Country singer Lee Greenwood, along with singing sergeants from the US Air Force and a group of cappella Home Free, released a new version of their song “God Bless the USA” this week.
“After singing ‘God Bless The USA’ for 30 years in the same way, it’s as if I have sat down and depended on listening. You know, what can I sing differently here? Greenwood said American composer In an interview.
Greenwood also said that the song’s release couldn’t be more timely for our nation.
“When we were talking about collaborating not only with Home Free but also with the singers of the United States Air Force, I thought, well, this is really positive for July 4th, since we’re not working,” Greenwood continued.
“God Bless the USA”, which Greenwood first released in 1984, came seventh in the list of “US Hot Country Songs” in 1984, but it quickly became a timeless song that was played at many events to celebrate America.
“I think the common thread in Nashville is that if Lee Greenwood doesn’t sing ‘God Bless the USA’ on July 4, lower the flag. So we really wanted to make sure we had virtual performance. It was a great opportunity for me, “Greenwood said.
For some vocalists like Austin Brown of Home Free, collaborating with Greenwood on such an iconic song was a dream come true.
“When we sing this song, everyone in the audience, no matter where we are in this country, everyone stands up. It is one of those songs that will be here forever. It’s going to be in American culture forever, “he said Brown. “And the chance to do this with a legend like Lee Greenwood, the original artist, the guy who wrote this song, it doesn’t get much better than this.”
According to Brown, Home Free has used “God Bless the USA” in many of its shows.
“This is a song that Home Free has been singing for literally its entire existence, for over 20 years.” said. “We closed the show for probably 15 years straight with this song. Now we save it for special occasions or if we do a show for veterans or that sort of thing. It’s almost like a secondary national anthem for this country. “
Greenwood expressed his gratitude and admiration for both groups in the collaboration, saying he could “hear the sharpness and treble.”
“I really admire the fact that we did this a cappella,” Greenwood said. “When you have great singers, who can stay in tune and deliver really artistic performances, uninterrupted by acoustic sounds, there’s a little bit of magic in that.”
Greenwood also shared his admiration for the U.S. Air Force singers.
“These Air Force singers are of professional quality. They are the best I’ve ever heard. ” additional.
Jordan Davidson is an intern at The Federalist and recently graduated from Baylor University, where he majored in political science and studied journalism.
