Whistler wows with wordless rendition of national anthem

June 1st, 2024

Orioles fans are used to seeing Hall of Famers at Camden Yards -- just not Hall of Famers like this.

But such was the case in Baltimore on Wednesday, when renowned whistler Chris Ullman came to the stadium to whistle the national anthem before the Orioles took home a 6-1 win against the Red Sox.

The video speaks for itself. But who’s the person behind the viral clip?

According to his website, Ullman is a four-time international whistling champion, along with being a 2012 inductee into the International Whistling Hall of Fame. Beyond his competitions, notable whistling experiences for Ullman have included serenading George W. Bush and Dick Cheney in the White House during the former’s presidency, whistling the national anthem at sporting events including but not limited to Wednesday’s game and performing with 10 different symphony orchestras.

Despite his whistling prowess, though, Ullman does have a day job. Outside of his musical gift, he’s a communications professional, author and inspirational speaker. Currently, he’s the President of Ullman Communications, a strategic advisory firm, and he also previously served as Director of Global Communications at The Carlyle Group, led communications at the White House Budget Office, ran the public affairs office at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and was spokesman for the U.S. House Budget Committee.

Ullman, who has written two books, has a wife, Kristen, and lives with her and their three children in Alexandria, Va. And for what it’s worth, he does listen to music with conventional lyrics, too.

All in all, Ullman is a modern Renaissance man -- and we can all keep our eyes out for which stadium he might be hitting next.