By MICHAEL BOYLAN
Weekend Editor

Lee Greenwood possesses many similar characteristics of other successful artists.

His family was very serious about music, he learned an instrument at a very young age, and he has performed intensely for a number of years. It is a combination of talent and dedication to the art form that makes Greenwood and artists like him so successful.

Lee Greenwood, who will perform this weekend in Peachtree City, was born in Los Angeles. He moved between Anaheim and Sacramento during his formative years, with music as a constant companion in his travels. At the age of 9, Greenwood learned how to play the saxophone. In his adolescence, Greenwood formed his first band, “My Moonbeams,” a band that would play high school dances and small local shows.

At the age of 16, Greenwood joined Chester Smith's band, which introduced him to the idea of showmanship. He would learn a great deal later, under the tutelage of Del Reeves. Greenwood played saxophone for Reeves for a number of years as well.

In 1962, Greenwood formed his own band again, a pop music outfit called “Apollo.” The band moved to Las Vegas and by 1967 were known as “The Lee Greenwood Affair.” They recorded several albums for Paramount Records, but the label went under and the band moved back to Los Angeles. Greenwood was offered an opportunity to join the hit band, “The Rascals.” Greenwood declined and moved back to the glittering lights of Las Vegas.

By 1973, Greenwood was the arranger, lead singer and bassist for The Bare Touch of Vegas revue. To supplement his income, he also dealt blackjack by day at the Tropicana Casino. The smoke-filled nightclubs gave Greenwood plenty of opportunities to perform and continue his development as a musician, but his voice became gravelly and hoarse. It was in the late 1970s that Larry McFadden, Mel Tillis' manager, heard his voice and saw a future in country music as a balladeer.

Greenwood flew off to Nashville and recorded some demos in 1980. By 1981, his country music career began to take off. His first hit was “It Turns Me Inside Out.” It reached the country music top 20. In 1982, “Ring On Her Finger And Time On Her Hands” broke into the country music top 10. Greenwood was starting to prove himself as a force in the country music scene.

Over the next six years, Greenwood recorded 19 top 10 singles, including seven number one hits. Some of his hits were the songs: “Somebody's Going to Love You,” “Going, Going Gone,” “Dixie Road” and “Mornin' Ride.” His voice also secured a number of high-profile hit duets.

His most famous duet was a recording with Barbara Mandrell called “To Me.” The song rocketed to number three of the country music top 10. Greenwood also won the Grammy award for best country vocal performance.

Greenwood started nearing the peak of his career in 1984 when he recorded the song that defines his career, “God Bless the U.S.A.” The patriotic song reached number seven in 1984 and became the backdrop to a number of Republican political campaigns during both the Reagan and Bush administrations.

In 1990, Greenwood switched labels, but his audience was already beginning to fade. Country music went through an enormous change in the `90s and while people like Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks and Clint Black became stars, Greenwood began to slow down a bit. He continued his patriotic work, performing at a number of USO events and doing work during the Gulf War.

Greenwood received both the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's Patriot Award and the Point of Light Foundation Award.

Greenwood now spends his time touring and recording at a less intensive pace. The two-time Country Music Association Male Vocalist of the Year will be performing Friday and Saturday at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater at 8 p.m. Tickets are $21. For information, call 770-631-3230.

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