WATCH: Leo Welsh sings Canadian anthem at MLB All-Star Game
Columbus Blue Jackets anthem singer Leo Welsh sang the Canadian National anthem at the MLB All-Star Game in Cincinnati this past week. Welsh also sang "O Canada" at the NHL All-Star Game this past year.
LEO! Watch @LeoWelsh sing the Canadian national anthem at the @MLB All-Star game! #CBJ https://t.co/a1YABcwVbH
— NHL Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) July 16, 2015
The anthem singer has gone from singing a cappella in his local church at age seven to being the anthem singer for the Blue Jackets. Welsh comes from a family of singers.
He was a member of the St. Clairsville Singers in high school and studied voice at Ohio University. Welsh eventually built a career signing opera in Columbus, Ohio, before getting the chance to audition for the Blue Jackets.
Welsh ultimately landed the job singing the anthem for half of the Blue Jackets' home games, then eventually taking over full time. Now Welsh, in either a custom Blue Jackets jersey, or a tuxedo for special occasions, sings a rousing version of the national anthem before every Blue Jackets' home game. His performance is always accompanied by two trademarks: a fist pump and a crowd-wide cheer of "LEO!"
Along with two All-Star Games, Welsh has performed for crowds at NASCAR races, Cleveland Indians games and Cincinnati Reds games.
"I can't believe that I've been fortunate enough to sing at both All-Star games in Ohio this year," Welsh said to BlueJackets.com. "What a thrill for me and my family. I know it all would not have been possible without thanking many people, too many to list."
