Lee Greenwood, the patriotic country singer who’s “proud to be an American,” earned plenty of bad press when he refused to perform in Denver on Saturday at a musical salute to the military, police and firefighters.
But he’s returning to Denver next month for two big charity events backed by philanthropist Sharon Magness Blake. She stands by her man.
Greenwood’s walkout involved a dispute over how much cash he received of his $20,000 fee and his refusal to accept a check for the balance.
“No pay, no play,” his manager told The Denver Post.
Blake, who has known and worked with Greenwood for years, said Thursday: “He’s a good friend and a good guy. I talked to him, and from what I understand it’s just a business dispute. It has nothing to do with his patriotism. I don’t know anyone who’s done more for the troops.”
Greenwood will be back in town to perform at the Men for the Cure Dinner on Oct. 4 and the Western Fantasy Gala on Oct. 27. Both are big funders founded and supported by Blake. At Western Fantasy, as soon as people are seated for dinner, Blake rides her horse around the infield of the National Western Complex, carrying an American flag, as Greenwood sings “God Bless the USA.” It’s something to see. He has done this for years, and he’ll do it again.
Hotshots in the hills
Aspen is going to be a powerful place by the end of this month. The Aspen Filmfest runs Tuesday through Sept. 30. And the Forstmann Little retreat, an off-the-record, big-biz meet-and-greet with some of the world’s power elite, is in town at the same time.
Julie Christie is honored at the film festival, interviewed on stage by PBS and “60 Minutes” chatterbox Charlie Rose.
Rose may be doing double duty. He’s also a regular at the Forstmann Little retreat, usually interviewing some big guns. At the past two Forstmann meetings, we saw the likes of Alan Greenspan, Andrea Mitchell, Jimmy Choo prexy Tamara Mellon, Yahoo chair Terry Semel, Bill Owens, Brian Williams, Paul Wolfowitz, Karl Rove, Google boss Eric Schmidt, Saudi ambassador Turki al-Faisal, Sen. John McCain, Gen. Colin Powell, Sen. Sam Nunn and “Dog Whisperer” Cesar Millan. Stay tuned for the bold names coming this year.
Waiter in my soup
The upcoming Colorado Expression magazine picks and profiles Denver’s best waiters – starting with my old pal Christian Tillo at Elway’s.
“I like to help people fit in, to treat them with respect and dignity,” he says.
Other star servers: Ebony Booth at Cherry Creek Grill, Nico Eymar at Rioja, Jerry Gallegos at Oceanaire, Adam McClain at Racines, Ilan Baril at Cap Grille, Francisco “Paco” Pacheco at Venice, Dan Fosha at Panzano and Frank Thompson at Piatti.
City spirit
Kurt Boucher, chef/owner of Salida’s Butcher’s Table formerly with Pine Creek Cookhouse in Aspen, is on the Food Network’s “Iron Chef” Oct. 7. … Sez who: “There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.” Bill Clinton
Bill Husted’s column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Husted also appears Tuesdays and Fridays on “Good Day Colorado” on Fox 31. You can reach him at 303-954-1486 or bhusted@denverpost.com.
