Grammy award winner Lee Greenwood will be performing his famous patriotic hit, “God Bless The U.S.A.,” at the Sandia Casino Amphitheatre on the Fourth of July.

Greenwood will be performing many of his other Top 10 hits, including “Going, Going, Gone,” “Dixie Road,” “I.O.U.” and “Ring on Her Finger, Time On Her Hand.”

Greenwood, who just signed a new deal the Curb Records, will be releasing his new material later this summer. He has also released a collection entitled “Inspirational Songs Featuring God Bless the U.S.A.”

Since the tragedies of September 11, Greenwood has seen his signature hit, “God Bless the U.S.A.,” take on yet another life. Since the attack on America, airplay has increased exponentially, 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 January 2002.

The multi-platinum entertainer returned to the road last year. after a five-year run at his own theater in Sevierville, Tenn. He toured extensively to packed houses across the country, found himself back at the top of the sales charts and back on the radio.

Greenwood’s career stands as a shining example of an American success story. From his humble beginnings on a farm near Sacramento, Calif., Greenwood has taken his natural talent and achieved world-wide recognition in the entertainment business with a career spanning three decades.

Greenwood began honing his musical abilities on the saxophone, as well as a number of other instruments, at the tender age of 10. Both of his parents were musicians, and he followed in their footsteps from an early age. He was quick to acquire the musical and business skills that would prove necessary for his life as an entertainer.

He formed his first band, the Moonbeams, while still in junior high school. By the time he had graduated high school, Greenwood was already a seasoned performer.

His career became the focal point in his life, so much so that he turned down a music scholarship to the College of the Pacific, abandoned a promising professional baseball career and even skipped his own high school graduation because he was booked to perform a standing engagement at the Golden Hotel and Casino in Reno, Nev.

In 1978, Greenwood found the courage to leave the security of Vegas lounges and welcomed the opportunity to fly to Nashville to write and record a demo session with the help of the Mel Tillis Band. The results of his long-shot opportunity led to his contract with MCA. With that label, Greenwood recorded songs including “It Turns Me Inside Out,” “Ring on Her Finger, Time on Her Hand” and “Ain’t No Trick.”

Greenwood found acceptance with county 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 albums, we won the coveted County 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, the following year. Continuing his streak, Greenwood won the 1984 CMA Male Vocalist of the Year award. His first three albums achieved gold status, and his Greatest Hits 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 the words and music to “God Bless the U.S.A.”

After the Gulf War in 1991, Greenwood was one of the most in-demand performers. Because of his support for the military and veterans during that time, Greenwood would often play two and sometimes three shows per day, traveling to and fro in private jets.

The staying power of this dynamic performer throughout 15 successful touring years remains evident in every Lee Greenwood show. In 1985, Greenwood decided to take a break from his rigorous tour schedule to start a family with his wife, Kim. In order to spend more time at home, Greenwood elected to build and perform in his own theater in the Smoky Mountains.

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The Valencia County News-Bulletin is a locally owned and operated community newspaper, dedicated to serving Valencia County since 1910 through the highest journalistic and professional business standards. The VCNB is published weekly on Thursdays, including holidays both in print and online.