Picture this:
The largest single-day sporting event on the planet is moments away from roaring to life, and the Racing Capital of the World falls silent. The 33 drivers and a crowd of more than 300,000 are ready for an Indianapolis institution: the singing of “Back Home Again in Indiana.”
And for 75 years now, we have all been
coming Back Home Again.
“Back Home Again in Indiana” at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway can be traced back to 1919, when a trackside brass band performed the song as Hoosier Howdy Wilcox was on his way to victory. However, it wasn’t until 1946 that this beloved Indianapolis 500 tradition became a staple of
“The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
On May 30, 1946, the Indianapolis 500 returned from its four-year hiatus due to World War II.
To commemorate the special Thursday morning, famed singer James Melton, of the New York Metropolitan Opera and an avid car collector, performed the ballad about one hour before the race began.
Back in a time when pre-race festivities were not common, Melton’s booming voice over the public address brought the Speedway to a hush. The response to Melton’s performance was so overwhelming that he was invited back for the next few years. In 1949, the performance was moved closer to the start of the race, approximately where it is today, and Melton performed several times between 1946 and 1954.
From 1955 through 1972, the pre-race tradition was performed by a rotating cast of celebrities and students from Purdue. The singers were usually a last-minute surprise for fans in attendance. Then, the 1972 surprise stuck around intermittently for the next 42 years.
has accompanied a majority of the “Back Home Again in Indiana” performers since 1946. However, the marching band performing on race morning can be traced back to 1919 when the marching band’s first director, Paul Spotts Emrick, forged a relationship with Indianapolis Motor Speedway management.
– J. Douglas Boles, IMS President
Nabors’ stirring rendition of “Back Home Again in Indiana” was so moving that he was asked to return in 1973 – the first consecutive repeat performer in 20 years – and the next year. And the next year. In all, Nabors sang his way into Hoosier hearts 36 times between 1972 and 2014 and became as much of a “500” tradition as fast cars and Foyt.
In March 2014, Nabors announced that year would be his last performing the revered song, and adoring fans said goodbye to the man who took the microphone as a last-minute favor and gave it back as one of the most beloved figures in racing history.
For the next few years, IMS experimented with who should follow in Nabors’ voice notes as the “Back Home Again in Indiana” singer. Nabors, an Alabama native and resident of Hawaii, had no Hoosier origins, and IMS looked for someone with Indiana ties.
Straight No Chaser, a male a cappella group that originated just down the road at Indiana University, performed a stirring rendition in 2015. For the historic 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500, Josh Kaufman, the season six winner of NBC’s hit show “The Voice,” performed alongside the Indianapolis Children’s Choir.
Then, in 2017, IMS struck gold when Indiana University alum and Chicago Blackhawks national anthem singer Jim Cornelison made the trip from Chicago to sing the beloved song.
– Jim Cornelison
The sound of this song fills the Indiana air with a buzz of energy that cannot be explained. Whether Indiana natives or Hoosiers at heart, the words of this special song strike a chord with all of us.
Look into the mammoth grandstands and you will see strangers embracing each other, swaying arm-in-arm to the music, while others around them are moved to tears. A sense of appreciation, pride and togetherness consume the legendary Speedway in one of the most special moments in all of sports.
For the next few years, IMS experimented with who should follow in Nabors’ voice notes as the “Back Home Again in Indiana” singer. Nabors, an Alabama native and resident of Hawaii, had no Hoosier origins, and IMS looked for someone with Indiana ties.
Straight No Chaser, a male a cappella group that originated just down the road at Indiana University, performed a stirring rendition in 2015. For the historic 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500, Josh Kaufman, the season six winner of NBC’s hit show “The Voice,” performed alongside the Indianapolis Children’s Choir.
Then, in 2017, IMS struck gold when Indiana University alum and Chicago Blackhawks national anthem singer Jim Cornelison made the trip from Chicago to sing the beloved song.
And he hasn’t stopped since.
