07/03/2026
As we reflect on America’s musical heritage and the international and cultural influences that shaped it, country music stands out as one of our truly homegrown art forms. Its roots reach back to the colonial era, when settlers from Ireland, Scotland, and the broader Celtic world brought with them their reels, jigs, ballads, and rich storytelling traditions. They carried instruments like the fiddle, dulcimer, and mandolin into the Appalachian Mountains, where a distinctly American musical voice began to emerge. From this blend of old world melodies and frontier life, country music was born.
Back in the day, an old school country artist would show up at the stage door with nothing more than a guitar case and a suit bag full of sequined glory. After playing his heart out for a packed house of 75 people, the theater owner would hand him a wad of cash, and before the applause died down, he’d be back in his car, headlights disappearing down a dark road on his way to the next gig.
These days, it’s all high tech and pyro tech — twelve tractor trailers rolling in like a small army, a hundred roadies swarming the place, setting up and tearing down with military precision. Thirty thousand screaming fans, lights blinding enough to be seen from space, and over-priced merch flying out of the kiosks. It’s a spectacle, no doubt about it. Having seen both worlds - I do appreciate the “convenience” of today, but I sure miss the h*ll out of the old days - back when music said something…stood for something.
Melvin Greenwood was born in South Gate, California in 1942…and as it turns out, would become a country singer-songwriter of Grammy-winning magnitude. This month’s song was originally released in 1984 – and holds a remarkable distinction: it’s the only song, in any genre, to reach the Top 5 in 3 different decades! In 2024, it even topped the Billboard Rock Chart!! You might not recognize his given name. He took his middle name for the stage and became known to the world as Lee Greenwood — and this is his beautiful American anthem, “God Bless the USA.”
“If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife
I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away
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.
From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee
Across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea
From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA
There's pride in every American heart
And it's time we stand and say:
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.”
PLEASE be respectful of each other, even if you're not from this gr...
