros games and Houston Rockets games and things like that in Houston where I live, and I’m always so nervous every time. So I’ve been preparing the best that I can.”

Kickoff for the Buffalo Bills against the Detroit Lions is at 12:30 PM on Thanksgiving Day. The game will air on CBS.

Wells just wrapped up the fall leg of his Joy In The Morning Tour, which will resume in 2023. Find all of Wells’ music and upcoming shows at TaurenWells.com.

Photo Credit: Steven Taylor