Lee Greenwood

Lee Greenwood was born in Los Angeles, in 1942. His father joined the Navy the day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. His parents divorced during World War II, and he would not meet his father until he was a teenager. His mother tried supporting two children on her own by playing piano in bars, at a time when women were not allowed in bars. Once she realized she could not raise Lee and his sister Patricia on her own, she sent the children to live on their grandparents’ sharecropper farm in Sacramento. On the farm, they lived in a trailer with add-on rooms, which also included an outhouse until he was 13.

Greenwood was responsible for the daily farm chores before and after school. On the weekends, he would gather flowers and vegetables from the garden and carry them on his bicycle to sell at the local Chinese market. This allowed him to buy clothes, shoes, and other necessities. Throughout his teenage years, he learned to self-provide. Whether it was driving a tractor, working the harvester, or feeding the chickens, he always made it a point to do what needed to be done. Despite these challenges, Greenwood showed remarkable resilience and at an early age he discovered a passion for music. He began playing the piano at age 7 and by the age of 14, he played nearly all the instruments in the school orchestra.

Throughout middle school and high school, Greenwood was very focused on his musical career and sports, which led him to earning a music and track scholarship to the College of the Pacific. His high school music teacher recognized his talent and made sure he taught him several years of music theory while in high school. These opportunities allowed him to serve as the drum major for the marching band and play in the orchestra. Soon after graduating from high school, Greenwood did not attend college. He moved to Nevada where he spent 20 years writing, performing, and singing in every hotel on the Las Vegas strip.

In 1979, a chance meeting brought Greenwood to Nashville, where he signed with MCA Music as a songwriter and with MCA Records as a recording artist. Greenwood’s career took off in the early 1980s with the release of chart-topping hits like “It Turns Me Inside Out” and “Ring on Her Finger, Time on Her Hands.” However, it was his iconic anthem “God Bless the USA,” released in 1984, that solidified his legacy. The song has become a timeless expression of national pride, earning him widespread recognition and accolades, including multiple Country Music Association (CMA) Awards and Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards. Over the decades, Greenwood has released over 20 studio albums and more than 35 singles, showcasing his versatility across country, gospel, and patriotic genres. He has won numerous industry awards, including ACM Male Vocalist of the Year in 1983, CMA Male Vocalist of the Year in 1983 and 1984, and a Grammy for Top Male Vocal Performance in 1985 for “I.O.U.” The CMA also named “God Bless the USA” its Song of the Year in 1985.

Beyond his musical achievements, Greenwood has devoted much of his life to giving back. A staunch supporter of the U.S. military and first responders, he has performed for troops worldwide and participated in numerous benefit concerts. Greenwood has served as a longtime ambassador for “Helping a Hero,” which provides adapted homes for wounded veterans, further exemplifying his commitment to those who serve. His charitable endeavors extend to children’s hospitals, disaster relief efforts, and education initiatives.

His commitment to the arts has earned him various prestigious appointments. Greenwood was appointed by President George W. Bush to the National Endowment of the Arts, where he served as a council member from 2014 to 2021. In 2017, he was appointed by President Donald J. Trump as a Kennedy Center trustee.

“It is a true honor to receive the Horatio Alger Award and join an organization whose important work aligns so closely with my personal mission of championing the American Dream,” Greenwood says. “Performing at many Association events and witnessing the organization’s impact firsthand over the years has been incredibly rewarding. To be inducted as a lifetime Member is humbling, and I’m looking forward to playing a greater role in helping students achieve their dreams and build brighter futures.”

“Lee embodies the very essence of the American Dream – hard work, dedication and a deep love of country,” David L. Sokol, chairman and CEO of Teton Capital, LLC, Horatio Alger Association Chairman Emeritus and 2004 Horatio Alger Award recipient says. “His music has inspired millions, and his personal story of resilience will resonate deeply with our Scholars. We are honored to welcome him as an Association Member and look forward to the impact he will have on our organization.”