Lee Greenwood

Artist Image: Lee Greenwood
Attribution
Image Credit: (), Public domain

Biography

Lee Greenwood (born October 27, 1942 in South Gate, California) is an American country pop singer and songwriter. He is best known for a string of Countrypolitan hits throughout the 1980s, as well as for his hit "God Bless the USA". Early life After the separation of his parents, Lee grew up in Sacramento on the poultry farm of his grandparents. At the age of seven, he began playing the saxophone, and at the age of nine became a member of a dance ensemble. In 1969, he joined the Chester Smith Band and had his first television appearance. A short time later, he worked with the country musician Del Reeves. He founded his first band, Apollo, in 1962. He briefly battled a cocaine addiction and moved to Iceland to go to rehab. The band, which changed its name later to Lee Greenwood Affair, played mostly pop music and appeared mostly in casinos in Las Vegas. A few records were recorded in Los Angeles with the Paramount label. After the band broke up in the 1970s, Greenwood moved back to Las Vegas, where he worked as a black jack dealer during the day, and as a singer at night. Career In 1979, he was discovered in Reno, Nev., by Larry McFaden, the bandleader and bassist of Mel Tillis. After making some demo tapes, Greenwood was signed in 1981 by the Nashville-based MCA label, and McFaden became his manager. The first single, "It Turns Me Inside Out", made it to a spot in the top 20 of the country charts. Greenwood had written this song for Kenny Rogers, but Rogers turned it down due to the sheer volume of songs he had been offered at the time. "Ring On Her Finger and Time on her Hands" landed him in the country top 10. He is best known for writing and recording the patriotic song "God Bless the USA" in the early 1980s. "God Bless the USA" gained renewed popularity following the launch of Operation: Desert Storm in 1991, and again, ten years later, following the September 11, 2001 attacks; in fact, the song even re-entered the Top 20 of the country charts in late 2001. Since then, Greenwood has played at many public events and commemorations of the attacks. He supports the United States Republican Party. Theater In 1995, Greenwood took a break from his touring schedule to spend time with his wife and newborn son. In his time off, he elected to build a theater in Sevierville, Tenn., and in April 1996, the "Lee Greenwood Theater" opened its doors. This gave Greenwood the opportunity to still perform daily shows, in addition to being with his family. The theater operated for five seasons, and closed for Greenwood to continue touring. The theater was not located in the heavily entertainment and tourist oriented areas of Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and Gatlinburg, Tenn., which contributed to the theater closing. The former theater building is now host to a church. .

Details

Item Name Item Details
Year Formed 1942
Number of Albums 61
Record Label
Website
Wikipedia Lee Greenwood on Wikipedia
Social Networks

Trivia

When was Melvin Lee Greenwood born?

Sacramento, CA

...Born Melvin Lee Greenwood in 1942 in Sacramento, CA ; married third wife, Melanie (a choreographer; divorced); married Kimberly Payne, 1992; four child...
What was the name of Greenwood's third wife?

Melanie

...orn Melvin Lee Greenwood in 1942 in Sacramento, CA; married third wife, Melanie (a choreographer; divorced); married Kimberly Payne, 1992; four childr...
How many children did Greenwood have?

four

...wife, Melanie (a choreographer; divorced); married Kimberly Payne, 1992; four children. Although possessing a strong love of pop music, songwriter and...
In what decade did Greenwood rise to stardom?

1980s

...pay his musical dues for many years before his rise to stardom in the mid 1980s . Early in his musical career, he worked small venues in Las Vegas, wher...
In what city did GreenWOOD grow frustrated watching the headlines go to other performers?

Las Vegas

...n the mid1980s. Early in his musical career, he worked small venues in Las Vegas , where he grew frustrated watching the headlines go to other performe...
What type of music does country music tend to shy away from?

direct involvement in politics

...mantic material. While country music tends to shy away from direct involvement in politics , national events sometimes bring strong patriotic sentiment...
What does national events bring to the surface?

strong patriotic sentiment

...rect involvement in politics, national events sometimes bring strong patriotic sentiment to the surface. Greenwood's song, selfcomposed like most of h...
When was Greenwood born in Sacramento, California?

1942

...ts release. Greenwood, who claims Cherokee descent, was born in Sacramento, California, in 1942 , and was raised on a chicken farm by his grandparents....
What ethnicity does Greenwood claim?

Cherokee

...overshadow Greenwood's career since its release. Greenwood, who claims Cherokee descent, was born in Sacramento, California, in 1942, and was raised o...
What city did Lee come from?

Sacramento

...entally, by overworking it in a lessthanhealthy setting. Hailing from Sacramento , he used his musical training on the casino circuit, working in the g...
In what cities did Lee work?

Reno and Las Vegas

...aining on the casino circuit, working in the greenfelt jungles of Reno and Las Vegas , where he dealt cards by day and sang in dark lounges by night. T...
How many nights a week was he performing?

six

...s by night. The physical toll of two jobs, the vocal strain of performing six nights a week, and the damaging endeavor to sing in smoky nightclubs bef...
When did Greenwood break through with It Turns Me Inside Out?

late 1981

...'s premier balladeers. When it finally did, Greenwood broke through in late 1981 with It Turns Me Inside Out, in which his exaggerated vibrato brought...
What song was compared to Kenny Rogers?

