Noah Kahan Is The Voice Of The Masters’“Georgia On My Mind” Campaign & Golf Fans Hate It: “Give Me Ray Charles Or Give Me Nothing”

Hey ESPN and The Masters… there’s still time to go back.

With just over two weeks until the Masters officially tees off, ESPN has unveiled its new “Georgia On My Mind” campaign for everyone’s favorite major tournament. There’s just one problem. They swapped out Ray Charles’ version for a cover by two-time Grammy nominated singer Noah Kahan. It’s still very early in the proceedings, but the early reviews are suggesting that… people hate it.

Here’s the thing. Using Ray Charles’ version of “Georgia On My Mind” just makes sense. He’s from Georgia, and the song highlights all of the southern state’s great features. Hell, the state of Georgia even recognizes Charles’ rendition as their state’s official song. And with Augusta National Golf Club (home of the Masters) nestled in Augusta, Georgia, it just makes too much sense.

What doesn’t make sense? Having a Vermont native in Noah Kahan tackle the song that may or may not be out of his vocal range. I apologize for being harsh towards the “Stick Season” singer, but it certainly seems like he bit off more than he could chew with this one. I don’t blame him for taking the opportunity (must be cool to be one of the voices of the Masters), but I’m not sure it was the right match.

Just take a listen for yourself and you’ll see why some are suggesting that Noah Kahan tried a little too hard with this recording:

ESPN launches its annual @TheMasters 'Georgia On My Mind' campaign

Featured in 2025, 2x GRAMMY nominated singer-songwriter @NoahKahan

Coverage begins April 9 with the Masters Par 3 Contest
Noon ET, ESPN+ & @DisneyPlus | 2p ET, ESPN

https://t.co/qcUXMRulHs | @ESPNMusic pic.twitter.com/NDWIiXq3nf

— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) March 24, 2025

Can you hear the straining?

If you ask me, any straining associated with the Masters should be left to the professional golfers feeling the pressure of the Green Jacket on the final day of the competition. In my personal opinion, this was a classic “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” situation with the Masters promo campaign.

And to be honest, it’s surprising that the prestigious golf tournament – working with ESPN – didn’t nail it with their advertising. Everything that’s under the Masters umbrella is usually perfection to a tee (golf pun intended).

When you put something out like this, the fans that expect the highest production from the Masters (and ESPN) are going to respond accordingly:

The commercials for the Masters playing “Georgia on My Mind” but not using the Ray Charles version pic.twitter.com/PoULymLsZh

— JosABanks (@thejoshbanks) March 22, 2022

Fuck whoever was responsible for this shit. Noah Kahan- great artist – subbing him in for Ray Charles, and in this ad?? Fuck you!

When you think The Masters, you think tradition. There should be 1 updated commercial w/ Ray Charles version in the background. That’s tradition! https://t.co/nuK2jBUeqr

— Christopher “Chrissy” Moltisanti (@christafah) March 24, 2025

Brutally overdone…trying way too hard

— Reginald Mcgee (@reggiemcgoo) March 24, 2025

Absolute disgrace to the great institution that the Masters and Augusta National are

— Prime Time Pettiford (@primetimepetty) March 24, 2025

Go back to the original song please, this is just not the way. Never know how good something is until you change it

— Thomas Jackson (@_ThomasJackson) March 24, 2025

With all due respect to Mr. Kahan, a VERMONT native, this is an abomination.

Ray Charles, a GEORGIA native, version is perfection. #TAStunes

— The Attack Sheet (@AttackSheet) March 24, 2025

People are going to hate on this and they should

— Helly R (@ballknower1525) March 24, 2025

The only version should be Ray Charles!! Not whatever that shit was!

— Jay Euler (@Jay_Euler32) March 24, 2025

I love him so much, but NO. Give me Ray Charles or give me nothing. #TheMasters https://t.co/YldapQ2Hnp

— AGG – Sandie (@AugustaGolfGirl) March 24, 2025

See? People would rather have nothing than a version of “Georgia On My Mind” sang by Noah Kahan.

Watch all The Masters action live on Paramount+ this year. You can get a free week by clicking here, so maybe bookmark it and sign up on April 10th…

While Kahan’s version is still fresh on your noggin, go ahead and fire up Ray’s version. I think you’ll quickly hear the difference that has people up in arms about the new Master’s promotional campaign.

“Georgia On My Mind”

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