I usually don’t pass these on, but this touches close to home.

Seems singer Lee Greenwood is only in for it for the $$$$ and hides behind his song. In doing so:

Singer Lee Greenwood (song..Proud To Be An American) cancels concert to honor Veterans, Police Officers, Firefighters, and Service Organizations such as the Knights of Columbus, Disabled Veterans, Shiners, etc. and also took a disgraceful shot at the Knights of Columbus.

“After Payne refused the check, Young got on stage and told the crowd Greenwood's camp called the Knights of Columbus a fly- by-night organization, Webster said. The head of the Knights of Columbus called Greenwood's people Wednesday to patch up the matter, he said.”


Snopes Report

Rocky Mountain News Article

Rocky Mountain News Article

Singer Lee Greenwood

leegreenwood@leegreenwood.com Send him a msg!

....exactly what part of his song is he hiding behind?

are there words that say he'll sing for free?

If you read the articles, he was offered 2K twice thus bringing the amount to 20k, as he requested.

I sing karaoke about twice a month at various places in Northern Virginia and I'll sing any Lee Greenwood song for you for 20 bucks.

Now, I don't know if I'm a good singer or not, but I know that people are really happy when I'm finished!

A country singer who wraps himself in the American flag to sell records and concert tickets at prices no middle class American there supposed to be singing to can afford??? Huh..that's strange.

quote:

Originally posted by HarvickFan:
If you read the articles, he was offered 2K twice thus bringing the amount to 20k, as he requested.

...ummm i think you should read the article, the promoter knew he was in the wrong by not offering the 2k in cash or cashiers check, yet he thought he could get away with it......as far as the snopes account of a fan offering to pay cash......it's from a blog, not a news account.

I read the snope article it said he did 18 concerts for free..i have been too one of his shows in OCALA it was great !!

the airshow the military branch songs the opening acts lots of work i am sure he deserves every penny he makes..better than the george noshow jones concert i seen once..

Imho sc

quote:

Originally posted by djwehr:
A country singer who wraps himself in the American flag to sell records and concert tickets at prices no middle class American there supposed to be singing to can afford??? Huh..that's strange.

$20 is more than a middle class American can afford?

quote:

Originally posted by SacraficialMetal:

quote:

Originally posted by HarvickFan:
If you read the articles, he was offered 2K twice thus bringing the amount to 20k, as he requested.

...ummm i think you should read the article, the promoter knew he was in the wrong by not offering the 2k in cash or cashiers check, yet he thought he could get away with it......as far as the snopes account of a fan offering to pay cash......it's from a blog, not a news account.

It sounds like the promoter messed up, didn't follow the contract. Then it sounds like he waited hoping his last minute surprise would pressure Mr. Greenwood into going along. When he didn't the promoter tried to make it look like he was the one who was wronged.

As far as Mr. Greenwood only being in it for the money, well that's how he earns his living and this was never a free performance by him. Harvickfan would it be alright if your next paycheck was a few hundred short? Or maybe some stranger could give you apersonal check to make uo the difference.

Lee Greenwood is a legend in his time if asked he'd have done the concert for free. He had his band with him I assume? they had to be paid. A deal is a deal.

Read this in the snopes link......"Greenwood noted that he had done 18 tours for the military without charge......."

He has done some free shows. However, you can't expect him to do it for free all the time. Don't forget, it costs him thousands to move his people equipment and the rest of the show around the country.

quote:

Originally posted by brianconway:
He has done some free shows. However, you can't expect him to do it for free all the time. Don't forget, it costs him thousands to move his people equipment and the rest of the show around the country.

Yeah, but he could have accepted the check from the KofC . . . notwithstanding the terms of the contract.

...gjd

I wonder how much it costs him to get him, his band and all the necessary instruments to and from the concert site. Add to this the cost of meals, hotels, taxi cabs, etc and that adds up to real money.

Think about it. Then go back to casting your stones.

quote:

Originally posted by edgykatid:
I sing karaoke about twice a month at various places in Northern Virginia and I'll sing any Lee Greenwood song for you for 20 bucks.

Now, I don't know if I'm a good singer or not, but I know that people are really happy when I'm finished!

I will offer to follow your act with my own singing (screaching) of the Big and Rich Song, "The 8th of November".

Don

Kind of sounds like Greenwood does more than his share in the article below.

Lee Greenwood Performs for Bagram Troops

By U.S. Army Spc. Kelly Hunt / 4th Public Affairs Detachment

BAGRAM, Afghanistan, Sept. 29, 2003 — Country music star Lee Greenwood showed his patriotism once again as he met troops throughout base and provided a little inspiration during a concert Friday hosted at the MWR Civic Center.

Bagram is one stop on his planned nine-day tour where he is performing for troops in Kyrgyzstan, K2, Kandahar, Jalababad and Qatar in show of his everlasting support of military personnel and his country.

“I’ve had the same initiative since I was 15 years old, doing my part as a citizen to support and give confidence to the military and their mission,” said Greenwood. “That’s my mission and that’s my message.”

