By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
Tommie Burton never imagined he’d sing for a professional sports team, much less become the official national anthem singer for the Seattle Kraken. But what started as a passion for music and a spontaneous trip to an open mic has led him to one of the city’s biggest stages.
“That is how I would characterize it. I enjoy singing, I enjoy giving to others, and I encounter these opportunities just in the course of doing the work that I love,” said Burton. “It was such a big surprise to me [becoming the anthem singer for the Kraken].”
Although singing has brought Burton joy for as long as he can remember, he didn’t begin his professional music career until later in life. Born and raised in Memphis, Burton grew up surrounded by talented gospel singers in a prominent church community. In 1991, Burton moved to Seattle, where he attended Franklin High School. After graduation, he spent his time working and going to school full time, and in the early 2000s, he eventually began his musical career.
“In my early days, I didn’t think I had the talent to sing, but I still always loved it. Later in my life, I sort of began to feel the desire to sing,” Burton said. “During my spare time, I would listen to a lot of soul and R&B music, always actively singing.”
That casual singing led him to an open mic night at Larry’s Greenfront, a bar in Pioneer Square. One Sunday evening in 2002, fueled by courage and passion, Burton stepped on stage and sang “Always and Forever” by Heatwave. By the end of the song, Burton, who was overwhelmed by the response, had wooed the crowd, and they burst into applause in appreciation of his vocal talents.
“It was the strangest thing because right after I got off the stage, I ran out of the building,” Burton said. “I was just so nervous for the weight of it, but I would say in that moment I kind of cracked the seal of what would become something much bigger than I could ever think of.”
Over the next few years, Burton’s popularity on the local karaoke scene would grow, as he would routinely perform at various spots, singing classic hits by artists such as Al Green and Stevie Wonder.
Kenya Léger, a choral conductor and vocalist who works with several choirs in Seattle, has known Burton for years through the gospel music scene, says that Burton stands out amongst the most talented singers in Seattle.
“There are dozens of good singers in and around the city, but he adds something different,” says Léger. “Tommie brings to the table a lot of personality and joy. So, I think what folks really connect with is not just his talent, but his personality. You can see that his personality just bubbles over when he smiles and waves at the crowd when he is wrapping up the [national] anthem.”
In 2004, Burton, with the encouragement of a co-worker, tried out for American Idol. At first, he was unsure about the endeavor, but decided to take a leap of faith and signed up for the auditions. Even though he was not chosen to compete by the judges, for Burton, the moment served as another important step in his musical career.
“I was lukewarm about it because it just felt like such a big endeavor to take on, but I took that leap of faith. When I finally got to try out, I sang two of my staple karaoke songs that I had been practicing within the Seattle karaoke clubs,” Burton said. “So, I sang in front of the panel, everybody loved it, and it was just an amazing feeling. It looked like I had it, but then I didn’t advance to the next round.”
“It was a great experience, and it pushed me to continue to sing and see what else was out there,” added Burton.
By 2021, Burton was performing with various local groups and ensembles around Seattle, including the Northwest African American Museum’s Cultural Ensemble, and it was here where Burton’s fate would cross paths with opportunity. The choir had received notice that the Seattle Kraken wanted them to perform at an upcoming game.
“We were notified that the Kraken wanted us to sing for them for Black Hockey History Night,” recalled Burton. “And later on, they let us know that they wanted us to sing the national anthem, and everybody in the choir seemed to just look at me.”
“So, on Black Hockey History Night, we all went to the Climate Pledge to sing, and then right after I stepped forward and sang the national anthem, and everyone loved it,” added Burton.
That solo debut at Climate Pledge Arena was soon followed by an additional call in April 2022 from the Kraken. Ultimately, Burton was invited to audition to become the official anthem singer for the Kraken.
“The submission window was open for a period of time, and all singers selected for the audition, including myself, auditioned on the same day in August 2022,” said Burton. “I auditioned, and the following week they reached out to me and offered me the job. I was very thrilled about it, and it was just a dream come true. And let’s just say that the rest is history.”
To Léger, it came as no surprise that the Kraken pursued Burton following his debut on Hockey Black History Night.
“When they asked him to come back and do it again, that was not a shock to us at all,” said Léger. “I just think he does such a great job, he truly seems like a natural.”
Despite his experience performing in front of crowds, Burton says the thrill of singing before thousands is something that still sends chills down his spine. However, there is no greater joy than the appreciation he receives from the fans as he concludes the national anthem with a prideful smile on his face.
“Sometimes I have to pinch myself, like, wow, I am really singing in front of 17,000 fans,” said Burton. “The anthem is a time where we get to be as one and celebrate our common American heritage, and I think that there are times where just as a country we need to be on the same side, and the anthem is that moment to accomplish that.”
“It is just an honor to be able to sing, represent our city, and bring our community together,” concluded Burton.
