Lee Greenwood with special guest Jimmy Fortune

Lee Greenwood is an American country artist who bridged the gap between traditional and contemporary country music. He is best known for his patriotic anthem “God Bless the USA.” The iconic song, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2013, went far beyond what Greenwood expected when he wrote it in the back of his tour bus in 1983. The song has been in the top five on the country singles charts three times (1991, 2001, and 2003), giving it the distinction of being the only song in any genre of music to achieve that feat. It was also #1 on the pop charts after 9/11/01. Greenwood says, “USA is the song I always felt I needed to write. I wanted to have something that would unite Americans from coast to coast, and I wanted to instill pride back into our country.”

While Greenwood could easily talk about the accomplishments in his life, this high-energy entertainer prefers to continue writing and recording with the same passion and integrity that has always fueled his amazing career. Greenwood continues to tour across the country and performs for many charitable events, lending his time and name to numerous organizations, including Helping A Hero, of which he is the National Ambassador. Helping a Hero provides specially-adapted homes for wounded warriors and their families. Greenwood has also achieved success as an author, penning the politically charged book Does God Still Bless the USA: A Plea for a Better America, published in 2012. His latest, a children’s illustrated book, was released Memorial Day Weekend 2015 and is called Proud To Be An American (Clovercroft Publishing). Written to the lyrics of "God Bless The USA" and fully illustrated with colorful pictures by Amanda Sekulow, the hardback book encourages patriotism among our nation's younger generation. It debuted at No. 1 on three Amazon children’s book charts the week of its release. For more information, visit leegreenwood.com.

Whether requested by his loyal fans or heralded by fellow artists, the voice of Jimmy Fortune is one of those special instruments. His recognizable tenor has graced some of Country music's biggest hits, earning the Virginia native a spot in both the hallowed ranks of the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Music has always been important in Jimmy’s life, as he first began performing with his father at local square dances back home. At the age of thirteen, he formed his first band, The New Edition, and the Jimmy Fortune story began. As an adult, Fortune became known as an artist who could sing anything, ranging from Country and Bluegrass to Rock and Roll. In 1982, Jimmy was hired by The Statler Brothers to fill in for Lew DeWitt until it became a permanent job when Lew was too ill with Crohn’s Disease. To say that he carved out his own place as a Statler would be an understatement.

Encouraged to develop his writing talents, Fortune wrote and sang lead on many of their biggest hits. “Elizabeth,” “Too Much On My Heart,” “Forever,” and “More Than A Name On A Wall” are just a few of the Statlers’ hits that feature the Fortune name and voice. He was also part of the group’s award-winning TNN variety series, which ran from 1991 to 1998, and played date after date on the road, bringing their legendary sound to thousands each year.

After The Statler Brothers retired on October 26th, 2002, Jimmy seized the opportunity to launch a solo career to share new music with his fans. From 2002 to 2012, he recorded 4 solo albums. In 2015, Jimmy teamed up with the Gaither Music Group and has recorded three successful projects with them. He is also a member of a group called Brothers of the Heart, which also records for Gaither Music Group, with Ben Isaacs, Mike Rogers, and Bradley Walker. For more information, visit jimmyfortune.com. 

Ticket prices are $35 (Stage Front Chair Seating), $45 (Reserved Grandstand Seating), and $25 (General Admission Bleachers).

Tickets will go on sale Friday, February 20th, at 10:00 am. Tickets will be available online at www.midwestix.com, by phone at 515-244-2771, or in person at the Events Center Box Office. All tickets, regardless of purchase location, are also subject to a $6.00 ticketing fee, which is not included in the advertised price.

About the Grandstand
Bag checks are conducted at all Grandstand events, and certain items are prohibited, including weapons or firearms, outside alcoholic beverages, air horns or other noisemakers, helium balloons, glitter or confetti, glass bottles, fireworks, and illegal substances. Fair admission is not included with Grandstand event tickets. Children aged two and under may sit on an adult's lap; all other attendees must have a ticket. Accessible seating is available; each guest in these areas is allowed one companion.

About The Clay County Fair & Events Center
Rooted in Tradition, the Clay County Fair and Events Center is a year-round facility that annually hosts more than 300 events, including its signature event, the Clay County Fair. Known as "The World's Greatest County Fair" since 1917, the Clay County Fair attracts more than 300,000 guests each September for nine days of world-class entertainment, competition, food, fun, and the largest farm machinery show at any fair in the United States. Additional information can be found at www.claycountyfair.com.