Lee Greenwood
b. 27 October l942, Los Angeles, California, USA. Because of his parents’ divorce, Greenwood was brought up by his grandparents in Sacramento, California, but he inherited their musical talent as his mother played piano and his father woodwind. In his teens, he played in various bands in Sacramento and Los Angeles and was even part of a dixieland jazz band at Disneyland. He played saxophone for country star Del Reeves and then formed his own band, Apollo, which found work in Las Vegas in 1962. He turned down an opportunity to join the Rascals and for many years he was arranging and playing music for bands in casinos. The environment narrowed his vocal range and he developed a husky-voiced approach to ballads similar to Kenny Rogers. In 1979 his career to a major step forward when he was heard by Larry McFadden of Mel Tillis’ band, who became his manager. His first MCA single, It Turns Me Inside Out, was a US country hit in 1981. This was followed by several other country hits including two number ls, Somebody's Gonna Love You and Going, Going, Gone. His songs were also recorded by several other performers including Kenny Rogers who found success with A Love Song. In 1984 he cut an album with Barbara Mandrell and they made the US country charts with You've Got A Good Love Coming To Me and he also recorded a patriotic song he wrote, God Bless The USA, which won the Country Music Association's Song Of The Year. His other number 1 country singles are Dixie Road, I Don't Mind The Thorns (If You're The Rose), Don't Underestimate My Love For You, Hearts Aren't Made To Break (They're Made To Love), and the sensual Mornin Ride’. He has won numerous country awards but is best known in the UK for the original recording of The Wind Beneath My Wings, which entered the UK charts in 1984.