The Tenors get another shot at Canadian anthem at Grey Cup

After making headlines for all of the wrong reasons at the MLB All-Star Game, Canadian singing group The Tenors are getting another shot at singing O Canada on a big stage… Minus one member of their group.

Remigio Pereira, the singer who went rogue at the MLB All-Star Game, changing lyrics to the anthem to include “all lives matter” has parted ways with the group.

The Victoria, BC trio explained the decision in a lengthy message posted on the group’s official Facebook Page on Monday:

“After an extremely difficult series of discussions and much needed time for reflection, it is with heavy hearts that we confirm we are parting ways with Remigio Pereira. On July 12, 2016, during our Canadian anthem performance at the Major League Baseball All-star game, Remigio decided to change the lyrics and make a personal statement. Our group has always aspired to be a unified voice while bringing inspiration, peace, joy, and love to our audience, but that day we were pulled into a complicated and polarizing conversation – without our knowledge or consent- on what we feel was an inappropriate platform. That being said, it is very important for us to share with you all that we forgive Remigio for his actions and we wish him well in his future endeavors. The decision to move forward as a trio was very difficult for us, but due to a growing series of fundamental differences of personal and professional beliefs over the past year, we find it necessary to continue on our separate paths. We know this news will be hard for some of you to take in, but we ask for your deepest understanding and support for each one of us and our families as we move into this next chapter. We could never have expected to be put into this position and we are doing our very best to move forward with respect and compassion. We will always cherish the incredible memories we have shared with Remi and his family, and we are deeply proud of the music we have made together over the years.”

The Tenors – Clifton Murray, Fraser Walters, and Victor Micallef – will perform the national anthem at the Grey Cup on Sunday in Toronto, presumably with all of the original lyrics intact.

“Clifton, Fraser, and Victor of The Tenors are superbly talented and proudly Canadian, and we’re looking forward to having them sing Canada’s national anthem during this year’s Grey Cup in Toronto,” said CFL Commissioner Jeffrey L. Orridge.

This will mark the second time The Tenors have sang O Canada at the Grey Cup, doing so at the 2009 championship game in Calgary.

“It is always a great honour for us to be asked to sing our treasured anthem for events at home or around the world,” The Tenors said in a statement. “We are proudly Canadian and it doesn’t get any more Canadian than the Grey Cup. Thank you to the CFL and Commissioner Jeffrey Orridge for this amazing opportunity.”

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