Melvin Lee Greenwood is a renowned American country music artist with a career spanning over six decades. He is recognized for his talents as a singer, songwriter, and saxophonist. Greenwood has produced over 20 studio albums under major labels and has secured over 35 chart-topping singles on the Billboard country music charts.
October 27, 1942: Birth of Lee Greenwood
Melvin Lee Greenwood was born on October 27, 1942.
1960: Greenwood's First Marriage
Lee Greenwood eloped with Edna Greenwood in Reno, Nevada, in 1960.
1962: Greenwood's Musical Beginnings
Lee Greenwood began his active musical career in 1962.
1962: Formation of The Apollos
Lee Greenwood founded his first band, The Apollos (later renamed Lee Greenwood Affair), in 1962.
1969: Joining the Chester Smith Band and Television Debut
Greenwood joined the Chester Smith Band in 1969 and made his first television appearance.
1979: Discovery by Larry McFaden
Lee Greenwood was discovered in Reno, Nevada, by Larry McFaden, the bandleader of Mel Tillis.
1981: Signing with MCA Records
Greenwood signed with the Nashville division of MCA Records in 1981.
1981: Chart Success with "It Turns Me Inside Out" and "Ring on Her Finger, Time on Her Hands"
Greenwood's singles "It Turns Me Inside Out" and "Ring on Her Finger, Time on Her Hands" achieved chart success in 1981, marking a significant point in his career.
1983: Success of "I.O.U."
Lee Greenwood's single "I.O.U." achieved significant success in 1983, becoming a top-five hit on adult contemporary charts.
1984: Release of "God Bless the U.S.A."
Lee Greenwood released his patriotic song "God Bless the U.S.A." in the spring of 1984.
1988: "God Bless the U.S.A." at the Republican National Convention
Greenwood performed "God Bless the U.S.A." at the 1988 Republican National Convention, boosting the song's popularity during George H.W. Bush's presidential campaign.
1991: Renewed Popularity During the Gulf War
Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A." experienced a resurgence in popularity during the Gulf War in 1991.
1991: "God Bless the U.S.A." Popularity During Operation: Desert Storm
Greenwood's song "God Bless the U.S.A." gained renewed popularity after the launch of Operation: Desert Storm in 1991.
1995: Break from Touring and Theater Construction
Lee Greenwood took a break from touring in 1995 to focus on family and built a theater in Sevierville, Tennessee.
April 1996: Opening of the Lee Greenwood Theater
The Lee Greenwood Theater opened its doors in Sevierville, Tennessee, in April 1996, allowing Greenwood to perform regularly while staying close to his family.
September 11, 2001: "God Bless the U.S.A." Resurgence After 9/11
Greenwood's song "God Bless the U.S.A." gained immense popularity following the September 11, 2001, attacks, becoming his highest-charting pop hit.
2001: September 11 Attacks
The September 11 attacks on the World Trade Centre occurred in 2001.
September 2008: Nomination to National Council on the Arts
President George W. Bush nominated Lee Greenwood to the National Council on the Arts in September 2008.
October 2008: Senate Confirmation
The Senate confirmed Lee Greenwood's nomination to the National Council on the Arts in October 2008.
2014: Term Expiration
Lee Greenwood's term on the National Council on the Arts was set to expire in 2014.
2015: Obama's Nomination of Esperanza Spalding
President Barack Obama nominated Esperanza Spalding to succeed Lee Greenwood on the National Council on the Arts in 2015.
2016: "God Bless the U.S.A." as Trump's Campaign Song
Donald Trump adopted "God Bless the U.S.A." as one of his campaign songs during the 2016 presidential election, further amplifying the song's presence.
2016: "God Bless the U.S.A." at Trump Campaign Events
Donald Trump used Lee Greenwood's song "God Bless the U.S.A." as one of his campaign songs during the 2016 presidential election.
May 19, 2018: MMP Music Award and Hall of Fame Induction
Lee Greenwood received the MMP Music Award for his lifelong contributions to the music industry and was inducted into the MMP Hall of Fame on May 19, 2018.
2018: Continued Use of "God Bless the U.S.A." in Trump's Campaign
Donald Trump continued to use "God Bless the U.S.A." during the 2018 midterm elections.
2020: Continued Use of "God Bless the U.S.A." in Trump's Campaign
Donald Trump continued to use "God Bless the U.S.A." during his 2020 presidential campaign.
2020: "God Bless the U.S.A." Remains a Campaign Staple
Donald Trump's use of "God Bless the U.S.A." continued during the 2020 presidential election.
May 2021: Publication of the God Bless the U.S.A. Bible
Lee Greenwood published the God Bless the U.S.A. Bible in May 2021 to commemorate the 2001 attack on the World Trade Centre.
June 2021: Nomination of Esperanza Spalding
President Joe Biden nominated Kamilah Forbes to succeed Greenwood on the National Council on the Arts in June 2021.
September 2021: Greenwood Informed of Replacement
Lee Greenwood was informed via email that President Biden had nominated his replacement on the National Council on the Arts in September 2021.
February 17, 2022: Kamilah Forbes Confirmed as Greenwood's Successor
Kamilah Forbes was confirmed by the Senate as Lee Greenwood's successor on the National Council on the Arts on February 17, 2022.
2024: Controversy over the God Bless the U.S.A. Bible
The God Bless the U.S.A. Bible, published in 2021, sparked further controversy in 2024 when former president Donald Trump promoted a new edition.