“ P e r f o r m i n g a t t h e I n d i a n a p o l i s
5 0 0 i s o n e o f t h e u l t i m a t e
h i g h l i g h t s a n d p r i v i l e g e s o f m y
c a r e e r , a s t h e e l e c t r i c i t y a n d
m a g i c o f R a c e D a y a r e i n c r e d i b l e . I ’ m s o g r a t e f u l f o r t h e w a r m
w e l c o m e f r o m I n d y 5 0 0 a n d I n d y C a r S e r i e s f a n s a r o u n d t h e w o r l d . ”
– J i m C o r n e l i s o n
In March 2014, Nabors announced that year would be his last performing the revered song, and adoring fans said goodbye to the man who took the microphone as a last-minute favor and gave it back as one of the most beloved figures in racing history.
“ W e l o v e d t h a t v o i c e , b u t w h a t
w e l o v e d m o r e w a s t h e h e a r t . T h e h e a r t o f a m a n w h o u n d e r s t o o d
w h a t t h a t m o m e n t m e a n t . ”
– J . D o u g l a s B o l e s , I M S P r e s i d e n t
Nabors’ stirring rendition of “Back Home Again in Indiana” was so moving that he was asked to return in 1973 – the first consecutive repeat performer in 20 years – and the next year. And the next year. In all, Nabors sang his way into Hoosier hearts 36 times between 1972 and 2014 and became as much of a “500” tradition as fast cars and Foyt.
On the morning of the 1972 Indianapolis 500, IMS owner Tony Hulman ventured into the grandstands and found celebrity Jim Nabors, who was in attendance as a guest of casino magnate Bill Harrah. Hulman spontaneously asked Nabors, famous for his television character Gomer Pyle, if he would like to “sing a song.” Nabors obliged with no idea what he was about to sing for the hundreds of thousands of race fans in attendance, and certainly unprepared to become an Indianapolis Speedway icon.
From 1955 through 1972, the pre-race tradition was performed by a rotating cast of celebrities and students from Purdue. The singers were usually a last-minute surprise for fans in attendance. Then, the 1972 surprise stuck around intermittently for the next 42 years.
has accompanied a majority of the “Back Home Again in Indiana” performers since 1946. However, the marching band performing on race morning can be traced back to 1919 when the marching band’s first director, Paul Spotts Emrick, forged a relationship with Indianapolis Motor Speedway management.
The Purdue Univeristy
All-American Marching Band
On May 30, 1946, the Indianapolis 500 returned from its four-year hiatus due to World War II.
To commemorate the special Thursday morning, famed singer James Melton, of the New York Metropolitan Opera and an avid car collector, performed the ballad about one hour before the race began.
Back in a time when pre-race festivities were not common, Melton’s booming voice over the public address brought the Speedway to a hush. The response to Melton’s performance was so overwhelming that he was invited back for the next few years. In 1949, the performance was moved closer to the start of the race, approximately where it is today, and Melton performed several times between 1946 and 1954.
And for 75 years now, we have all been
coming Back Home Again.
“Back Home Again in Indiana” at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway can be traced back to 1919, when a trackside brass band performed the song as Hoosier Howdy Wilcox was on his way to victory. However, it wasn’t until 1946 that this beloved Indianapolis 500 tradition became a staple of
“The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
This isn’t just a song.
It’s an anthem for a
community of millions
that has turned into
its mantra.
“I k n e w e v e r y t i m e ( t h e y ) s a n g
t h a t s o n g b e f o r e t h e r a c e , i t
w o u l d b e o n e o f t h e f i n a l
m o m e n t s o f c a l m b e f o r e w e
s t a r t e d r a c i n g . I t h e l p e d s e t t h e s t a g e a n d w a s a l w a y s a g r e a t
r e m i n d e r t o m e o f h o w p o w e r f u l
' B a c k H o m e A g a i n ' w a s d u e t o i t s m e a n i n g f o r t h e r a c e . ”
- H E L I O C A S T R O N E V E S
The sound of this song fills the Indiana air with a buzz of energy that cannot be explained. Whether Indiana natives or Hoosiers at heart, the words of this special song strike a chord with all of us.
