Lee Greenwood | |
|---|---|
 Greenwood in 2005 | |
| Member of the National Council on the Arts | |
| In office November 2008 – February 2022 | |
| Nominated by | George W. Bush |
| President | George W. Bush Barack Obama Donald Trump Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Makoto Fujimura |
| Succeeded by | Kamilah Forbes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Melvin Lee Greenwood October 27, 1942 South Gate, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Kimberly Payne (m. 1993) |
| Children | 6 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, saxophone, harmonica |
| Years active | 1962–present |
| Labels | MCA, Capitol, Liberty, Curb, Country Crossing |
| Website | leegreenwood |
Melvin Lee Greenwood[1] (born October 27, 1942)[2] is an American country music singer-songwriter and saxophonist.[3]
Active since 1962, he won a Grammy Award and he has charted 33 singles on the Hot Country Songs with 7 singles reaching the number one. He has sold more than 25 million copies worldwide.[4][5]
Greenwood is known for his patriotic signature song "God Bless the U.S.A.," which was originally released in the spring of 1984 and became a popular song, especially among members of the Republican Party (of which Greenwood is a member). That summer, it was included in a film about President Ronald Reagan, the Republican presidential nominee, that was shown at the 1984 Republican National Convention.[6] "God Bless the U.S.A." gained prominence during the 1988 United States presidential election campaign, when Greenwood performed the song at the 1988 Republican National Convention and at rallies for the Republican nominee, George H.W. Bush.[7][8] The song was also featured in television advertisements for Bush.[9] It later became popular again during the Gulf War in 1991 and after the September 11 attacks (becoming his highest charting pop hit, reaching number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100), and again during the 2016, 2020 and 2024 presidential elections as President Donald Trump's rally introduction track.
His seven number-ones on the U.S. Hot Country Songs list in his career: "Somebody's Gonna Love You", "Going, Going, Gone", "Dixie Road", "I Don't Mind the Thorns (If You're the Rose)", "Don't Underestimate My Love For You", "Hearts Aren't Made to Break (They're Made to Love)", and "Mornin' Ride". His 1983 single "I.O.U." was also a top-five hit on the adult contemporary charts, and a number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 143.
- ^ Colin Larkin, ed. (1993). The Guinness Who's Who of Country Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. pp. 166/7. ISBN 0-85112-726-6.
- ^ "Interview: Lee Greenwood chats his 4th of July tour, family and his music". July 1, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
- ^ "Lee Greenwood | Biography, Music & News". Billboard. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
- ^ "LEE GREENWOOD HONORED WITH 25 MILLION ALBUMS SOLD WORLDWIDE PLAQUE AT GRAND OLE OPRY | Lee Greenwood". Retrieved September 11, 2024.
- ^ Kastor, Elizabeth (July 20, 1988). "STAYING IN TIME WITH THE REPUBLICANS". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ "User Clip: Lee Greenwood God Bless the USA | C-SPAN.org". www.c-span.org. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ "User Clip: Lee Greenwood performs at Bush rally in Grand Rapids, MI; Nov. 2, 1988 | C-SPAN.org". www.c-span.org. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ "The Living Room Candidate - Commercials - 1988 - Bush America". www.livingroomcandidate.org. Retrieved July 4, 2023.