It Turns Me Inside Out

... When it finally did, Greenwood broke through in late 1981 with It Turns Me Inside Out , in which his exaggerated vibrato brought frequent comparisons ...
What is Greenwood's signature song?

God Bless the U.S.A.,

...he biggest exception is also his signature song, the selfwritten God Bless the U.S.A., which earned Song of the Year honors from the Country Music Ass...
At what age did he move with his mother to Anaheim, CA?

13

...ce, he played in a western dance band called My Moondreams. At the age of 13 , he moved with his recently remarried mother to Anaheim, CA, but three ye...
Where did he move with his recently remarried mother?

Anaheim, CA

...ams. At the age of 13, he moved with his recently remarried mother to Anaheim, CA , but three years later he returned to Sacramento to live with his gr...
How many majorlabel albums has Lee Greenwood been active in the entertainment industry as a singer since 1962?

over 20

...e in the entertainment industry as a singer since 1962 and has released over 20 majorlabel albums and has charted more than 35 singles on the Billboar...
How many singles has Lee had on the Billboard country music charts?

35

...1962 and has released over 20 majorlabel albums and has charted more than 35 singles on the Billboard country music charts. He is known all over Ameri...
When did Lee first release God Bless the U.S.A.?

1984

...tic signature song God Bless the U.S.A., which he originally released in 1984 . Furthermore, Lees seven songs have charted on the number one on the US ...
How many songs have Lee had the number one on the US Hot Country Songs chart?

seven

...less the U.S.A., which he originally released in 1984. Furthermore, Lees seven songs have charted on the number one on the US Hot Country Songs list i...
How old is Lee when he celebrates his birthday?

78

...ult contemporary charts, and a number 53 on the Hot 100 Billboard. Lee is 78 years old and celebrates his birthday on October 27 every year. Lee Green...
How many hits did Lee's 1983 single I.O.U. have on the adult contemporary charts?

five

... in his career. Furthermore, his 1983 single I.O.U. was placed on the top five hit on the adult contemporary charts, and a number 53 on the Hot 100 Bil...
On what date is Lee Greenwood born?

October 27, 1942

...hday on October 27 every year. Lee Greenwood Family He was born on October 27, 1942 , in South Gate, California, in the United States to her American f...
On what day does he celebrate his birthday?

October 27

...Hot 100 Billboard. Lee is 78 years old and celebrates his birthday on October 27 every year. Lee Greenwood Family He was born on October 27, 1942, in ...
What is the name of the family that he was born to?

Lee Greenwood Family

... years old and celebrates his birthday on October 27 every year. Lee Greenwood Family He was born on October 27, 1942, in South Gate, California, in t...
What is Lee's best known hit?

God Bless the USA

...f Countrypolitan hits throughout the 1980s, as well as for his hit God Bless the USA . Early life After the separation of his parents, Lee grew up in S...
In what year did Jeremy join the Chester Smith Band?

1969

...axophone, and at the age of nine became a member of a dance ensemble. In 1969 , he joined the Chester Smith Band and had his first television appearanc...
What was the name of his first band?

Apollo

...worked with the country musician Del Reeves. He founded his first band, Apollo , in 1962. He briefly battled a cocaine addiction and moved to Iceland t...
What was the name of the band that played mostly pop music?

Lee Greenwood Affair

...celand to go to rehab. The band, which changed its name later to Lee Greenwood Affair , played mostly pop music and appeared mostly in casinos in Las V...
What label recorded a few records in Los Angeles?

Paramount

...inos in Las Vegas. A few records were recorded in Los Angeles with the Paramount label. After the band broke up in the 1970s, Greenwood moved back to ...
When did the band break up?

1970s

... in Los Angeles with the Paramount label. After the band broke up in the 1970s , Greenwood moved back to Las Vegas, where he worked as a black jack dea...
What instrument does Lee Greenwood play?

saxophone

...gby league player, see Lee Greenwood (rugby league). He also plays the saxophone . Active since 1962, he has released more than 20 majorlabel albums an...
How many majorlabel albums has Lee greenwood released?

more than 20

...ue). He also plays the saxophone. Active since 1962, he has released more than 20 majorlabel albums and has charted more than 35 singles on the Billbo...
On what chart has he released 35 singles?

Billboard country music charts

...jorlabel albums and has charted more than 35 singles on the Billboard country music charts . Early life edit Greenwood was born in South Gate, Californ...
Where was Greenwood born?

South Gate, California

...ard country music charts. Early life edit Greenwood was born in South Gate, California , a few miles south of Los Angeles. After the separation of his ...
What band was he a part of in 1969?

Chester Smith Band

...ge of seven, he started singing in church. In 1969, he joined the Chester Smith Band and had his first television appearance. A short time later, he w...
What was Del Reeves' first band called?

The Apollos

...rked with the country musician Del Reeves. He founded his first band, The Apollos , in 1962. The band, which changed its name later to Lee Greenwood Af...
When was the Apollos formed?