Look into the mammoth grandstands and you will see strangers embracing each other, swaying arm-in-arm to the music, while others around them are moved to tears. A sense of appreciation, pride and togetherness consume the legendary Speedway in one of the most special moments in all of sports.
Picture this:
The largest single-day sporting event on the planet is moments away from roaring to life, and the Racing Capital of the World falls silent. The 33 drivers and a crowd of more than 300,000 are ready for an Indianapolis institution: the singing of “Back Home Again in Indiana.”
BACK HOME AGAIN–75 YEARS
WHERE TRADITION NEVER STOPS
THE YEARS
T H E P e r f o r m E R S
THROUGHOUT
WHERE TRADITION NEVER STOPS
Check back soon to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of Dan Wheldon's incredible 2011 Indy 500 victory.
years
decade
2017-Present
2016
2015
2008-2014
2007
1987-2006
1986
1985
1983-1984
1982
1981
1980
1979
1972-1978
1971
1970
1969
1968
1967
1966
1965
1964
1963
1962
1961
1960
1959
1958
1957
1956
1955
1954
1952-1953
1951
1950
1949
1946-1948
Jim Cornelison (IU Alum, Chicago Blackhawks Anthem Singer)
Josh Kaufman with Indianapolis Children’s Choir (Indy-based singer, winner of “The Voice”)
Straight No Chaser (Male a cappella group, IU origins)
Jim Nabors
Race Fans and Purdue “All-American” Marching Band
Jim Nabors
John Davies with 74th U.S. Army Band (Indianapolis Opera Co.) *Nabors couldn’t make rescheduled race date
Walt Disney World Singers
Jim Nabors
Louis Sudler (Chicago Symphony Orchestra)
Phil Harris (Musician and voice actor – “The Jungle Book,”
“The Aristocats”)
Richard Smith (Purdue Glee Club soloist)
Peter Marshall (The Hollywood Squares)
Jim Nabors (“The Andy Griffith Show”)
Peter DePaolo (1925 Indy 500 winner)
Saverio Saridis (NYC Policeman-turned vocalist)
Mack Shultz (Purdue student, Varsity Glee Club)
Purdue “All-American” Marching Band
Russell Wunderlich (Purdue Varsity Glee Club member)
Ed Ames (Actor/singer)
Johnny Desmond (Actor/musician)
Vic Damone (Singer)
Brian Sullivan
David Cochard (Purdue student, Varsity Glee Club)
Mel Tormé (Celebrated Jazz singer)
Dennis Morgan (Actor/singer)
Purdue Varsity Glee Club ( Men’s vocal ensemble founded in 1893)
Brian Sullivan
Jerome Hines (New York Metropolitan Opera)
Brian Sullivan (New York Metropolitan Opera)
Dinah Shore (Singer/TV Personality)
James Melton
Morton Downey Sr. (Singer)
Frank Parrish
James Melton
Frank Parrish (Indianapolis singer, radio personality)
James Melton (New York Metropolitan Opera)
STILL SHINING BRIGHT
THRU' THE SYCAMORES FOR ME.
FROM THE FIELDS I USED TO ROAM.
THEN I LONG FOR MY INDIANA HOME.
THE MOONLIGHT ON THE WABASH
WHEN I DREAM ABOUT
SENDS ALL ITS FRAGRANCE
BACK HOME AGAIN IN INDIANA
FROM THE FIELDS I USED TO ROAM.
SENDS ALL ITS FRAGRANCE
THE NEW MOWN HAY
THRU' THE SYCAMORES FOR ME.
STILL SHINING BRIGHT
THE GLEAMING CANDLELIGHT
AND IT SEEMS THAT I CAN SEE
WHEN I DREAM ABOUT
THE MOONLIGHT ON THE WABASH
THEN I LONG FOR MY INDIANA HOME.