Lee Greenwood Biography

Lee Greenwood was born Melvin Lee Greenwood in 1942 in Los Angeles, California and grew up in Sacramento. The young Lee began singing in the church choir when he was still in elementary school, and he founded his first band in 1962. The group disbanded in 1970, and Greenwood began performing around the Las Vegas area, working a day job as a blackjack dealer. Almost a decade later, his performances eventually caught the attention of MCA Records, and Lee released his debut single, “It Turns Me Inside Out.”

Greenwood’s debut rose to the top of the country charts, and the follow-up, “Ring On Her Finger, Time on Her Hands,” rose even higher. Within a few years, Greenwood released his debut album, Inside Out, and it also performed well. Since that time, Lee Greenwood has given audiences a series of successful albums, including: You’ve Got a Good Love Comin’ (1984), Streamline (1985), If There’s Any Justice (1987), This is My Country (1988), If Only for One Night (1989), Holdin’ a Good Hand (1990), When You’re in Love (1991), American Patriot (1992), Totally Devoted to You (1995), Wounded Heart (1998), Same River Different Bridge (2000), Good Old Country (2000), and Stronger than Time (2003.) The albums spawned a number of hit singles for Greenwood, including: “She’s Lying,” “Somebody’s Gonna Love You,” “Going, Going, Gone,” “Fool’s Gold,” “Dixie Road,” “I Don’t Mind the Thorn (If You’re the Rose),” “Don’t Underestimate My Love For You,” “ Hearts Aren’t Made to Break (They’re Made to Love),” “Mornin’ Ride,” “Someone,” “Touch and Go Crazy,” “Holdin’ a Good Hand,” and his iconic, signature song, “God Bless the USA.”

Although Lee Greenwood charted more than thirty-five singles with seven number one hits, it’s the song “God Bless the USA” for which he is most known. The song fared well upon its release in the early 1980’s, but experienced a boost after Operation Desert Storm and then again a huge resurgence in popularity after the attacks of 9/11. “God Bless the USA” has been featured in innumerous public events and commemorations, and also appears in the docudrama America: A Call to Greatness.