1962

... country musician Del Reeves. He founded his first band, The Apollos, in 1962 . The band, which changed its name later to Lee Greenwood Affair, played ...
How many albums has Lee Greenwood released since the 1980s?

over twenty

... Los Angeles, California. Since the 1980s, Lee Greenwood has released over twenty different albums with about 35 of his singles landing a place on the...
What is the name of the American country singer who was born in 1942?

Lee Melvin Greenwood

...American country singer Lee Melvin Greenwood was born on October 27th in the year 1942, in Los Angeles, California. Since the 1980s, Lee Greenwood has...
How many of the Billboard songs were number one hits?

7

...ith about 35 of his singles landing a place on the Billboard music charts, 7 of them being number one hits. Greenwoods most recognizable and popular s...
What instrument was Greenwood's first instrument?

piano

...seven when he first began to play musical instruments. His first was the piano , followed by the saxophone. A few years later, at nine years old, Green...
Who did Lee Greenwood learn a lot from?

Del Reeves

...of was named the Chester Smith Band. Lee Greenwood learned a lot from Del Reeves , so much that he decided to create his very own band. The band was na...
What was it later changed to?

The Lee Greenwood Affair

...Reeves, so much that he decided to create his very own band. The band was named The Apollos in 1962 but was later changed to The Lee Greenwood Affair ....
What type of music did Lee Greenwood Affair play?

pop

...band, which changed its name later to Lee Greenwood Affair, played mostly pop music and appeared mostly in casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada. A few records...
Where were a few records recorded?

Los Angeles

...air, played mostly pop music and appeared mostly in casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada. A few records were recorded in Los Angeles with the Paramount label....
What is Lee Greenwood's net worth?

1 5 million (Approx)

...d As American country music singersongwriter. Net Worth (Approx) 1 5 million (Approx) Lee Greenwood Wiki, Biography, Education & Career Lee Greenwood ...
What school did Lee complete his schooling at?

Not Known School

...ican country music singersongwriter. He completed his schooling at Not Known School . He completed his graduation from Not Known College. Lee also has ...
Where was Lee discovered by Larry McFaden?

Reno, Nevada

...Hot Country Songs list in his career. In 1979, Lee was discovered in Reno, Nevada , by Larry McFaden, the bandleader and bassist of Mel Tillis. Lee per...
What bandleader discovered Lee in 1979?

Larry McFaden

... list in his career. In 1979, Lee was discovered in Reno, Nevada, by Larry McFaden , the bandleader and bassist of Mel Tillis. Lee performed for Marsha...
When did President George W. Bush appoint Greenwood to a six year term at the National Council on the Arts?

November 2008

...ed for Marsha Blackburn after her victory in her Senate election. In November 2008 , President George W. Bush appointed Greenwood to a sixyear term at ...
On what date was Lee greenwood born in South Gate, California?

27 October 1942

...14. He won many achievements in his life. Lee Greenwood was born on 27 October 1942 in South Gate, California, United States By profession, He is an A...
When he started playing the saxophone, when was he?

12

...He started playing the piano when he was seven and the saxophone at 12 . In junior high, he started his first group called the Moonbeams. By the time, ...
What was his first group called?

Moonbeams

...saxophone at 12. In junior high, he started his first group called the Moonbeams . By the time, he finished High School he played most all the instrume...
When did Greenwood finish high school?

June 1960

...born in Los Angeles California & finished high school in Sacramento in June 1960 . He passed on track & music scholarships to the College of the Pacifi...
Where is the Golden Hotel & Casino located?

Reno Nevada

...ool graduation ceremony to begin work at the Golden Hotel & Casino in Reno Nevada with his own band, the Apollos. That turned out to be a great choice...
Who booked The Oak Ridge Boys?

Halsey Agency

...Nevada. He brought the singer to Nashville and got him signed to the Halsey Agency , who booked The Oak Ridge Boys. He began working with producer Jerr...
How many years did Lee record with Jerry Crutchfield?

20

...to the Halsey Agency, who booked The Oak Ridge Boys. He began working with producer Jerry Crutchfield who would record with Lee for the next 20 years....
Where was Greenwood raised?

Sacramento, California

...arents divorce, Greenwood was brought up by his grandparents in Sacramento, California , but he inherited their musical talent (his mother played piano...
Where was he part of a dixieland jazz band?

Disneyland

...ramento and Los Angeles and was even part of a dixieland jazz band at Disneyland . He played saxophone for country star Del Reeves and then formed his ...
Who was Larry McFaden?

Mel Tillis band

...eer took a major step forward when he was heard by Larry McFaden of Mel Tillis band , who became his manager. His first MCA single, It Turns Me Inside ...
What label did Greenwood switch to?

Capitol Records

...erformer of The Wind Beneath My Wings. Greenwood switched labels to Capitol Records , but this was not enough to stop the decline of his career during ...
What year did the terrorist attacks in America occur?

2002

... decline of his career during the 90s. God Bless The USA enjoyed a chart revival in the wake of the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2002 ....