03/28/2024
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By: Erin Smith

ginnievarnumOne Bladen County resident got some exciting news on Tuesday —she will be singing the National Anthem during an upcoming Charlotte Hornets basketball game against the Pacers on Monday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m.

Ginnie Varnam of Tar Heel was notified by email by the NBA team that she had been selected to sing the National Anthem at a game. She is both excited and honored about being selected to perform.

“When I received the email notifying me that I was being asked to sing, my heart was racing, and I was speechless. I couldn’t get the words out to tell my husband, Devon, so I just showed him the email. I am so excited about this opportunity!,” said Varnam.

She said she learned about the opportunity as she was researching team in North Carolina who were seeking singers for the National Anthem. Varnam said that she saw the Charlotte Hornets were accepting recorded auditions through their website and decided to try it. Varnam submitted a recorded audition to both the Charlotte Hornets and to the Carolina Panthers football team.

Varnam said that she auditioned by submitting a recording of herself singing the National Anthem using an application called Garage Band she had installed on her MacBook Pro.

“It was very nerve-wracking as I tried to sing my very best while recording myself,” said Varnam.

She adds music and singing in general are passions for her. “I believe that God has given me this opportunity to sing for His glory. I am in the choir and praise team at Tar Heel Baptist Church, and I teach private music lessons in voice, piano, guitar, and drums in my home to 23 students,” Varnam said.

This is not the first time Varnam has performed the National Anthem before an athletic event. She has sung the Star Spangled Banner for the Carolina Mudcats baseball team, the Winston-Salem Dash baseball games, a Wake Forest University women’s basketball game and a Wake Forest University vs. Clemson University men’s soccer game.

Varnam says she is a basketball fan.  “My favorite college team is my alma mater, the Fighting Campbell University Camels. My favorite NBA team is, of course, the Charlotte Hornets,” she said.

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