Ah, yes. There he rumbles on his Oliver tractor at sunup. Or maybe sunset: he’s losing the farm, after all, even though the song dates back to 1984, when a similarly produced ad told us it was morning again in America.
He curves around. He parks. He leans over the steering wheel, his despondent head eclipsing the sun but for a corona–of hope. And off he goes with “God Bless the USA,” the song that–though it never topped any chart, as seven of his other songs and one of his albums did, and though it was intended as a last-song afterthought on his third album–made Lee Greenwood famous.
It became the Republican Party’s unofficial national anthem and the country’s most orthodox patriotic tune since the cymbals and brimstone of John Philip Sousa. It became an oath of allegiance for legions and Greenwood’s visa to presidential elbow-rubbing: he’s performed the song for presidents–not just Republicans–since appearing with fellow-performer Ronald Reagan in 1984, though never with as much infatuation as when he performed for Donald Trump, as he did at his first inaugural concert and hasn’t stopped since.
Love it or hate it–people do both in numbers seemingly as polarized as the country’s politics–it’s the inescapable sound of an ideological triumph yet to peak: Jan. 20 is still ahead.
By nearly-coincidental occasion, Lee Greenwood, who is the same age as Joe Biden–82–will bring his trademark patriotism, his star-spangled-shirt, his veteran recognitions (he’d started working for the USO tours when he was a teenager, though his lottery number allowed him to avoid service in Vietnam), his “God Bless the USA,” his many hit songs and many that weren’t to the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center in Palm Coast the evening of Jan. 23 for a 7 p.m. concert, just six days after Crystal Gayle, that goddess of country, descends with her river of hair on the Fitzgerald stage.
Greenwood will be on his American Spirit Tour, which he’d have kicked off only the night before at Immokalee’s Seminole Casino. It will take him to 17 other venues through November–not quite “From Detroit down to Houston And New York to L.A.,” as his famous song goes: he no longer commands that sort of audience even if his one anthem does. Rather, he’ll be performing in towns with names like Weirsdale, Florida, Waleska, Georgia, Dunbar, Pennsylvania, and another casino in Hinton, Oklahoma, with a date at Little Rock, Ark.’s Rock The Country Festival likely promising his largest audience.
In Palm Coast, a release issued by the Performing Arts Center states, fans can look forward to hearing Greenwood’s chart-topping hits, including “Ring on Her Finger, Time on Her Hands,” “I.O.U.,” and “Dixie Road,” as well as a heartfelt celebration of American pride and unity. “This concert is an extraordinary opportunity to experience the passion, energy, and artistry of one of country music’s most cherished performers,” the release states.
“We are thrilled to host Lee Greenwood and the American Spirit Tour at the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center,” said Amelia Fulmer, the Performing Arts Center’s director. “This is a rare chance for our community to enjoy an evening of incredible music and a celebration of the values that unite us all.”
It’s not entirely clear what prompted the writing of “God Bless the USA.” In the 1993 book he wrote about the song, on which he’s been capitalizing in continuously creative ways, he wrote that the downing of Korean Air Lines Flight 007 by a Soviet missile in September 1983 “was a catalyst, the event that triggered something inside me.” But he’s also attributed the song’s inspiration to his father, who was a World War II veteran, and to veterans in general, as he told NPR six years ago.
He plays a farmer in the song: he grew up on a farm in California but came of age musically playing minor venues in Nevada for 20 years, where he crossed paths with Elvis several times–as a listener only. He especially loved Elvis’s once-iconic, now in parts unsettling, “American Trilogy” (“Oh, I wish I was in the land of cotton/Old things they are not forgotten/Look away, look away, look away Dixieland).
“If I ever get to Nashville,” Greenwood told the Nashville Tennessean in a 2021 interview, recalling those days, “and I think that’s probably where I will end up because L.A. chewed me up and spit me out, I’ll write a song kind of like the trilogy.” So he did, still very much singing Dixie around a farm table.
The end of the famous video is enigmatic though: gone is the tractor. After what looks like a hearty lunch with his large family, with singing, reminiscing and promises to “gladly stand up next to you,” he drives off with his belongings, waving goodbye to his family as “Public Auction” signs signal the end of their farm. Clearly, Greenwood made the right choice for himself.
Tickets for the performance are on sale now online. Prices are from $64 to $74 (no processing fees). For more information, visit the Fitzgerald’s website or call 386-437-7547.
Dennis C Rathsam says
Congradulations FlaglerLive… There’s hope for you yet. One of the greatest patriots of all time, a staunch TRUMP supporter, here on Flagler Live.The 1st time I heard TRUMPS anthem, many years ago I got the goose bumps, a tear was wiped away. What a great song, what a great American! We have a special country here, let’s get togeather, bury the hatchet fight for our country. Make America great again!D
Ed Danko, former Vice-Mayor, PC says
“And I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free, and I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me,
and I’d gladly stand up next to you, and defend Her still today, ’cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land, God Bless the U.S.A.”(and God Bless President Trump and we will Make America Great Again!)
Bill Hanagan says
Loved your performance in the mayoral race Ed
YankeeExPat says
Did Joe Mullins give you a script?
Not sarcasm says
I hope he also preforms his hit God Bless you Canada.
Tony says
Just go on you tube and type in – trump mocks National Anthem – and you will see for yourself the creature you elected.
Billy says
Former – Thank God !!!!
JC says
Still glad that you didn’t get elected.
celia pugliese says
Hope you are right and lets see!
Laurel says
Well Ed and Dennis, here’s the problem with your patriot of all times, he also sang, and recorded “…and I’m proud to be a Canadian, where at least I know I’ll be free…” Whatever sells. Look it up and enjoy the concert.
Ed Danko, firmer Vice-Mayor, PC says
The good news is that soon Canada will be our 51st state!
joe says
” and I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me,..”
How sick it is that you and the cultists who sing this song at all the rallies support the creep who calls those “men who died” suckers and losers… but, no you’re not in a cult
JustBe Nice says
Lee Greenwood sand that song during President Reagan’s elections and presidency. I will never forget how proud I was at 18 yo at the time and my first election in 1980!
Dennis C Rathsam says
Never in my life have I seen such a negative fool! How do you live with yourself? Who cares if he sings to Canada, he,s a entertainer. Here Im talking about our WONDERFULL country, every state is so unique, & we all come togeather as the UNITED STATES….Its sad Laurel, the future is so bright, & your so negative, the hate you have for TRUMP is killing you. Why not see what happens before you bitch about his policies? They cant be any worse than what we just lived through for the last 4 years. Not enough Americans agreed with you. We all wanted change. We all want to save our country. Are you gonna be another Hillary Clinton, & keep complaining into the next century? The Obama erra is over, get a grip…. shit happens! When TRUMP cuts your taxes again, will you still complain? I’m just asking you to look to the good in people, not always the bad. Give it a shot, It will make you a better person.God Bless
JC says
Too bad your ego prevented you from saying your title right. “firmer”
JC says
Sounds like you are still going to complain something no matter what. Please get off the keyboard and go outside, makes you look terrible in your old age.
The dude says
The jingoism is strong with these folks.
The dude says
That’s a guarantee.
Two things we can always count on with this one:
1. Incessant complaining about pretty much everything.
2. He’ll slaughter the English language doing it.
It’s pretty much peak MAGA there.
Gary says
We all saw what happened the last time and it was a disaster beginning with covid. Do you remember the bleach injections and the tariffs that cost us thousands ?
Laurel says
Ed Danko, etc., etc.: Are you really that far from reality that Canada will become a part of the U.S.? You Trumplicans really believe that shit? Y’all really want to invade countries? Start wars? Send our young to battle countries, which until Jan 20th, are our friends and allies? What, then, makes you any different from China or Russia?
You actually sat in PC government? Wow!
Amazing how the brain can shut off from the world around it. We’re talking some serious psychotherapy is required here, and should be required before anyone else takes office in this county, and these days, this state.
Laurel says
Dennis: You are a good, kind and caring man. Your emotions run high, which cloud your view of others. No, I’ve said before, I do not hate Trump, and believe me, it’s not killing me. I do see him as an authoritarian who selfishly is manipulating people because of their desire for change. Many scholars, lawyers, economists and professionals have stated that he is a direct threat to our country.
The desire for change in our country is strong, and warranted. Trump knows this, and is using it for his own, personal use. It is an abuse. When he cuts taxes on tips and Social Security, it will undermine Social Security and Medicare, which I imagine, you are collecting. This is a goal for some. When he cuts taxes for the wealthy, it will directly effect the deficit. There are better ways to make our lives affordable.
Dennis, you need to step back, and take a wider view of what is happening. Just signing a song may raise emotions higher, but does little else for our economic situation or safety. If you could just clear your mind, get off TV, and meditate on what we, as a country, are really about, you may be able to see further.
Laurel says
“singing”
Not Sarcasm says
You wanna bet on that? I don’t think the King of England is willing to give up the largest commonwealth in his monarch. I can’t say I wouldn’t welcome Canada being the 51st state, with a population larger than RED Texas and the increase the of liberal voters in the US. Maybe we would finally be able to do something with our broken healthcare system and slow or stop the growing rate of mass violence in America.
Jim says
Clearly, if you were at the edge of a cliff and Donald Trump jumped off, you’d be the first one to follow….
Canada is a sovereign country (look it up) and has been a strong ally of the USA for years. And your orange God thinks it’s a great idea to insult Canada before he even takes office. Oh, and since you say “soon” Canada will be our 51st state, you further expose your absolute ignorance. I’d say Canada becoming the 51st state EVER has the probability of a little above zero and has equal chance of happening “soon” as Donnie’s promise to “end the Ukraine-Russia war on day one”. But MAGA land is Fantasyland and you seem to love to dwell there.
I’m not surprised at both Trump and you.
I’m sure we’ve all got four years of Trump spouting lies and garbage and then you echoing it in your submittals.
How you ever got elected in the first place is a mystery to everyone I’ve ever spoken to about it. Fortunately, you’re gone and I can’t see how you’ll ever fool the people again so that’s one consolation for all of us!
So, Eddie D – FIRMER – I suggest you work on your readin’ and writin’ skills before you venture out into offering your opinions to all of us.
Jim says
I wonder if your brain locks up when you accuse someone else of being negative and full of hate. Every one of your submittals has been nothing but hate filled attacks on the Biden administration. We all know you are singularly focused on MAGA/Trump and you can’t see fault in anything he says or does. I’d suggest you read “1984” and see if you find any common ground with the characters in that book.
Regarding Trump and his policies, we have seen what happens. You may not remember we had a pandemic on his watch where 1M US citizens died. I wouldn’t point that out except for the fact that he went on national TV daily and lied constantly about the extent of the danger and failed to take any actions to minimize the damage. (I’ll allow that his administration did develop the eventual vaccine but he vacillates between taking credit for it and disavowing it – which is a Trump trademark on almost everything).
You are right that more Americans voted for Trump than for Harris. I’ve noted that the transition has been peaceful this time which I wonder if you even comprehend the difference between MAGA “truth” and actual facts.
You have a great day! Say hello to Eddie Danko in Fantasyland, er, I mean MAGA land!
I look forward to the next “Trump Tax Cut” as you reference. I can’t wait to see how the Republicans cut the deficient and taxes at the same time. Most economists say that’s just impossible but, hey, what do they know? DJT has a plan and we’ll all get to see it soon – just like his plan to replace Obamacare. I hear he’s got “concepts of a plan” and it’s only been 8 years since Obama left office! Why at this rate, the Trump plans will be implemented well into the next millennium. Shoot, I’m just looking forward to him cutting the gas price in half and reducing grocery prices in the coming year as he promised. You do believe that’s going to happen, right?!
Laurel says
Jim: A major problem here is Fox Entertainment. It is dangerous with its lies, spins and outright propaganda. We know five people, closely, who don’t all know each other, or all communicate with each other, yet they throw out the exact same talking points, verbatim. They heard it on Fox, and parrot it out. They are actually afraid of those who do not follow suit, and make fear filled statements like “What are we going to do?”. They are the ones who bring up the subject of politics, but they don’t want to hear anything other than what they heard on Fox.
It’s really kind of pitiful, and a shame on the shows that perpetuate this propaganda for profit.
Jim says
Laurel, I hear you and agree. Unfortunately, I think the real problem is people who will not seek out any alternative source of information just to make sure they are getting the straight scoop! I regularly go to Fox News to see what they are saying and what slant they are putting on. I feel that’s necessary to see if they are making any valid points that I should take into account. As you say, and I agree, these people drink the Kool Aid without any questions asked. And that’s a good part of the reason why we’re in for the next four years of more lies, misdirection and hate. And this time, with his Cabinet picks, maybe some terrorist attacks “like no one has seen before”.
Thanks for offering your thoughts!