On the 29th anniversary of “God Bless the USA” being released to radio, it is only fitting that today would be the day the Lee Greenwood: American Patriot exhibit be revealed at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The spotlight exhibit incorporates numerous artifacts and memorabilia spanning the artist’s 50 years in the business.
“Everything in here signifies a special moment of my career,” said Greenwood. “I could tell you a story behind each and every one of them… but this is just a small portion.”
And a story for each is no stretch of the imagination if you’ve ever spoken to Lee Greenwood. The man has a million stories, a photographic memory, and loves to talk. When asked about which artifact in the expansive display stood out to him the most, he brought me over to his 1994 award for winning Wheel of Fortune Music Stars Week, and proceeded to tell me the entire fascinating story.
“This is something that has very little to do with my overall career,” he said. “But I ended up winning $42,000 and donating it to charity… that’s something neat that stands out.”
Maybe the most telling part of the man, however, is Greenwood’s passion. He has passion for his career, passion for charity, and passion for his fans. In fact, fans passing by didn’t know he would be at the Hall of Fame until they happened upon him standing in front of his own exhibit. The most memorable of which was a young lady celebrating her 13th birthday. Not only did Greenwood take pictures with her, he sang Happy Birthday. And he didn’t stop there, pulling a couple of her friends in to sing the chorus of “God Bless the USA.”
It’s this passion that makes Greenwood the true American Patriot. This is a man who has now done 30 USO tours. He has numerous awards presented to him from United States military units and veterans groups. He has even been honored with the prestigious National Patriot’s Award, which is presented by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
And if you think it’s all because of one song, well… you may just be right. But that’s what makes that song and its singer so enduring. It would be the easiest thing in the world with a hit like “God Bless The USA” to become jaded by it, or – more likely – completely sick of it. But Greenwood isn’t. He loves it, and lives it.
“I wrote ‘God Bless the USA’ because I’m a patriot,” he explains. “I was growing up through the Vietnam conflict and was shocked at how many people weren’t saying they were proud of this country. We should be saying it and singing about it… We’re this symbol… this beacon of freedom for the world.”
Makes sense for a song with that kind of passion behind it to have lasted 30 years. The exhibit itself will run through April 25, 2014, but there is no reason the legacy behind the song and its creator shouldn’t last a lifetime.
[…] many times can an artist experience a “first” when they’ve had an expansive career such as Lee Greenwood. But, that is exactly what the Grammy award winning singer/songwriter will be working on the latter […]