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Lee Greenwood's 40 Years of Hits Event - Paula shares behind-the-scenes stories from her evening hosting Lee Greenwood's 40 Years of Hits Concert Event!
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0:01
- So, hey y'all, come on in,
0:02
because I was just sitting here
0:05
talking to my Aunt Peggy and my niece Corrie,
0:08
and Eddie and I was talking about
0:11
one of the most wonderful experiences.
0:14
It's right up there in the top five, maybe,
0:19
of experiences that meant so much to me.
0:24
I've done a lot of things over the last 20 years.
0:27
Y'all know I've
0:30
been in The Rose Parade.
0:33
Oh my gosh, being the-
0:35
- [Eddie] The Grand Marshall.
0:36
- The Grand Marshall of The Rose Parade,
0:38
that was one of those most incredible experiences.
0:43
But,
0:45
I was invited to participate
0:49
in a celebration of Lee Greenwood
0:53
and Kim, his wife Kim,
0:56
and we celebrated the 40th anniversary
1:00
of Lee Greenwood's "God Bless The U.S.A.".
1:05
You know, that song is so relevant today
1:09
and it's been 40 years Aunt Peggy, since he wrote that song.
1:12
- [Peggy] I didn't realize it was that.
1:14
- I know it, 40 years.
1:17
And Lee is such a good guy.
1:21
He's such a patriot, y'all.
1:24
He supports our wounded warriors like crazy,
1:29
like you wouldn't believe.
1:30
And I had the opportunity, a few years back.
1:36
Lee got involved with this program,
1:41
building special homes for the wounded warriors
1:44
that were really, really wounded.
1:47
Some of 'em had no legs
1:49
or some of 'em was missing an arm or an eye.
1:52
It's really those heroes that-
1:57
- Helping a Hero - that really need help
2:00
after they have fought for this country
2:02
and fought for us for our freedoms.
2:09
We did an awards banquet
2:12
maybe a couple of months ago, Eddie.
2:14
- [Eddie] Yeah, back in June.
2:15
- And I was,
2:19
I was so fortunate.
2:21
I was one of the ones that was given an award
2:27
for helping the wounded.
2:30
Lee would get the houses built
2:33
and I would furnish the houses
2:36
with the Paula Deen furniture.
2:39
So I was given an award for being a patriot,
2:43
which was such an honor, because I do,
2:46
I do, do, do love our heroes
2:51
that protect us every day
2:53
and make it possible for us to live the lives that we live
2:57
because of what they do.
2:59
So we're celebrating Lee's 40th anniversary
3:04
and there was so, so many Country Western performers
3:10
that came out to honor Lee
3:13
and
3:15
I had been asked to emcee this
3:19
along with Governor Mike Huckabee.
3:23
And I just love the governor,
3:26
I was on his show years ago
3:29
and I will never forget,
3:34
but I do forget. (chuckles)
3:36
I'll never forget who was also a guest on this show, Corrie.
3:41
It was- that's what I forgot.
3:45
And I can see him right now, love him to pieces.
3:47
I mean, he's huge.
3:49
I've told you about that experience hadn't I, Eddie?
3:53
- [Eddie] I don't remember.
3:54
I don't remember it. - Oh my gosh,
3:55
governor and I was talking about it.
3:57
This awards banquet was Tuesday, October the 10th,
4:02
you said, Eddie? - 12th.
4:04
- 12th so it was- - Yeah, just a week ago.
4:06
- just a week ago.
4:08
And it was in
4:13
- Huntsville. - Huntsville, Alabama.
4:16
And I can't remember the arena, but it was huge.
4:20
- [Eddie] Yes it was great, great.
4:21
The Von Braun Center. - Von Braun's,
4:23
that's why I can't remember (Eddie laughs)
4:24
'cause it's not like the Smith Institute
4:27
or something like that.
4:28
(she laughs)
4:29
Vons Braun.
