Lee Greenwood to perform at the Villages Amphitheater

Thu, 06/28/2007 - 3:12pm
By: The Citizen

Lee Greenwood to perform at the Villages Amphitheater

The Sun City Peachtree Del Webb 2007 Summer Concert Series will continue this weekend with internationally acclaimed artist Lee Greenwood at the Fayetteville Villages Amphitheater on Saturday, June 30.

Greenwood is virtually synonymous with musical patriotism; his song “God Bless the USA” was voted online by Americans as the most recognizable patriotic song in the nation.

Reserved and lawn seat tickets may be purchased online at www.villagesamphitheater.com or by calling Fayetteville Main Street at 770-719-4173. Advanced tickets for Lee Greenwood are $35 for reserved and $30 for lawn. Cash, check, Visa, Mastercard and American Express are acceptable forms of payment.

Like many great careers, Greenwood’s had humble beginnings on a farm near Sacramento, Calif. He began honing his musical abilities in junior high school, learning to play most of the instruments in the orchestra by age 14. Both of his parents were musicians, and Greenwood followed in their footsteps from an early age.

In 1978, he flew to Nashville to write and record a demo session with the help of the Mel Tillis Band. The results of this long-shot opportunity led to his contract with MCA and his producer Jerry Crutchfield, then head of MCA Publishing. Greenwood found immediate acceptance with country music audiences who appreciated his powerful vocals and energetic show. His feel for country music, coupled with his electrifying performances, quickly established him as a major artist.

Only two years after the release of his debut album, he won the coveted Country Music Association's Male Vocalist of the Year award. He won the same award again, as well as a Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance and the 1984 ACM Male Vocalist of the Year award. His first three albums achieved gold status, and his Greatest Hits album quickly went platinum. In 1985, a less publicized facet of his talent was recognized when the CMA awarded him Song of the Year honors for penning both the words and music to “God Bless The USA.”

Since the tragedies of September 11, Greenwood has seen his signature hit "God Bless The USA" take on yet another incarnation. Since the attack on America, airplay has increased ten fold, skyrocketing the song back into the top 20 of the Billboard country airplay chart, and sending Greenwood's 1992 album "American Patriot" to the top of the sales charts. The album was certified gold in October 2001 and platinum in December 2001. In January of 2002, Lee signed a long-term recording contract with Curb Records.

Hit singles throughout his career include “It Turns Me Inside and Out,” “Time on Her Hand,” and “God Bless the USA.”

Lee Greenwood is the second of six concerts that will be showcased this summer at the Villages. In addition, several free family events will be offered including a Family Fun Film Night featuring “Charlotte’s Web” on Friday, July 27 and God & Country Night on Sept. 9.

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