Ronan Tynan Ronan Tynan , M.D. ( born 1960 in Dublin , Ireland ) is a popular tenor , singing in the classical Irish style . He is most famous for his renditions of God Bless America performed at Yankee Stadium during important New York Yankee games , such as Opening Day , nationally-televised games , and playoff games . Additionally he has sung for Buffalo Sabres during their hockey games . He is also known for participating in the 1984 Olympics . Tynan , until recently , was a member of the Irish Tenors . He left to pursue his own solo career in May of 2004 . Background Born with lower limb disabilities , Tynan had to have both legs amputated at the age of 20 due to complications caused by a car accident . Within weeks of the accident , he was climbing stairs at his college dormitory on artificial legs . Within a year , Tynan was winning in the international disabled olympics . Between 1981 and 1984 , he amassed eighteen gold medals and fourteen world records . In the following years , Tynan became the first disabled person ever admitted to the National College of Physical Education , Limerick . He went on to prestigious Trinity College , Dublin and became a physician specializing in Orthopedic Sports Injuries . Encouraged to also study voice by his father , Tynan won a series of prestigious voice competition awards and joined the Irish Tenors . Presidential performances A very close friend of U.S. President George W. Bush , Tynan has also performed in events Bush has attended . Some of them include ( bold face indicate those that took place at Washington National Cathedral ) : State funeral of former president Ronald Reagan George H.W. Bush 's 80th birthday Prayer service marking Bush 's second inauguration External link Ronan Tynan Categories : 1960 births | Living people | Irish male singers | Amputees 