Between the writing of the lyrics of a protest song called 'America' in the late sixties and the award-winning 'God Bless the USA' there were a series of historical and political events that influenced Greenwood's life. With the help of long-time friend Gwen Ford McLin, he writes about changes in his life that inspired his songwriting to evolve from dark, disturbing doubt to symbolising a rebirth of American pride. This biography of Greenwood and his song begins with the younger days of the singer's life in California and ends with his overwhelming popularity after the Gulf War. Inspiring in its message, this is the story of a man and his music as they grow from the wild, carefree spirit of a rebellious teenager to the respect of a duty-bound patriot.

Reviews

If you were one of the millions who felt chills of patriotism when you first heard Greenwood's song ``God Bless the U.S.A.,'' then you will not be disappointed in this book. Greenwood capsules the last 50 years of American history as he relates his rise to fame--a slow, painful, and costly rise. Marriages ended, material things were repossessed, the country was in turmoil; yet Greenwood never lost sight of his goal. With his penning of what some have called ``a second national anthem,'' this master of the California jazz piano, trumpet, trombone, drum, and saxophone suddenly found a home in country music and catapulted toward fame. Soon, awards came in rapid succession. Greenwood's story exemplifies how one person can capture a moment in time through special gifts, in his case songwriting and performing. Recommended for most public libraries.-- Kathleen Spark man, Baylor Univ., Waco, Tex.