Lee Lee Greenwood (born October 27, 1942 in South Gate, California) is an American country pop singer and songwriter. He is best known for a string of Countrypolitan hits throughout the 1980s, as well as for his hit "God Bless the USA". Contents [hide] 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Theater 4 Discography 4.1 Albums 4.2 Singles 5 References 6 External links [edit] Early life After the separation of his parents, Lee grew up in Sacramento on the poultry farm of his grandparents. At the age of seven, he began playing the saxophone, and at the age of nine became a member of a dance ensemble. In 1969, he joined the Chester Smith Band and had his first television appearance. A short time later, he worked with the country musician Del Reeves. He founded his first band, Apollo, in 1962. He briefly battled a cocaine addiction and moved to Iceland to go to rehab. The band, which changed its name later to Lee Greenwood Affair, played mostly pop music and appeared mostly in casinos in Las Vegas. A few records were recorded in Los Angeles with the Paramount label. After the band broke up in the 1970s, Greenwood moved back to Las Vegas, where he worked as a black jack dealer during the day, and as a singer at night. [edit] Career In 1979, he was discovered in Reno, Nevada by Larry McFaden, the bandleader and bassist of Mel Tillis. After making some demo tapes, Greenwood was signed in 1981 by the Nashville-based MCA label, and McFaden became his manager. The first single, "It Turns Me Inside Out", made it to a spot in the top 20 of the country charts. Greenwood had written this song for Kenny Rogers, but Rogers turned it down due to the sheer volume of songs he had been offered at the time. "Ring On Her Finger and Time on her Hands" landed him in the country top 10. He is best known for writing and recording the patriotic song "God Bless the USA" in the early 1980s. "God Bless the USA" gained renewed popularity following the launch of Operation: Desert Storm in 1991, and again, ten years later, following the September 11, 2001 attacks; in fact, the song even re-entered the Top 20 of the country charts in late 2001. Since then, Greenwood has played at many public events and commemorations of the attacks. He supports the United States Republican Party. [edit] Theater In 1995, Greenwood took a break from his touring schedule to spend time with his wife and newborn son. In his time off, he elected to build a theater in Sevierville, Tennessee, and in April 1996, the "Lee Greenwood Theater" opened its doors. This gave Greenwood the opportunity to still perform daily shows, in addition to being with his family. The theater operated for five seasons, and closed for Greenwood to continue touring. The theater was not located in the heavily entertainment and tourist oriented areas of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and Gatlinburg, Tennessee which contributed to the theater closing. The former theater building is now host to a church. [edit] Discography [edit] Albums Year Album Chart Positions RIAA US Country US 200 1982 Inside Out 63 Gold 1983 Somebody's Gonna Love You 3 73 Gold 1984 Made for Each Other (w/ Barbara Mandrell) 5 89 You've Got a Good Love Comin' 6 195 Gold 1985 Greatest Hits 4 163 Platinum Streamline 1 Christmas to Christmas 29 1986 Love Will Find Its Way to You 10 1987 If There's Any Justice 38 1988 This Is My Country 25 Greatest Hits, Volume 2 27 1989 If Only for One Night 66 1990 Holdin' a Good Hand 69 1991 A Perfect 10 38 When You're in Love 1992 American Patriot 68 Platinum Love's on the Way 1993 The Best of Lee Greenwood 1995 Totally Devoted to You 1996 God Bless the USA: The Best of Lee Greenwood 1998 Wounded Heart 2000 Same River Different Bridge Good Old Country 66 2001 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 35 2002 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection Inspirational Songs 2003 Stronger Than Time [edit] Singles Year Single Chart Positions Album US Country US Hot 100 US AC 1981 "It Turns Me Inside Out" 17 Inside Out 1982 "Ring on Her Finger, Time on Her Hands" 5 "She's Lying" 7 "Ain't No Trick (It Takes Magic)" 7 1983 "I.O.U." 6 53 4 Somebody's Gonna Love You "Somebody's Gonna Love You" 1 96 "Going, Going, Gone" 1 1984 "God Bless the USA" 7 26 You've Got a Good Love Comin' "To Me" (w/ Barbara Mandrell) 3 Meant for Each Other "Fool's Gold" 3 You've Got a Good Love Comin' "You've Got a Good Love Comin'" 9 1985 "It Should Have Been Love by Now" (w/ Barbara Mandrell) 19 Meant for Each Other "Dixie Road" 1 Greatest Hits "I Don't Mind the Thorns (If You're the Rose)" 1 Streamline 1986 "Don't Underestimate My Love for You" 1 "Hearts Aren't Made to Break (They're Made to Love)" 1 "Didn't We" 10 Love Will Find Its Way to You "Mornin' Ride" 1 1987 "Someone" 5 If There's Any Justice "If There's Any Justice" 9 "Touch and Go Crazy" 5 1988 "I Still Believe" 12 This Is My Country "You Can't Fall in Love When You're Cryin'" 20 1989 "I'll Be Lovin' You" 16 "I Love the Way He Left You" 43 If Only for One Night "I Go Crazy" 55 1990 "Holdin' a Good Hand" 2 Holdin' a Good Hand "We've Got It Made" 14 1991 "Just Like Me" 52 "Hopelessly Yours" (w/ Suzy Bogguss) 12 A Perfect 10 "Between a Rock and a Heartache" 46 When You're in Love 1992 "If You'll Let This Fool Back In" 58 "Before I'm Ever Over You" 73 Love's on the Way 2001 "God Bless the USA" (re-release) 16 16 12 God Bless the USA: The Best of Lee Greenwood 2002 "Rocks That You Can't Move" Stronger Than Time 2003 "God Bless the USA 2003" "When a Woman's in Love"