Greenwood received plaque at Grand Ole Opry
Lee Greenwood has been honored with a plaque commemorating sales of 25 million albums worldwide. Vice President and Executive Producer of the Grand Ole Opry Dan Rogers, along with Ryman Hospitality Properties CEO Colin Reed and country crooner Dustin Lynch, recently surprised Greenwood backstage for his 80th birthday.
“That’s unbelievable!” the “God Bless The USA” writer and hitmaker says. “I knew playing the Grand Ole Opry was going to be a birthday week highlight, but then to discover my recordings have surpassed 25 million sales worldwide — well, that has to be one of the greatest birthday gifts of all time; and yet, I wasn’t at the Opry to receive gifts, I was there to entertain and give gifts.”
In what can only be described as a night filled with emotion, Greenwood, an American patriot and national ambassador for the wounded warrior support organization Helping A Hero, partnered with Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, and gave away specially-adapted homes to six wounded veterans and their families from the heart of the Grand Ole Opry stage.
“Our military families put their lives on the line for this country. These new homes are designed to make what can be impossible, everyday tasks, possible again for our wounded. Building these homes for our heroes is a labor of love,” Greenwood adds.
The heart-tugging event was in conjunction with longtime Grand Ole Opry sponsor Bass Pro Shops’ milestone 50th anniversary as a leader in outdoor recreation merchandise and champion of Helping A Hero.
On Saturday, November 19th Circle Network is set to air the Johnny Morris and Bass Pro Shops 50th Anniversary with performances by John Anderson, Dierks Bentley, Charles Esten, Lee Greenwood, Chris Janson, Gary LeVox, Dustin Lynch, Clay Self, and Rhonda Vincent. The special will also be available as a live stream on Circle and Lee Greenwood’s Facebook and YouTube accounts.
Meanwhile Greenwood, in honor of his 80th birthday, is preparing for an 80 show tour in 2023 titled American Spirit Tour…Once and For All.
“I look forward to seeing all of my friends and fans on the road next year, and I want to thank them for their support and love all through the years,” Greenwood says of the trek. “I believe God really has blessed the USA, and I know he has certainly blessed me.”
Greenwood, an artist with 30 USO Tours to his credit, continues to align himself with corporations that celebrate and honor his creed of faith, family, and service to country including Patriarch Distillery/Soldier Valley Spirits that created a Lee Greenwood signature bourbon, Black Cat Fireworks who manufacture the “Proud To Be An American” Lee Greenwood signature firework and the God Bless American Bible that features a handwritten chorus of “God Bless The USA” along with copies of the Constitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence and Pledge of Allegiance.
