Lee Greenwood & Owensboro Symphony Orchestra's Free Concert

Country music icon Lee Greenwood is coming to Owensboro this weekend. The legendary "God Bless the U.S.A." singer is joining forces with the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra for the Summer Salute, which is set for Saturday, June 5th, 2021 at 7pm.

The event is FREE to the public and will take place at McConnell Plaza downtown at the Riverfront. Folks attending the concert are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and/or blankets.

Following in the footsteps of the opening weekend of Friday After 5, in many ways the Summer Salute marks the return of live music and crowds downtown following nearly a year-long drought due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. And the Summer Salute was designed to pay tribute to those folks on the front lines who worked diligently, tirelessly to help us through it. We'll be saluting community leaders, front line workers and emergency responders and, yes, we'll have a country music legend helping us out.

While the event is free, the Symphony is offering two ticketed options for an enhanced experience.

$1,000 - Conductor's Circle will provide a VIP experience that includes a table for eight with dinner provided by Lure Seafood and Grille, table service for cash bar, 25% discount at the Hampton Inn and Suites Downtown Waterfront, and access to private restrooms. Guests will choose one of three meal options.
$500 - Reserved Seating includes table and chairs for eight.

If you'd like to purchase one of these "enhanced" experiences, you can make reservations by calling 270-684-0661 ext. 111. I chatted with my friend Sara Jackson on Tuesday. She confirmed that there are still tables available.

Troy Quinn, the conductor of the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, will be joining Angel and me Friday morning on the WBKR morning show to chat about the concert and what surprises the Summer Salute may have in store! Of course, there's no doubt that THE highlight will be a special appearance by Lee Greenwood, who has enjoyed a storied country music career.

Lee has had seven #1 hits on the Billboard Country Chart. However, he's arguably best known for his song, "God Bless the U.S.A.", which peaked at #7 back in 1984. It's a song that still resonates, triumphantly, today. And, as a matter of fact, it's become customary to stand when it's performed. I have a hunch we'll experience that Saturday night downtown!

Here's one of Lee's best-known performances of that song. It's from Game 4 of the 2001 World Series at Yankee Stadium in New York.