Nashville, TN – peermusic Nashville has signed legendary artist and songwriter Lee Greenwood to an exclusive global music publishing deal, as announced today by Kathy Spanberger, President & Chief Operating Officer, peermusic and Michael Knox, Senior Vice President, peermusic Nashville. Greenwood has scored seven No. 1 country hits and through the deal peermusic will administer some of his most iconic songs, including the classic “God Bless The U.S.A.”
“peermusic has had a special relationship with country music since it was founded, so adding a songwriter of Lee Greenwood’s stature to our roster is a truly special accomplishment for everyone here. Lee could obviously have his pick of publishers, so we’re thrilled he chose to sign with peermusic,” said Kathy Spanberger.
“It’s an honor to be a part of Mr. Greenwood’s legendary catalog,” said Michael Knox. “It was exciting enough watching from the outside looking in, and now I get to be inside the circle with the real deal, a legend.”
“It’s important to me to have a publisher who will support my music and help me continue to share it with the world, and after getting to know Kathy, Michael and their team I know that they will. peermusic has a long history with country music and I’m glad to now be a part of it,” said Lee Greenwood.
Since beginning his career in the 1960s, Lee Greenwood has become one of the most successful and beloved singer-songwriters in country music. His catalog features twenty-two studio albums and seven Hot Country No. 1 hits, including “Somebody’s Gonna Love You”, “Going, Going, Gone”, “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 “Mornin’ Ride.” He’s earned multiple awards, including a GRAMMY for Top Male Vocal Performance for “I.O.U.” in 1985.
Greenwood’s stand-out hit “God Bless the U.S.A.” has been in the top five on the country singles charts three times (1991, 2001, and 2003), making it the only song in any genre of music to achieve that feat, and it also reached the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 shortly after 9/11. Known for his patriotism and support of the U.S. military, Greenwood has received the Congressional Medal of Honor, Society’s National Patriot’s Award and has entertained troops on more than 30 USO Tours.
Since it was founded almost 100 years ago, peermusic has remained deeply committed to country songwriters and their music. peermusic founder Ralph S. Peer helped launch the career of many early American music icons while also introducing blues, folk and country music to a global audience. Peer was the executive producer of Mamie Smith’s “Crazy Blues” (considered by many to be the first blues record), James P. Johnson’s “Carolina Shout” (among the first jazz piano solo recordings) and Fiddlin’ John Carson’s “The Little Old Log Cabin In The Lane” (the first country record released). Peer also produced the 1927 Bristol Sessions, considered the “Big Bang” of country music, where he discovered country legends Jimmie Rodgers and The Carter Family.
Under the leadership of Kathy Spanberger and Michael Knox, peermusic has developed into one of Nashville’s top publishing operations, and for the third consecutive year peermusic was named one of Billboard’s Top 10 Hot Country Songs Publishing Corporations.
Links to Lee Greenwood social networks:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theleegreenwood
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLeeGreenwood
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheLeeGreenwood
Website: https://leegreenwood.com/