4:31
Well, it held a lot of people
4:33
and it was so loud
4:34
and the proceeds were going to the wounded warriors
4:39
to help build these homes for 'em.
4:43
And-
4:45
no, let me see now who it was.
4:47
He is one of the biggest old country singers around,
4:53
wasn't Randy Travis it wasn't-
4:56
- [Corrie] George Strait?
4:58
- Wasn't George Strait. Come on, keep on.
5:00
George, it's George,
5:02
George Jones.
5:05
- [Eddie] There you go. - [Peggy] Good.
5:07
- George Jones.
5:08
- [Eddie] We worked it out. (they laugh)
5:10
- And he,
5:12
George Jones was
5:15
incredibly talented
5:18
and he was on Governor Huckabee's show the day that I was
5:23
so I got to meet he and his wife
5:25
and they were just the sweetest people.
5:27
But so anyway,
5:28
how many musicians would you say came out
5:32
to entertain the audience,
5:34
these people that had bought tickets
5:37
to go to the wounded warriors?
5:39
- [Eddie] I don't know, maybe around a hundred?
5:42
- I would think it.
5:43
And I'm not gon' be able to list all the names
5:45
so y'all please forgive me.
5:46
- [Eddie] Well we're gonna post the video
5:48
and you can, - Oh good.
5:49
- [Eddie] you can count everyone standing on stage.
5:51
(Eddie chuckles) - That is great.
5:53
There was a pile of us on stage
5:55
because at the end,
5:59
we all gathered on the stage
6:03
and we all sang "God Bless The U.S.A." together.
6:07
And if that won't make the hair stand up on you,
6:11
won't nothing, won't nothing bother you.
6:13
But I'm gon' just read off a few of the people
6:18
that were there to entertain.
6:23
And The Oak Ridge Boys,
6:26
and Clay Coleman was the voice of God (giggles)
6:29
and Big & Rich, love me some Big & Rich,
6:34
Clay Coleman, Michael W. Smith,
6:38
Anthony Castan-
6:41
- [Eddie] Castagna. - Castana,
6:42
Stagna (laughs)
6:45
C-A-S-T-A-G-N-A
6:47
and you were great,
6:50
Eddie was saying today
6:51
how much he loved your performance, Anthony.
6:54
And Rodney Atkins,
6:57
Mark Wills,
6:59
Mark is coming to Rincon isn't he?
7:02
- Yes, yes he- - This coming weekend.
7:04
- [Eddie] he has a concert.
7:06
- Yes, he's got a concert in Rincon
7:07
and he asked if we would like to come, Eddie,
7:10
but I don't know that we're gon' be able to come,
7:12
but I so appreciate you, very sweet.
7:15
So if I repeat the names.
7:17
- [Eddie] His performance was great too, then.
7:18
- It was- he was great.
7:22
Billy Dean,
7:26
Rhonda Vincent, Alex Miller,
7:29
Felix Cavill- Cavaliere?
7:32
Is that right, Eddie?
7:34
Michael Ray,
7:37
Deana Martin.
7:39
Now Deana Martin, let me tell you, Aunt Peggy,
7:41
is Dean Martin's daughter
7:44
and Dean had six children
7:46
and Deana was the only one
7:50
that had the singing talent.
7:51
- [Eddie] And she was great.
7:53
- She was. - She looks like a movie star.
7:56
- She does look like a movie star.
7:58
She had on this gold dress with sequins.
8:02
Oh my gosh, she looked like a million dollars
8:04
up on that stage.
8:07
Alright, now let's see.
8:08
Where did I leave off?
8:10
Deana Martin, John Berry,
8:14
The Frontmen of Country, Tim Rushlow,
8:17
Larry Stewart, Richie McDonald,
8:22
Dustin Lynch,
8:24
Tracy Lawrence,
8:27
Larry Steve & Rudy: The Gatlin Brothers-
8:30
they were great too-
8:32
Scott Stapp from Creed,
8:37
Jamey Johnson,
8:40
Gavin DeGraw,
8:43
Crystal Gayle.
