#Horatio Alger #Lee Greenwood #Award

Lee Greenwood Receives the 2025 Horatio Alger Award

The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans has announced that Lee Greenwood, the acclaimed American musician, singer, and songwriter, will be awarded the prestigious 2025 Horatio Alger Award. This honor recognizes individuals who have achieved remarkable success despite facing significant challenges and demonstrates a commitment to supporting the American Dream.

Greenwood’s journey is as inspiring as his music. He was born in Los Angeles in 1942, but his early life was riddled with hardships. His father enlisted in the Navy right after the Pearl Harbor attack, leading to the family’s eventual separation during World War II. Growing up, Greenwood and his sister were sent to live with their grandparents on a sharecropper farm in Sacramento. They lived in modest conditions, emphasizing the importance of hard work. As a child, Greenwood took on daily farm chores and learned the value of self-sufficiency, even selling fruits and vegetables to afford his school supplies.

Despite these obstacles, Greenwood’s passion for music emerged early. He began playing the piano at the age of seven and masterfully handled various instruments by his teenage years. His dedication led him to pursue music in college, where he received a scholarship thanks to his high school music teacher’s encouragement. However, he opted to forgo further education and took a significant leap of faith by moving to Nevada, where he spent two decades performing in numerous venues along the Las Vegas Strip.

Fortune smiled upon Greenwood in 1979 when he secured a contract with MCA Music in Nashville. This marked the beginning of his professional career, which skyrocketed in the early 1980s with hits like "It Turns Me Inside Out" and "Ring on Her Finger, Time on Her Hands." Nevertheless, it was his iconic anthem "God Bless the USA," released in 1984, that cemented his legacy within the country music genre. This song is not only a patriotic staple but also showcases Greenwood's ability to resonate with audiences.

Over the years, Greenwood has released over 20 studio albums and 35 singles across diverse genres, earning multiple accolades, including several Country Music Association (CMA) and Academy of Country Music (ACM) awards. His achievements in music are paralleled by his commitment to philanthropic efforts. Greenwood has been a staunch supporter of U.S. military personnel and first responders, performing for troops globally and advocating for organizations that support veterans.

His dedication to giving back extends to various charitable causes, including children's hospitals, education initiatives, and disaster relief. Notably, Greenwood has served as an ambassador for