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5 Facts About God Bless America Again

As we prepare to celebrate America's birthday this weekend, how many of these facts about the patriotic hymn God Bless America Again did you know?

1) Written by Bobby Bare and Boyce Hawkins, the song has been covered by countless artists from Tex Ritter to Ray Charles, but Conway and Loretta actually recorded it twice. Doyle Wilburn did the recitation part when it was initially recorded as the title track of Loretta's third gospel album. By the time the record was released in 1972 Conway & Loretta's wildly successful partnership had begun so Doyle's voice was replaced with Conway's. The album doesn't even credit him. 

2) In 1976 they recorded the song again for their United Talent album, and it became the "B" side of their hit The Letter. Though it didn't chart it received significant airplay due to its release during the United States Bicentennial.

3) Concert goers in the early days of Conway & Loretta's shows together (1971/72 era) would have witnessed a magical moment when a huge American flag dropped down from the ceiling, the lights went down and a spotlight hit the flag at the beginning of the song.

4) In addition to performing God Bless America Again in concert, it was also included on Loretta's 1981 television special The Lady, The Legend (with the entire cast of the show, not as a duet), and in this classic performance from Madison Square Garden in 1972's Nashville at the Garden.

5) In today's pop culture, Conway & Loretta's version of God Bless America Again can be heard during the closing credits of the 2012 HBO made-for-TV movie Game Change about Sarah Palin's role in the 2008 presidential election. It was also played during the opening scene of the 2009 movie The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard starring Jeremy Piven.

Did you ever have the honor of seeing Conway & Loretta perform God Bless America Again live in concert? If so, please leave a comment and tell me about it!

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