Indiana Univ. Grad To Sing "Back Home Again In Indiana" At Indy 500

By Mike Perleberg Famed Chicago Blackhawks performer Jim Cornelison will sing the 'Back Home Again In Indiana' before the start of the 101st Indianapolis 500 on May 28, 2017. (Indianapolis, Ind.) - The mantle of "Back Home Again in Indiana" is passing to another singer for the 101st running of the Indianapolis 500. Jim Cornelison will perform the song during pre-race festivities on Sunday, May 28. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to come back to Indianapolis for the ‘500,’” said Cornelison. “What a blast! And to be asked to sing ‘Back Home Again In Indiana’ is a special treat and honor. Thanks to the team at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for thinking of me. I can't wait for Race Day!” Cornelison, a 1992 graduate of Indiana University's Jacob School of Music, is best known for his powerful rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" before Chicago Blackhawks games. The popularity of his powerful, respectful performances has led to Cornelison singing in front of national audiences at many other sporting events, including the 2012 Ryder Cup golf competition, Arlington Million horse race, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race, ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights” and two USA Rugby matches, the first vs. New Zealand All Blacks and the second vs. Australia at Soldier Field. He’s also made television performances on “TODAY,” “The Colbert Report” and “Harry Connick Jr. Show.” He has performed nationally and internationally with some of the biggest names in opera, including Placido Domingo and Zubin Mehta, and with opera companies in the United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, France and many other locations. “Jim Cornelison’s powerful tenor voice is one that most sports fans know and have heard in the United Center and on TV sets across the country,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “We are thrilled to welcome him to IMS to perform the song that means so much to every Indianapolis 500 fan – whether they are from Indiana or otherwise – and we would like to thank the Blackhawks’ organization for working with us to allow Jim to be here for this most important pre-race tradition.”