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While receiving a membership to the National Council of Arts, country singer Lee Greenwood is behind one of the most famous songs in America. Back in 1984, the singer released God Bless the U.S.A. and instantly solidified himself as a symbol of patriotism in America.
And seeming to embrace that symbol with his signature American flag jacket, he recently decided to defend country music after singer Maren Morris criticized the genre for supporting songs like Jason Aldean’s Try That in a Small Town.
Over the last few months, songs like Try That in a Small Town and Rich Men North of Richmond dominated the Billboard Hot 100. While fans control the popularity of a song, Maren Morris decided to do more than voice her disdain for the current climate of country music. She shared her plans to take a step back from the genre.
Speaking on the New York Times Popcast, she claimed the genre was so “steeped in, weirdly, like patriotism or quasi-patriotism, lots of like, overt hypermasculinity, Whiteness — that’s just like how it’s been from the jump.”
‘It Revealed Who People Really Were’
Trying to defend her stance, she criticized former President Donald Trump and his impact on the American people. “After the Trump years, people’s biases were on full display. It just revealed who people really were and that they were proud to be misogynistic and racist and homophobic and transphobic.”
Although drawing a fair amount of backlash for Try That in a Small Town, Jason Aldean didn’t shy away from his lyrics, suggesting, “If you’ve got common sense, you can look at the video and see, I’m not sayin’ anything that’s not true.”
As for Lee Greenwood, he discussed Maren Morris and her comments, suggesting she didn’t understand country music. “To suggest that country music is ‘too patriotic’ is to not understand country music at all. It’s in our very name: country music. Our music is written for love of our country, our heart for America.”
Lee Greenwood Gives Advice To Maren Morris
Lee Greenwood continued to defend country music, adding that the genre is near the heartbeat of America. He also said that it reflects what is happening in society.
“It’s not that politics has infiltrated country music, it’s quite the opposite — music ends up reflecting the very conversations happening across the country today … Political trends will change with the winds, but the core of country music remains: love of country, love of freedom, love of America. There’s nothing wrong with that, and that’s not going to change any time soon.”
Well, there’s pride in every American heart… And it’s time we stand and say #GodBlessTheUSA pic.twitter.com/Akka7azTik
— Lee Greenwood (@TheLeeGreenwood) September 26, 2023
Greenwood didn’t show any animosity toward Maren Morris. Instead, he wants her to stay in the genre. She can help further the conversation and “present her interpretation of what it means to be American today.”
Do you agree with Lee Greenwood’s stance on country music? Be sure to tell us in the comment section below.