Category Archives: George Strait

Out of all the new country singers to emerge in the early ’80s, George Strait stayed the closest to traditional country. Drawing from both the honky tonk and Western swing traditions, Strait didn’t refashion the genres; instead, he revitalized them for a new decade. In the process, he became one of the most successful and influential singers of the decade, sparking a wave of neo-traditionalist singers from Randy Travis and Dwight Yoakam to Clint Black, Garth Brooks, and Alan Jackson.

Strait was born and raised in Texas, the son of a junior high school teacher who also owned and operated a ranch that had been in the Strait family for nearly hundred years. When George was a child, his mother departed the family, taking her daughter but leaving behind her sons with the father. at a time of his childhood, he would spend his weekdays in town and his weekends on the ranch. Strait started playing music as a teenager, joining a rock & roll garage group. After his high-school graduation in the late ’60s, Strait enrolled in college but soon dropped out and eloped with his high-school sweetheart, Norma. In 1971, Strait enlisted in the Army; two years later, he was stationed Hawaii. while in Hawaii, he started performing country music, initially with an Army-sponsored country group called Rambling Country. They played several dates off the base under the name Santee. Strait exited the Army in 1975, returning to Texas with the intent of completing his education. He enrolled in Southwest Texas State University at San Marcos, where he studied agriculture. during he was studying, he formed his own country band, Ace in the Hole.

Ace in the Hole made a few records for the independent Dallas-based label D in the late ’70s, but they never went anywhere. Toward the end of the decade, Strait attempted to carve out a niche in Nashville, but he failed since he lacked any strong connections. In 1979, he became friends with Erv Woolsey, a Texas club owner who had formerly worked for MCA Records. Woolsey had several MCA executives come down to Texas to hear Strait. His performance convinced the company to sign him in 1980. “Unwound,” Strait’s first single, was released in the spring of 1981 and climbed into the Top Ten. The follow-up, “Down and Out,” stalled at 16, but “If You’re Thinking You Want a Stranger (There’s One Coming Home)” reached number three in early 1982. The song sparked a remarkable string of Top Ten hits that ran well into the ’90s. during that time he had an astonishing 31 number one singles, beginning with 1982’s “Fool Hearted Memory.”

Throughout the ’80s, he dominated the country singles charts, and his units consistently went platinum or gold. Strait rarely abandoned hardcore honky tonk and Western swing — toward the beginning of the ’90s, his sound became a little slicker, but it was only a relative change. Strait was also one of the few ’80s superstars to survive the generational shift of the early ’90s that began with the phenomenal success of Brooks. In 1992, he made his first movie, Pure Country, which featured him in the lead role. Strait released a four-disc box set career retrospective, Strait Out of the Box, in 1995. By the spring of 1996, it had become one of the five biggest-selling box sets in successful material history. Blue Clear Sky, his 1996 album, debuted on the country charts at number one and the pop charts at number seven. In 1997, he issued Carrying Your Love with Me, not long after it with One Step at a Time in 1998. Always Never the Same appeared a year later, as did the seasonal effort Merry Christmas Wherever You Are. The simply titled George Strait, featuring the hit single “Go On,” hit the shelves in late 2000.

Did Strait slow down? Nay. The following year saw the release of The Road Less Traveled, which qualified as an experimental record of sorts for the veteran performer. during it didn’t stray very far from his new traditionalist country sound, Road did include a foray into vocal processing that was about as country as a twosome of stiletto-healed cowboy boots. But the experimentation was welcome, for it revealed that Strait was still hungry, even after millions upon millions of records sold. Strait issued two projects in 2003. For the Last Time: Live from the Astrodome chronicled his headlining set at the last Houston Livestock and Rodeo ever held in the big Texas dome, while Honkytonkville was a fiery set of hard country, lauded by critics for its mixture of the old Strait with his modern, superstar self. Somewhere Down in Texas arrived in 2005, followed by It Just Comes Natural in 2006 and Troubadour and the holiday album Classic Christmas in 2008. Twang, co-produced by Strait and Tony Brown, appeared in 2009.

