Renowned country music icon Lee Greenwood, celebrated for his hit “God Bless the U.S.A.,” has announced his plans to retire after an illustrious career spanning over four decades. Greenwood, who recently celebrated his 81st birthday, confirmed the news of his retirement at the conclusion of his 2024 tour in a podcast interview with Brilyn Hollyhand, a 17-year-old co-chair of the Republican National Committee’s youth advisory council and the editor-in-chief of The Truth Gazette.
In the interview, which took place before his November 9 concert in Montgomery, Alabama, Greenwood affirmed the rumors of his retirement. He mentioned that he and his team are still deliberating on the location of his final performance, stressing that his farewell tour won’t be a temporary step-back from music, unlike some other artists who have announced retirements only to return later.
Citing age, health reasons, including surgeries for titanium knees and a titanium cage in his back, and a desire to spend more time with his family, Greenwood elaborated on his reasons for retiring. He expressed the importance of dedicating more time to his wife, former Miss Tennessee USA Kimberly Payne, to whom he has been married for 31 years, and their two college-aged sons.
In his conversation with Hollyhand, Greenwood reflected on his career, expressing gratitude to his fans for their consistent support. He humorously noted how he has been performing the same repertoire of songs for four decades.
Greenwood’s career took off in the 1980s with hits like “It Turns Me Inside Out,” “Ring on Her Finger, Time on Her Hand,” “IOU,” and “She’s Lying.” His first number one hit was “Somebody’s Gonna Love You” in 1983. The following year, he released “God Bless the U.S.A.,” a patriotic anthem he wrote with the intention of fostering unity and pride among Americans.
“God Bless the U.S.A.” gained significant recognition, being featured at the Republican National Convention in 1984 in a film about former President Ronald Reagan. The song has since been associated with several political events, notably becoming a staple at former President Donald Trump’s campaign rallies and White House events.
Apart from his musical achievements, Greenwood has been active in public service. Appointed by President Trump in 2019 to the Kennedy Center board of trustees, he previously served on the National Council on the Arts after being appointed by former President George W. Bush in 2008. Greenwood’s tenure on the council ended in 2021 during President Biden’s administration, a change that Greenwood publicly expressed surprise about.
As Greenwood prepares to conclude his touring career, his contributions to country music and American culture remain deeply appreciated by fans and political figures alike.