History of Lee Greenwood in Timeline

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.

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.