Showbiz411

Superstar performer and Detroit native has a good reason to root for the Tigers in the World Series this weekend. If–let’s say when–the Tigers get to Game 5 on Monday, Franklin will sing “The Star Spangled Banner” at Tigers Stadium. (Er, Comerica Park.) Franklin, who did not record for Motown but for Atlantic Records in its heyday, has stayed true to her Detroit roots all these years. She still lives in her hometown, and is active in her father’s old church where he preached. Franklin probably would have sung at Game 3 or 4 but she’s back east this weekend performing at a couple of private shows. She doesn’t fly; she travels by luxury touring bus. So it takes a couple of days to motor home to Motown. So pray for the Tigers and set your DVRs–we’re going to get a rare chance on Monday to hear the Queen of Soul give Francis Scott Key a whirl.

Roger Friedman

Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News. Friedman previously wrote the Intelligencer column at New York Magazine, He writes for Parade magazine and has written for Details, Vogue, the New York Times, Post, and Daily News and many other publications. He is the writer and co-producer of a film about R&B Music called “Only the Strong Survive,” which was released by Miramax in 2003 and was a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals.