Proud To Be An American! Music Legend Lee Greenwood at The Donoho Hotel
Pictured, l-r: Michael Duffer, Chris Davenport, Michael Bransford, Lee Greenwood, Todd Wagoner, and Justin Smith. (Photo by K. Belle)
By Debbie Gregory
If you ask someone if they know who Lee Greenwood is, they will probably answer, “he’s that guy that sings God Bless The U.S.A.” And no matter where he sings his patriotic song, on television, at concerts, or a small town in rural Middle Tennessee, it always has the same effect – reminding us all how lucky we are to live in the United States of America.
On Thursday, November 14, country music great Mr. Lee Greenwood, spent the day at The Donoho Hotel, in Red Boiling Springs, where the American flag was raised in his honor by the Lafayette and RBS fire departments. After he arrived, he held a meet and greet in the hotel lobby, where he signed over 500 autographs, posed for pictures and also personalized the God Bless the USA Bibles – promoted by Lee and President-elect Donald Trump, which were on sale at the hotel.
“Lee has been praised by people all over the United States for being such an American patriot, who provides outstanding support for our veterans” said hotel owner, Mr. John Cook. “Of course, Lee is widely known for his song, ‘God Bless The U.S.A.’, which he sang at Trump’s rallies and the Republican National Convention.”
“Also on hand to visit with Lee were Lafayette Fire Chief Todd Wagoner, Red Boiling Springs Fire Chief Randall Bray, Red Boiling Springs Chief of Police Jeff Maynard, Macon County Sheriff Joey Wilburn, along with Red Boiling Springs council member Michael Rich,” said Cook.
“At 6 p.m. Lee spoke to over 200 people that were having supper in the hotel’s entertainment center, about his life and supporting Donald Trump,” continued Cook. “He also sang ‘God Bless the U.S.A’.”
Before Lee left, he presented Macon Countian Chris Crowder with a God Bless the USA Bible that was signed by Trump.
“Today has been blessed with Lee Greenwood spending the day at The Donoho Hotel,” said Cook. “And now, President-elect Trump has directly heard of Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee, in Macon County, where The Donoho Hotel is located!”
Lee Greenwood is a country music singer and songwriter whose career spans over six decades. He has 33 charted singles, with seven of them reaching number one on country music charts. Greenwood has won a Grammy along with numerous country music awards. The CMA named “God Bless the U.S.A.” as its Song of the Year in 1985, and it has been in the top five on the country singles charts three times, in 1991, 2001 and 2003, giving it the distinction of being the only song in any genre of music to achieve that feat. CBS News voted “God Bless the U.S.A.” as the most recognizable patriotic song in America.
It was an honor to hear Lee Greenwood sing his signature song last Thursday night. He makes memories for people no matter where he is. And for me, I will always remember the night I heard Lee Greenwood sing “God Bless The U.S.A.” with no accompaniment, just his voice, on stage, captivating the audience at The Donoho Hotel, in Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee.
Thank you Lee, you are an inspiration to all of us.
“God Bless the U.S.A.” Chorus:
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