George Strait Is Here For A Good Time with New Album

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George Strait Releases New Album! George Strait‘s latest album, Here For A Good Time, releases today, Tuesday, September 6th! This marks King George’s 39th album release, a staggering number! On this album is George’s most recent single (of the same title – “Here For A Good Time“) which marks his 89th single release, yet another staggering number! In addition to serving as co-producer with Tony Brown, Strait also co-wrote 7 of the 11 tracks featured on the new album with his son Bubba as well as other notable songwriters, Al Anderson, Chris Stapleton, Chuck Cannon, Allen Shamblin, Gary Nicholson, and Delbert McClinton. Be looking for a thorough review of Here for A Good Time later this week, and in the mean time make sure you take a listen! That way we can compare notes! Up next for George Strait, he will begin touring in early 2012 with special guest Martina McBride!!

George Strait Hits Collection

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King George Set To Release Icon! George Strait is set to release an album of 11 of his biggest hits on September 13. Icon will be sold at a special price and goes on sale a week after his new studio album, Here For A Good Time, debuts. Be looking for a review of the new album in the next few weeks! Track Listing 1. “Amarillo By Morning” (1983) 2. “Ocean Front Property” (1987) 3. “All My Ex’s Live In Texas” (1987) 4. “Love Without End, Amen” (1990) 5. “I Cross My Heart” (1992) 6. “Check Yes Or No” (1995) 7. “I Just Want To Dance With You” (1998) 8. “Living And Living Well” (2002) 9. “Give It Away” (2006) 10. “I Saw God Today” (2008) 11. “River Of Love” (2009)

George Strait Releases Here For A Good Time

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George Strait Released His Latest Single: Here For A Good Time! George Strait has released his 89th single to country radio! “Here For A Good Time” was written by Strait, his son Bubba Strait, and Dean Dillon and will be on his new album due out later this fall. The single has been named his second highest debut in his career, landing at 29 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. With 80 adds, it is the most added song to country radio this week! “I think this is the longest time, during my recording career, without anything new on the radio,” said Strait. “It’s good to be back and I want to thank country radio for their continued support. Have a great summer!” “King George” has been at it for over 30 years and has the most number one singles of any artist in history including Elvis! He never lets his fans down, staying true to his “Pure Country” sound. A Texas man, he makes everyone fall in love with his gentleman tendencies and likeable personality. He has no flash, his shows consist of him, a guitar, some wranglers, and his band, standing there keeping rhythm and singing to his devout fans. As always, we are happy to see him continue with his career and wish him a great summer as well!

George Strait Artist of The Decade

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Country Legend George Strait named the ACM Artist of the Decade for the 2000s. Making its cable premiere on GAC Sunday, June 27 at 9 p.m. Eastern is the tribute concert to George Strait,”George Strait – ACM Artist of the Decade.” The all-star concert features a special appearance by Garth Brooks and performances by Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Jamie Foxx, Faith Hill, Jack Ingram, Alan Jackson, Jamey Johnson, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Montgomery Gentry, John Rich, LeAnn Rimes, Blake Shelton, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and Lee Ann Womack.Country Music Photo Gallery

Country Music’s Top 25 Artists

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Billboard Magazine shares the top 25 country artists in their books! Billboard Magazine has released a list of the top 25 country music artists of the last 25 years, based on chart performance… so who’s on the list you ask?  Take a look! George Strait Garth Brooks Reba McEntire Alan Jackson Tim McGraw Randy Travis Toby Keith Kenny Chesney Alabama Brooks & Dunn Faith Hill Vince Gill Dixie Chicks Keith Urban Brad Paisley Rascal Flatts Hank Williams Jr. Clint Black Shania Twain The Judds Ricky Van Shelton Dwight Yoakam Martina McBride Travis Tritt LeAnn Rimes For an in-depth recap of how and why these great artists made the list, visit Billboard.com!Country Music Photo Gallery

George Strait & Reba postpone two shows due to weather

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George Strait and Reba McEntire have postponed shows in Virginia and Tennessee due to freezing conditions. George Strait, Reba McEntire, and Lee Ann Womack are taking the weekend off after forecasters announced oncoming snow storms and freezing conditions that would strongly affect both the attendance and safety of fans in both Knoxville, TN and Charlottesville, VA. The Knoxville show has been rescheduled for April 2nd at the Thompson Boling Arena. The Charlottesville concert will now take place April 3rd at the John Paul Jones Arena.Country Music Photo Gallery

George Strait & Reba McEntire 2010 Concert Tour!

