Curt Cavin and David Lindquist

IndyStar

The booming baritone heard ringing through Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been that of Jim Nabors, but he won't part of the Indianapolis 500 in the future. After singing "Back Home Again in Indiana" minutes prior to the Indianapolis 500 35 times since 1972, Nabors made the 2014 race his last.

The pressure of recommending another artist — either for a single year or for years to come — falls on second-year IMS president Doug Boles. In many ways, it's the most important to-do item on his off-season list.

Nabors, 84, not only was an icon at the Speedway, but he's also long been best buds with the highest levels of the Hulman-George family. And with all due respect to the National Anthem, Nabors' rendition of "Back Home" is the one that has lifted Hoosier hearts and balloons on Memorial Day weekend.

So, who's next? The list of candidates apparently is as long as the song is old.

"Pick every Indiana artist you've heard of and somebody has suggested them," Boles recently told The Star.

Boles confirmed he's been pitched with (but not necessarily by) Josh Kaufman, Sandi Patty, John Mellencamp, the Indianapolis Children's Choir, even Straight No Chaser. To further vet the list, we bring in David Lindquist, The Star's pop music expert.

JOSH KAUFMAN

Indiana connection: Reigning champion of "The Voice" lives in Indianapolis, attended Anderson University and graduated from IUPUI.

Most famous song: Rendition of Sam Smith's "Stay With Me" reached Top 5 of iTunes chart.

Lindquist's analysis: Kaufman would be a dignified successor to Nabors, and someone the under-30 set knows. Only possible drawback: Kaufman's voice is so impressive that he might intimidate race fans who want to sing along.

JOHN MELLENCAMP

Indiana connection: Rock and Roll Hall of Famer grew up in Seymour, lives in Bloomington and owns a recording studio in Brown County.

Most famous song: "Jack & Diane" reached No. 1 in 1982.

Lindquist's analysis: Indiana's rock star has mellowed in recent years, but not enough to embrace this goodwill ambassador role.

INDIANAPOLIS CHILDREN'S CHOIR

Indiana connection: Musical education initiative launched in Indianapolis in 1986.

Most famous song: Forty-five choir members sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" with Kelly Clarkson before Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Lindquist's analysis: The song would sound great, and the ICC's format would keep the performers forever young and never susceptible to ego trips.

SANDI PATTY

Indiana connection: Contemporary Christian singer and Anderson resident was named an Indiana Living Legend in 2007.

Most famous song: "Was It a Morning Like This?" appeared on Patty's Grammy-winning album "Morning Like This" in 1986.

Lindquist's analysis: No candidate on this list would sing a better version of "Back Home Again in Indiana," but Patty isn't the choice if you're looking for celebrity buzz or novelty points.

STRAIGHT NO CHASER

Indiana connection: This a cappella singing group formed on the campus of Indiana University in 1996.

Most famous song: Straight No Chaser's 1998 rendition of "The 12 Days of Christmas" has been viewed more than 17 million times at YouTube.com.

Lindquist's analysis: Same positive attributes of the Indianapolis Children's Choir, but grown-ups. Straight No Chaser, largely associated with Christmas music, could use a steady gig when the weather's warm.

AXL ROSE

Indiana connection: Born in Lafayette in 1962, Rose dropped out of Jefferson High School before hitchhiking to California to start rock band Guns N' Roses.

Most famous song: "Sweet Child o' Mine" topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1988.

Lindquist's analysis: Bad-boy lead singer on the mic before the Indy 500? We've been down this road before, when Aerosmith's Steven Tyler sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" before the 2001 race. And that ended poorly, with Tyler improvising lyrics: "For the land of the FREEEEEEEE! And the home of the Indianapolis 500!"

JANET JACKSON

Indiana connection: Born in Gary, Janet was the ninth and final child in the musically mighty Jackson family.

Most famous song: "That's the Way Love Goes" topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1993.

Lindquist's analysis: For better or worse, Janet's infamous "wardrobe malfunction" during the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show likely disqualifies her for a live-TV showcase such as this.

CHRIS BOTTI

Indiana connection: Top-selling jazz instrumentalist studied trumpet at Indiana University.

Most famous song: For a 2005 album titled duets, Botti collaborated with Blue Nile vocalist Paul Buchanan on a cover of "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" — a tune popularized by Elvis Presley in 1960.

Lindquist's analysis: An instrumental version of the the song would be a major departure from Nabors' work. But in Botti's favor, his rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" moved Reggie Wayne to tears before the Colts-Giants game in New Jersey on Nov. 3.

KENNETH "BABYFACE" EDMONDS

Indiana connection: Born in Indianapolis in 1958, this 10-time Grammy winner attended Crooked Creek Elementary, Westlane Junior High and North Central High School.

Most famous song: "Whip Appeal" reached the Billboard magazine Top 10 in 1989.

Lindquist's analysis: Throughout his career, Edmonds has been more of a behind-the-scenes genius than electrifying frontman. His songwriting credits include Boyz II Men's "End of the Road," which spent a record-breaking 13 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard magazine's Hot 100 chart in 1992. His production credits include Madonna's "Take a Bow" and Whitney Houston's "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)." Of course, if Edmonds could convince Madonna to sing "Back Home Again in Indiana" at the track, that might not be the best idea, either.

DAVID LEE ROTH

Indiana connection: Born in Bloomington, this Van Halen vocalist spent his early years in New Castle. He's the grandson of Russian immigrants who operated a general store in Henry County. "I'm as Indiana as the first day of summer vacation," Roth told The Star in 2002.

Most famous song: "Jump" topped the Billboard magazine Top 100 in 1984.

Lindquist's analysis: You could do a lot worse than giving DLR the job. He's avuncular, fun and always ready and willing to promote the product.

Follow Curt Cavin and David Lindquist on Twitter at @curtcavin and @317lindquist.