"I learned the psychology of people under pressure. There was something inside me that said, ‘Someday, I’d like to write a song like (‘An American Trilogy’) that Elvis sings. Presley and I often worked in the same Nevada hotels. He inspired me, and I, in addition, had learned many patriotic songs during my high school years, especially those by John Phillip Sousa. I always knew that if he ever landed in Nashville, I would write a song reminiscent of Sousa, and Presley’s trilogy. And in 1983, I did."
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Actors from MississippiAmerican country singersSinger-songwriters from the United StatesGuitarists from the United StatesGospel singers
Original Language: English
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Sources
Lee Greenwood on the two musicians who inspired him to write "God bless the USA",as told in an article published in the American Songwriter's June 30, 2025 edition,
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Elvis_Presley
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Elvis Presley
film actor, singer, composer
1935 – 1977 · United States
(8 January 1935 – 16 August 1977) was an American singer, musician, and actor. Popularly known by his first name as "Elvis," as "The King of Rock and Roll" or simply as "The King," he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century.
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