Lee Greenwood adds Oct shows as Speaker touts Super Bowl role

TL;DR:

• Lee Greenwood’s October shows include Oct 12, 13, and 17.
  
• A new Ohio date at Van Wert’s Niswonger is set for Oct 17, 2025.
  
• Speaker Mike Johnson said he prefers Greenwood over Bad Bunny for Super Bowl.
  
• Greenwood’s 2025 American Spirit Tour continues through the fall.
  
• Fans can check official listings for the latest updates.

Lee Greenwood is back on the road this month. His official site lists October dates in Alabama, Mississippi, and Ohio, with a return to Van Wert’s Niswonger Performing Arts Center on Friday, October 17, 2025. A local outlet also confirmed the Van Wert engagement this week.

The 82-year-old singer remains best known for “God Bless the USA.” He continues to anchor civic events and state fairs. The fall run sits within his 2025 American Spirit Tour.

The October schedule at a glance

Greenwood’s official calendar and venue announcements show three near-term stops:

Tickets and on-sale details vary by venue. Check each venue box office or the artist site for final times and pricing.

Why people are talking about Greenwood now

On October 8, 2025, Variety reported that House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized the NFL’s choice of Bad Bunny for the Super Bowl halftime show. He said it was a “terrible decision,” adding that Lee Greenwood would have been a better pick. The comment pulled Greenwood into a broader debate about halftime optics and audience appeal.

Greenwood did not weigh in publicly on Johnson’s remark as of publication time. The comment does show how firmly “God Bless the USA” sits in the American cultural mix. It also shows how artists can become shorthand for certain values in political talk.

Tour context and fan takeaways

Greenwood launched the American Spirit Tour in January 2025. The run has leaned on fairs, PACs, and theaters. Set lists typically blend chart hits like “I.O.U.” and “Dixie Road” with the closer many come to hear.

For fans around the listed cities:

• Montgomery and Jackson shows align with state fair peaks. Expect heavy traffic and security lines.
  
• Van Wert’s Niswonger is a seated theater. Plan to book early if you prefer front-center sections.
  

Background for new readers

Greenwood wrote “God Bless the USA” in the 1980s. The song surged after the Gulf War and again after September 11. He has performed at national events and presidential ceremonies across party lines over four decades. In 2025 he also drew attention through a long-running tribute special and steady touring.

What happens next

Expect additional fall and winter dates to shift as fair schedules and PAC calendars open. The best source of truth is the artist’s tour page and venue announcements. If the Super Bowl conversation keeps running, you may see more opinion pieces linking Greenwood to halftime debates.

Tips if you plan to go

• Check the artist site the week of your show. Dates and set times can move.
  
• Know your venue rules on bags, cameras, and parking. Fairs often restrict entry items.
  
• For theater shows, arrive 45 minutes early. Lobby lines build quickly.
  

Why it matters

This story is about more than a tour update. It shows how one song can anchor a public image across decades. It also shows how entertainment and politics mix in big-stage moments like the Super Bowl. For fans, the near-term news is simple: Greenwood is performing this month, and tickets remain available in several markets.

Sources:

• Variety, “House Speaker Johnson Calls Bad Bunny at Super Bowl ‘a terrible decision,’ says Lee Greenwood would be better,” https://variety.com/2025/music/news/house-speaker-johnson-bad-bunny-super-bowl-halftime-1236542862/ , 2025-10-08
  
• LeeGreenwood.com, “Tour” page listing October dates, https://leegreenwood.com/tour-2/ , accessed 2025-10-08
  
• Mercer County Outlook, “Lee Greenwood Returns To The Niswonger,” https://mercercountyoutlook.net/2025/10/07/lee-greenwood-returns-to-the-niswonger/ , 2025-10-07