8:45
Oh my goodness, the audience went crazy.
8:47
- [Eddie] Yeah, that was a treat to see her.
8:50
- Crystal Gayle's hair is down,
8:54
and if she didn't have on her heels,
8:56
it would brush the floor.
8:58
You know, she was known
8:58
for her long, long, long, black hair
9:01
and she was-
9:04
had a tune that you just never forget
9:06
and "Don't You Make My Brown Eyes Blue".
9:10
Do you remember hearing that, Aunt Peggy?
9:12
- Yes. - So it was,
9:13
and she was so sweet,
9:16
I was able to talk to her about Loretta, who is-
9:21
been very kind to me over the last few years.
9:24
She's been so kind to me and I love Loretta
9:27
and Loretta, if you see this, I hope you're doing well.
9:32
Debbie Boone.
9:33
- Uh-huh.
9:34
- Do you remember? Now what was Debbie's song?
9:40
Oh my goodness. What was her song?
9:42
Debbie Boone. - It should say right there.
9:44
- Well, let's see,
9:45
"You Light Up My Life" - "You Light Up My Life"
9:47
how could you forget that? - Yes, yes, yes. Yeah.
9:48
How could we forget? (Eddie laughs)
9:50
Jeff Carson, Lee Brice,
9:53
and Sam Moore
9:56
and T. Graham Brown
10:00
and oh my goodness, now Sam,
10:03
Sam Moore is an old, old, old,
10:08
in the beginning of
10:12
what would you call it?
10:15
Rock and roll?
10:16
I don't know if rock and roll's the right-
10:18
but he was blues and, oh man,
10:20
we celebrated Sam's 89th birthday that night.
10:25
He was 89 on that day
10:28
and he was a mess and I have to tell y'all what he said.
10:31
He's got a cute little wife,
10:36
she had walked away
10:37
I was talking with Sam and he said,
10:42
"Paula, I told my wife,
10:45
'I didn't know that Paula Deen was pretty.
10:48
She don't look pretty on TV,
10:51
but you know what? She's a right pretty old bag.'"
10:55
(she laughs)
10:59
- [Corrie] Oh my God, Sam. - Oh, I just cracked up
11:01
I just about died laughing
11:02
and Sam let me tell you,
11:04
you pretty good looking old bag yourself. (laughs)
11:09
T. Graham Brown was wonderful with Sam
11:13
and they sang "Ain't No Trick" and "Soul Man",
11:17
you remember the room going crazy when they did "Soul Man"?
11:21
And then that's when we all came out
11:23
and sang happy birthday to Sam.
11:28
Let's see, we had the Helping A Hero Home Giveaway
11:32
and I am so happy.
11:35
I don't have any wood furniture line now,
11:38
but I do have upholstered furniture line.
11:40
I don't have a hard wood furniture line anymore,
11:44
but I do have soft upholstered furniture
11:49
and it's with Craftmaster,
11:53
and you can look it up
11:55
and I think I've really got some beautiful fabrics.
11:58
But so anyway,
11:59
Eddie and I are gon' be going to Texas in November, Eddie?
12:04
- [Eddie] Yeah, about three weeks.
12:06
- To bring one of the wounded warriors,
12:09
precious woman,
12:12
she lost both her legs in Afghanistan,
12:16
and Eddie and I are bringing her
12:19
her furniture from the Paula Deen line
12:23
and we're so excited about seeing Sue.
12:26
Okay, so let's see,
12:28
Darryl Worley,
12:31
John Conlee,
12:34
Home Free,
12:38
and then to end it all,
12:40
Lee Greenwood sang "God Bless The U.S.A".
12:48
I just found, y'all, it was such an honor
12:53
for me to be with all these people,
12:55
because the people in that auditorium,
12:59
they were real.
13:01
Real people,
13:03
kind people.
13:06
And,
13:07
every one of the performers,
13:10
I said came with a song in their heart
13:15
to share with us
13:17
and to help raise money for our heroes.
