Lee Greenwood Honors Veterans at Montgomery Fair Performance
The October 12 performance was billed as a heartfelt salute to Veterans, active-duty military personnel and first-responders
Country music legend Lee Greenwood visited backstage with friends Perry Hooper and Judy Hooper before his show at the Alabama National Fair in Montgomery. The October 12 performance was billed as a heartfelt salute to Veterans, active-duty military personnel and first-responders.
Known for his signature anthem God Bless the U.S.A., Greenwood remains on tour across the nation, sharing a message of gratitude and national pride with his audiences.
According to his biography, Greenwood has achieved seven No. 1 singles and 25 charted hits during his career. His country successes include tracks such as “It Turns Me Inside Out,” “Ring On Her Finger Time On Her Hands,” “She’s Lying,” “I Don’t Mind the Thorns If You’re the Rose,” “Dixie Road,” “Somebody’s Gonna Love You,” “Going, Going, Gone,” “You Got a Good Love Comin’,” “Fools Gold,” and “Mornin’ Ride.” In addition, he made crossover entries with songs like “Touch & Go Crazy,” “I O U” and the duet with Barbara Mandrell titled “To Me.”
Greenwood’s accolades include the Male Vocalist of the Year award from the Academy of Country Music in 1983 and two Male Vocalist of the Year honors from the Country Music Association in 1983 and 1984. In 1985 he won a Grammy for Top Male Vocal Performance for “I.O.U.” The CMA also named “God Bless the U.S.A.” Song of the Year.
The article notes that Greenwood wrote “God Bless the U.S.A.” in the back of his tour bus in 1983. That song went on to reach the top-five of the country singles chart three separate times (1991, 2001 and 2003), making it the only song in any genre to do so. It also hit No. 1 on the pop charts following the September 11 attacks. According to CBS News, it is America’s most recognizable patriotic song.
In his words:
“USA is the song I always felt the need to write. I wanted to have something that would unite Americans from coast to coast and to instill pride back in the United States. The song represents my family, my community and those men and women who have paid the price for the freedoms we all love and enjoy.”
Beyond music, Greenwood has served in public roles. He was appointed by George W. Bush to the National Endowment for the Arts Council, with Senate approval. His term continued through the administrations of Barack Obama, Donald J. Trump and one year under Joe Biden. In addition, President Biden appointed Greenwood to the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees, where he currently serves.
His literary and outreach efforts are also noted. In 2012 Greenwood published the book Does God Still Bless the U.S.A., which topped best-seller lists. The book included a 30-day “Prayers of a Patriot” calendar and two downloadable songs: a new version of “God Bless the U.S.A.” and a worship song called “Show Me the Way.” In 2015 he released an illustrated children’s book titled Proud To Be An American, which went on to sell hundreds of thousands of copies. In 2020 he unveiled the “God Bless the USA Bible,” combining the King James Version of the Bible with founding documents such as the Pledge of Allegiance, Constitution, Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence.
A major tribute to his legacy took place in 2021: the event, “An All Star Salute to Lee Greenwood” in Huntsville, Alabama featured artists including Michael W. Smith, The Oak Ridge Boys, Gavin DeGraw, Lee Brice, Dustin Lynch, and Scott Stapp. The event was filmed and released on DVD & BluRay in May 2024. 2024 also marked the 40th anniversary of “God Bless the U.S.A.”
