Lee Greenwood on 4th of July and America: ‘Grateful to be in a free country’: Lee Greenwood, a country music star, is probably best known for his iconic and moving song “God Bless the USA.” Many people find it impossible to listen to this song without shedding a tear. Despite this, his body of music over the course of his long and accomplished career is extensive, and his care and concern for America run extremely deep.
Helping A Hero is a national organization with its headquarters in Texas, and he donates a significant amount of his time and energy to the cause of bringing in thousands of dollars on a consistent basis for organizations that provide assistance to injured veterans, members of law enforcement, and other individuals.
Recently, just in time for the Fourth of July, he introduced a 42-shot firework called “Proud to Be an American” in partnership with the global firework maker Black Cat®. This explosive is currently being sold in a variety of locations across the country.
Fox News Digital chatted with Greenwood by phone as he was getting ready to kick off a hectic 4th of July holiday weekend packed with concerts and special activities. One of these performers was scheduled to take place on July 5 at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee.
He told Fox News Digital, “As a kid, I was reared in California on a farm; we were sharecroppers.” “As a boy, I was grown in California on a farm.”
“We didn’t give ourselves much of a break for the holidays. I spent most of my time working, and I have spent much of my life working, even on vacations and holidays.”
According to what he said, “So it’s not as much about the celebration [4th of July] as it is about reinforcing our faith that we are so grateful to be in a free country.”
Greenwood also stated, “I suppose my message is just to remember that freedom does not come without a cost.”
And that every time we celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks or any other kind of party, we should think of him, he continued, “Keep in mind that our service personnel and members of the armed forces paid for it with their blood. That sums up my message for the time being.”
What are his thoughts on the politicization of so much by so many people in today’s society?
He said, “It’s extremely difficult to push away from politics sometimes,” and he was right. “Of course, politics is involved in everything, and it’s not only the politicians in Washington, D.C. that are trying to turn the country their way — to the left, to the right, the middle, or whatever,” the speaker said.
He continued by saying, “What I strive to do is to stay true to my craft, true to my music, true to my family, and most certainly true to my country.”
He went on to describe the recent trip that he had taken with his family to Croatia, as well as the travels that his wife, Kim, had taken to London. Upon her return, she told him that many of the people she had met or talked to in London expressed surprise at the reports of the unrest and dissent that is occurring in the United States right now regarding so many different issues.
“And I replied to her by saying, “Well, that’s what comes with freedom.” Freedom inevitably leads to disagreement, but in times of peril, it can also bring people together “added Greenwood. “As you are aware, I was quite active and public in the process of reconstructing America in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. And I won’t stop doing that either. I work on eliminating division and fostering togetherness in all that I do.”
He stated that his family and faith are his top priorities, and that they play an important role in every aspect of his life.
Greenwood noted that he is routinely thanked by attendees of his concerts and other events after their performances.
“I’m humbled by it, and I don’t really need justification for what I do, but I’m glad that people recognise that this isn’t on the surface for me,” he added. “I’m glad that people recognise that this isn’t on the surface for me.” This hits me on a very personal level.”
He expressed that he finds it “quite great” that people take the time to thank him or share their feelings of appreciation or ideas with him, particularly in reference to his renowned song “God Bless the USA.”
He went on to say that people of all ages were affected by the problem. It would appear that the grandparents passed it down to the parents, and then the parents passed it on to the children.
Greenwood reportedly stated that “It’s nothing fancy; it’s just a piece of music that seems to have struck a chord with listeners. When it is performed at the conclusion of fireworks exhibitions, “God Bless the USA” carries a great deal of significance for listeners “he mentioned other occurrences as well.
Greenwood commented that “It’s nothing fancy; it’s just a piece of music that seems to have struck a chord with listeners. When it is performed at the conclusion of fireworks exhibitions, “God Bless the USA” carries a great deal of significance for listeners “he mentioned other occurrences as well.
Greenwood disclosed that “God Bless the USA” was not intended to be released as a single at any point in the song’s history.
“I’m a California sharecropper farmer who worked primarily in the cotton industry for the majority of my life. I had no concept that it would ever get to the point where it is now; I was completely unprepared. In 1983, when I was still signed to MCA, I penned the song specifically for inclusion on one of the label’s albums. It was neither suggested nor guaranteed to be a single release.”
“Only the Universal Company asked for it to be the single off of that album [later]; at the time, I had perhaps four or five albums under contract with MCA. And if they hadn’t taken that decision, I don’t think it would have ever been heard in the first place.”
However, according to Greenwood, “that’s the way God works.”
“You come up with a plan, but then things turn out differently, and the reason for this is that you can’t truly plan for what His plan is. This is an axiom that I live by.”
What is it that drives him on?
“I take great pride in my work. I enjoy singing, I take pride in being a musician and an artist, and I take great pleasure in performing for others.”
Recently, Lee Greenwood inaugurated his very own Patriot Awards, and this coming weekend, his organization will be recognising Tony Orlando for his service.
In addition to this, he is actively engaged with the Houston-based charity Helping A Hero, which gives back to brave American soldiers who have been injured in battle.
He expressed his feelings by saying, “Doing this fills my chest with pride.”
He described Helping A Hero as “very singular.”
“We’ve provided 200 homes in 10 years, and this year we’re on a fast track to do another 100 homes,” he said, adding that thanks to CEO Johnny Morris of Bass Pro Shops, who is supporting the first 10 of those 100 new homes. “We’ve given 200 homes in 10 years,” he said.
According to Greenwood, anyone with an internet connection can go to HelpingAHero.org or LeeGreenwood.com to lend a hand to “wounded soldiers who need and deserve a home.”
Greenwood has a discography that includes more than 30 CDs.
And he stated that when he performs a few of the songs from that tremendous body of work, people tell him, “You should sing that.” “Oh, yes, I do recall hearing about that! And I do recall hearing about that. And I am also recalling that particular incident.”
Kimberly Payne, who held the title of Miss Tennessee when she was younger, is Lee Greenwood’s wife. They have been blessed with two kids, Dalton and Parker, and tied the knot in Nashville in 1992.
The Country Music Association presented “God Bless the United States of America” with the Song of the Year trophy in 1985.