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George Strait and Reba McEntire have announced that they will be touring TOGETHER in 2010! Bigger than Tim & Faith! Better than Taylor & Kellie! Stronger than Bocephus & Kid Rock! That’s right, country music’s king and queen are holding court in 2010! Just this morning the announcement was made that George Strait and Reba McEntire are touring TOGETHER in 2010!!! I can barely contain my own excitement! They have already scheduled the following stops on the tour, with more surely to come: Country Music Photo Gallery

George Strait enables $750,000 Endowment to ACM Lifting Lives

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The ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC announced on September 22nd that they are rewarding a $750,000 endowment to ACM LIFTING LIVES, made from monies raised from ticket sales for the “George Strait ACM Artist of the Decade All-Star Concert” taped in Las Vegas in April. ACM LIFTING LIVES is the philanthropic arm of the ACM, which works works to improve lives through music. ACM Artist of the Decade honoree GEORGE STRAIT participated in the sold-out taping at the MGM Grand Garden Arena along with artists Garth Brooks, Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Taylor Swift and many more. More than 10 million viewers tuned in to the special on CBS in MAY. ACM Exec. Dir. Bob Romeo said: “The artists who gave of their time in Aprilare the reason we can make this announcement today. They put their time and energy into the Artist of the Decade taping, and they asked for nothing in return. They showed up, they blew the doors off the house and the ratings through the roof, reaching millions of fans with the message of ACM Lifting Lives. ”Country Music Photo Gallery

George Strait – Twang

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George Strait is showin’ off his Twang! George Strait is already seeing the fan’s reaction to his upcoming album “Twang” as the hit single “Living for the night” steadily climbs the Billboard Country charts. Now see what he has to say about the making of the album , and about including songs that he helped to pen! Twang is George’s 38th album, and pure proof that he is solid, timeless, and truly a country music legend. “Living For The Night” marks the first time Strait has penned a song he has recorded since “I Can’t See Texas From Here” from his second album Strait From The Heart. Strait co-wrote two additional songs on TWANG – “He’s Got That Something Special” and “Out Of Sight Out Of Mind.” Bubba Strait is the sole writer on “Arkansas Dave.”Track Listing for TWANG: 1. Twang – Jim Lauderdale, Kendell Marvel and Jimmy Ritchey 2. Where Have I Been All My Life – Sherrie Austin, Will Nance and Steve Williams 3. I Gotta Get To You – Jim Lauderdale, Jimmy Ritchey and Blaine Larsen 4. Easy As You Go – Steve Bogard and Rick Giles 5. Living For The Night – George Strait, Bubba Strait and Dean Dillon 6. Same Kind Of Crazy – Delbert McClinton and Gary Nicholson 7. Out Of Sight Out Of Mind – George Strait and Bubba Strait 8. Arkansas Dave – Bubba Strait 9. The Breath You Take – Dean Dillon, Jessie Jo Dillon and Casey Beathard 10. He’s Got That Something Special – George Strait, Bubba Strait and Dean Dillon 11. Hot Grease And Zydeco – Gordon Bradberry and Tony Ramey 12. Beautiful Day For Goodbye – Doug Johnson and Pat Bunch 13. El Rey – Jose Alfredo Jimenez Overall the album packs quite a bit of classic Strait crooning, but then surprises you with songs like El Ray, sung entirely in spanish, and the title track “Twang” which is a true party song. Not to mention “Hot Grease and Zydeco”, which by the way, Zydeco is an evolved/ sidebranch of Louisianna French Creole blues, that makes you want to just get up and swing around the dance floor. In my opinion, this entire album will only add to the country troubadour’s long long record of well… hit records :-)Country Music Photo Gallery