Karen Newman is an American singer and Detroit icon, best known as the longtime “voice” of the Detroit Red Wings. Born in Detroit and raised in Rochester and Grand Blanc, Michigan, she graduated from Grand Blanc High School in 1978 as one of three sets of twins in a family of seven children. She studied music at Oakland University and began her career singing in clubs, on cruise ships, and in commercials.

Newman gained prominence singing the national anthem at Detroit Pistons games in the late 1980s–early 1990s at The Palace of Auburn Hills. This led to a tryout with the Red Wings in 1991; owner Thomas Ilitch soon offered her the exclusive role, which she has held for over 30 years at both Joe Louis Arena and Little Caesars Arena. She has performed for four Stanley Cup victories and returned in 2026 for Sergei Fedorov’s jersey retirement. Hockey fans and players praise her powerful, reliable renditions of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Beyond hockey, Newman has released multiple CDs, including the patriotic How Far We’ve Come and the regional holiday hit “Christmas Eve on Woodward Avenue,” which became a Detroit Thanksgiving Parade staple and inspired her popular annual Christmas concerts (including at the Fox Theatre). She has toured with Bob Seger and Kid Rock, appeared in TV commercials, and served as a spokesperson for various Michigan companies and charities supporting children and animals.