Jennifer Hudson to Sing for March Madness Coverage on CBS

Posted Mar 10, 2010 by Walt Belcher

Updated Mar 10, 2010 at 09:23 AM

Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson will become the first woman to sing “One Shining Moment,” during CBS Sports coverage of March Madness., the network announced today.

For 24 years the song has been the theme for the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship. 

In a statement provided by CBS Sports, Hudson is quoted as saying “This is the biggest honor to be the first woman to record ‘One Shining Moment.’  I am so excited to be singing such a great song behind the likes of Luther Vandross and Teddy Pendergrass,” said Hudson.  “The song inspires you.  It moves you.  It motivates you and helps you reach that goal and that dream.”

Harold Bryant, Vice President Production, CBS Sports, says her rendition gives the song a modern touch but holds on to the tradition. “It is in the exclamation point to the NCAA Championship,” he says.

On April 5, nearly 40 million television viewers across the country and over 71,000 fans at Lucas Oil Stadium can hear Hudson’ rendition of “One Shining Moment” during the network’s annual video montage celebrating the Men’s NCAA tournament and the newly crowned Division I Men’s Basketball Champion.  Hudson recorded the song in Los Angeles on February 13.  “One Shining Moment” has previously been performed by its composer, David Barrett, Teddy Pendergrass, and most recently, Luther Vandross.