Sask.’s Hunter Brothers sing anthems at Jays’ season opener

He grew up watching the Toronto Blue Jays on television at his home in Shaunavon. Now, J.J. Hunter gets to take the field for the team’s home opener.

But Hunter won’t be hitting home runs or throwing strikes. Rather, he’ll be singing the U.S. and Canadian national anthems alongside his siblings in The Hunter Brothers.

“To have this opportunity to be part of the opening-day ceremonies and singing the anthems is just a dream come true,” J.J. said Thursday on Saskatchewan Afternoon with David Kirton.

The Jays are taking on the Detroit Tigers in Toronto on Thursday afternoon.

Hunter said he and his brothers aren’t nervous to be singing the anthems at such a high-profile event. He said they worked to get both songs down early on in their career.

“We learned them quite early on and we’ve been fortunate to have some very special opportunities to sing the anthems,” he said, pointing to being invited to sing for Ryan Smyth’s 1,000th NHL game in Los Angeles and doing the anthem at a Saskatchewan Roughriders game.

With memories still vivid in his mind of seeing Jays legend John Olerud hit a home run live, and watching the Jays’ iconic back-to-back World Series wins on television, Hunter said Thursday’s performance will be extra special for him.

“As a young kid, those memories last forever and so I’ve been hooked ever since,” he said.