This is Greenwood’s first United Service Organizations tour since 9-11, though with over thirteen USO tours logged in, he’s nearly a veteran himself. Greenwood said he’s excited to be back on tour bringing smiles to appreciative crowds.

“When I come to see people in the military, I naturally see people who are longing to go home, but are doing their duty so when I do my shows, I’m gonna poke a little fun, but also bring them some of the culture out here half way across the globe,” he said.

Troops here welcomed his arrival with gratitude as Greenwood made his way throughout the base spending time with them and shaking hands one by one.



Country music star Lee Greenwood signs an autograph for Senior Airman William Mackinzie, 245th Air Traffic Control Squadron, during a visit to the Air Force Compound on base. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kelly Hunt

“I told my wife on the phone that I was going to meet Lee Greenwood so she’s just elated at the fact that I get to meet him and she’s mad that she didn’t,” said one fan, Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ken McQuiston, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing. “It’s a tremendous honor for us to have folks come from the states to visit us because being thousands and thousands of miles from home and our loved ones, it’s nice to know someone else is thinking of us and will take time away from their schedule to come and entertain us.”

Greenwood’s dedication to the military is long lived and he strongly believes in the military’s mission, said Jerry Bently, Greenwood’s manager of 19 years.

“Lee’s been patriotic and supportive of the Armed Forces long before it was a fashionable thing to do,” said Bently, who added that he stands behind Greenwood every step of the way concerning his tours to visit deployed troops. “It’s just something that he feels very strongly about.”



Country music star Lee Greenwood entertains troops here during a live performance held at the Morale, Wellness and Recreation Civic Center in support of the military’s mission in Afghanistan and in acknowledgement of the sacrifices they endure while deployed. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kelly Hunt
Greenwood said the encouragement he gets back in the states to do these types of tours is incredible.

“When I tell people that I’m going to visit troops in Afghanistan, Iraq or wherever we’re going, I always get ‘yes, go do it, go take them our blessing,’” he said.

His dedication stems from many sources, but he said that looking at his wife Kim and children Dalton, 8, and Parker, 5, allows him to better relate to troops and helps him understand the difficulties they experience when deployed.

When given the chance to back out of the tour due to the fact that he would have to leave his band and entourage back in the states, Greenwood quickly said he would continue as planned through a one-man show was different then any tour he had done before. He was determined to be here for the troops and temporarily replaced his band’s sound with per-recorded background music, said Bently.

Greenwood’s hope in coming overseas and entertaining troops is to ensure in each of them that people back home do care and are thankful for the sacrifices troops are making for their country.

“No matter what their heritage or nationality before America, if you’re an American citizen and in uniform, they are serving the country and that’s important to me,” said Greenwood.

Below is an email I got back from Lee's manager. I am still awaiting the story and have sent emails to the KofC for their take.

On a side note. When anyone does a free concert for ANY organization, they are getting paid somehow. I am curious as to what the USO pays for a band to perform for the troops.

Anyway, great conversations! Here's the email:

Don't rush to judgement just yet. Finally, the Denver media is getting the entire truth which will be published in the next 24-48 hours.

This incident had nothing to do with Patriotism, it was simply a business deal that went bad because the promoter could not or would not live up to his agreement.

Lee is no different than anyone else, we are not accustom to working for 50% wages, are you. These concerts each year allow Lee the time and resources to travel for the USO and DOD outside the U.S. in support of our active military. These tours are done as gratis. Lee also does 6 benefits each year for various charities.

The KOC was not nor have they ever been involved in the event. A local member who happened to be a friend of the promoter stated he was a member and asked if we would take his personal check, not a KOC check. We stopped collecting worthless checks a few years ago after the file got too big.

Lastly, Lee agreed to do the concert because it was supposed to be free, but upon arrival in Denver on Sept. 15, we learned the promoter had been selling tickets to everyone that wanted to attend. People in the Denver community are now beginning to ask questions as to the whereabouts of the promoter and seeking an accounting of the funds from ticket sales because they have not been refunded.

Thank you for your service in the Coast Guard.

Jerry Bentley

Note I haven't seen that article yet as stated bt Jerry.

Ok....I'll pay YOU 20 bucks to let me sing at your next event.

quote:

Lastly, Lee agreed to do the concert because it was supposed to be free, but upon arrival in Denver on Sept. 15, we learned the promoter had been selling tickets to everyone that wanted to attend. People in the Denver community are now beginning to ask questions as to the whereabouts of the promoter and seeking an accounting of the funds from ticket sales because they have not been refunded.

It appears that there really might be two sides to the story. Imagine that… the people casting doubt on Greenwood were themselves making money on an event that was supposed to be free. Where's the outrage now?

Any of you folks want to go pick up your stones yet? You might need them to throw at others.

I didn't throw a stone per say, I threw my celll phone as any good armed Coastie would.

Yes there are two sides of the story. I have reservations though. It's stated by both camps that there would be a 20K charge and when the promotor failed to meet his agreement, Greenwood pulled out. Now Greenwood's camp is stating that the concert was for free. I take reservations on that as I fail to see them make a 20K agreement the day of the concert. Maybe he's drinking a pink fizzle with the Dixie Chicks right now.