13:21
So I just wanted to share that with y'all
13:23
and I understand
13:25
that it's actually gon' be televised.
13:29
- [Eddie] Yeah, maybe sometime next year.
13:32
- Next year?
13:34
- [Eddie] Maybe around Memorial Day
13:35
I think they're shooting. - Around Memorial Day?
13:37
Okay.
13:38
So that'll be good
13:39
and I'll tell y'all
13:42
when I find out I will send out a message
13:47
to y'all as to what network it'll be aired on.
13:54
I wanna thank Lee and Kim Greenwood
13:57
from the bottom of my heart,
14:00
it was such an honor to be included
14:06
in this event
14:08
and Governor Huckabee,
14:10
I'm gon' come see you soon, honey,
14:12
'cause I think you invited me to be on your show.
14:16
So, you know, I'm a-coming.
14:19
I wish George Jones was gon' be there but he ain't.
14:23
But he'll be there in spirit.
14:26
So love y'all, love and best dishes.
14:29
("God Bless The U.S.A")
14:35
- Acoustic guitar.
14:42
♪ If tomorrow all the things were gone ♪
14:45
♪ I'd worked for all my life ♪
14:49
♪ And I had to start again ♪
14:52
♪ With just my children and my wife ♪
14:56
♪ I thank my lucky stars ♪
14:59
♪ To be living here today ♪
15:03
♪ 'Cause the flag still stands for freedom ♪
15:06
♪ And they can't take that away ♪
15:13
♪ And I'm proud to be an American ♪
15:16
♪ Where at least I know I'm free ♪
15:20
♪ And I won't forget the men who died ♪
15:24
♪ Who gave that right to me ♪
15:26
♪ And I'd gladly stand up next to you ♪
15:30
♪ And defend Her still today ♪
15:34
♪ 'Cause there ain't no doubt ♪
15:36
♪ I love this land ♪
15:38
Sing it.
15:39
♪ God Bless The U.S.A ♪
15:44
(musicians clap)
15:54
♪ From the lakes of Minnesota ♪
15:58
♪ To the hills of Tennessee ♪
16:02
♪ Across the plains of Texas ♪
16:04
♪ From sea to shining sea ♪
16:08
♪ From Detroit to Houston ♪
16:12
♪ And New York to L.A. ♪
16:15
♪ There's pride in every American heart ♪
16:19
♪ And it's time we stand and say ♪
16:26
♪ That I'm proud to be an American ♪
16:29
♪ Where at least I know I'm free ♪
16:33
♪ And I won't forget the men who died ♪
16:36
♪ Who gave that right to me ♪
16:38
♪ And I'd gladly stand up next to you ♪
16:43
♪ And defend Her still today ♪
16:46
♪ 'Cause there ain't no doubt ♪
16:48
♪ I love this land ♪
16:51
♪ God Bless the U.S.A. ♪
17:00
♪ And I'm proud to be an American ♪
17:04
♪ Where at least I know I'm free ♪
17:07
♪ And I won't forget the men who died ♪
17:11
♪ Who gave that right to me ♪
17:14
♪ And I'd gladly stand up next to you ♪
17:19
♪ And defend Her still today ♪
17:22
♪ 'Cause there ain't no doubt ♪
17:24
♪ I love this land ♪
17:28
♪ God Bless the U.S.A. ♪
17:41
(crowd cheering)
17:49
(woman whoops)
17:54
- Paula, I think we have had a wonderful night
17:58
celebrating Lee Greenwood and the United States of America
18:02
here in Huntsville.
18:03
- I'm still pinching myself that I've had this experience,
18:06
but I have to say to y'all
18:09
and you probably know this
18:11
but all these people on this stage
18:13
came with a song in their heart tonight
18:15
to give to us.
18:17
And it's the veterans
18:19
who've allowed us to experience this.
18:22
(crowd cheers)
18:24
- Be safe on your way home.
18:27
God bless you.
18:28
Thank you, Lee.
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