Last summer, we called Lee Greenwood "The Soundtrack to Independence Day" and for good reason. The 72-year-old country star wrote and released "God Bless the USA" in 1984 and it's survived more than three decades to become an American staple. On New Year's Day, Greenwood will perform his hit at the NHL Winter Classic in Washington, D.C.
"Performing 'God Bless the USA' is always special and meaningful in different ways depending on what the event is," he said (via The Boot). "Getting to perform it at the NHL Winter Classic for the first time is a thrill for me, and I can't wait to get on the ice."
The tune was a Top 10 hit in the mid-'80s and is by far the most well-known song in his deep repertoire.
"It keeps having a different kind of life," he said. "I mean, during the Gulf War, it was a song of the war for General Schwarzkopf. After Hurricane Katrina, it was a song for life and hope, and then after 9/11, it was a song of unity and rebuilding. It just makes me really proud that I've done something for the country and for my family. It's my family's heritage."
Greenwood seems like a solid choice by the National Hockey League to perform during the Blackhawks and Capitals game.
But in a strange twist, the Washington Post notes that there is a large contingency of fans that were upset by the announcement that Greenwood would sing.
Apparently, his "cool" factor is lacking.
Oh no Lee Greenwood at the Winter Classic? Are they TRYING to make me hate it?
— RM Cooper (@RFCapsMoustache) December 29, 2014
Hold up, Lee Greenwood was the best the NHL could do for the Winter Classic? Why are they still terrible at this stuff? — Brandon Gee (@brndngee) December 30, 2014
Why @NHL are you going to torture fans with Lee Greenwood at the Winter Classic? It's so trite. And awful. https://t.co/5cWpZ8khFY — Meredith Hindley (@CapitolClio) December 29, 2014
Poor Lee. Here's a preview of what you can expect on Jan. 1:
