George Strait Information

Home > Concert Tickets > Artist Info > George Strait Info 

George Strait

George Strait Schedule George Strait Tickets

Fans will not read about George Strait in the headlines for raucous behavior or political statements. The tabloids find no story reporting on the breakups and make ups of George Strait because he and his wife have been together since the late ‘60s. But anyone who knows music knows George Strait. With his subtle style, this country superstar quietly did his own thing and in the process acquired more No. 1 songs than any other single artist in history. George Strait has sung 40 No. 1 Billboard country singles, and including the Radio and Records chart reached an unprecedented 52 No. 1 hit singles. Sales of more than 62 million records and more than 40 major industry awards give George Strait an elite position in the music world, rivaling the popularity of stars such as Elvis Presley, Barbara Streisand, The Beatles, and one of his own favorites, Frank Sinatra.

In the country world, George Strait is the poster child for the traditional country sound. In the ‘80s country began to take on a more pop- and rock-influenced sound, giving rise to a new breed of country stars. But George Strait stayed country. His fans stayed true and he even widened his fan base as a new type of country fan was exposed to his music. When asked who influenced his career, George Strait credits Merle Haggard, George Jones, and Bob Wills as the most important. Yet he has surpassed the accomplishments of his heroes, although he does not write his own songs as Merle Haggard did. George Strait scored his first No. 1 song in 1982 and he shows no sign of slowing down. "She Let Herself Go" reached No. 1 in January 2006, nearly 25 years later.

George Strait grew up in a small Texas town and spent his weekends on the family ranch. Born in 1952, he began to play music as a teenager, joining a rock and roll garage band. After high school George Strait dropped out of college, eloped, and joined the Army. George Strait started playing again with an Army-sponsored country band while he was stationed in Hawaii. When he returned to Texas in 1975 he enrolled in college and finished his degree in Agriculture. He also formed his own country band, Ace in the Hole. The band made a few records but didn't go far. While playing with the band at night, George Strait managed a cattle ranch during the day.

Erv Woolsey, a Texas club owner with connections at MCA Records helped George Strait get discovered. George Strait has stayed with MCA throughout his career. And when he became successful George Strait brought in The Ace in the Hole band as his touring band.

The first George Strait single, "Unwound," was released in the spring of 1981. It climbed into the Top Ten. George Strait landed his first No. 1 in 1982 with "Fool Hearted Memory." George Strait rarely abandoned hardcore honky tonk and Western swing. He recorded and toured regularly and kept producing hit after George Strait hit. In 1992, George Strait made his first movie, Pure Country, which featured him in the lead role. His 1995 Box set Strait Out of the Box became one of the five top selling box sets ever, ranking No. 2 by 2006.

By the late ‘90s George Strait headlined several multi-act stadium tours still drawing more fans than his younger tour mates Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, and the Dixie Chicks. George Strait also holds the career record for Country Music Association (CMA) nominations with 73. In 2003, George Strait was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. And in 2004, President George W. Bush awarded him the National Medal of the Arts.

Like many a country boy, George Strait enjoys roping, riding motorcycles, and fishing. George Strait married his high school sweetheart, Norma, shortly after high school. The couple gave birth to a daughter and a son. Unfortunately his daughter was killed in a motor vehicle accident in 1986. George Strait will not talk publicly about his daughter's death to this day. On a memorable day in 2003, his son competed in the Houston Livestock and Rodeo and then George Strait performed the final performance ever at the Houston Astrodome. The concert was recorded and released as the first live George Strait album, For The Last Time - Live >From The Astrodome.

George Strait continues to create music that speaks to his audience. The 2005 Album Somewhere Down in Texas offers a first for George Strait. Despite years in the industry, George Strait has done very few duets. "Good News Bad News" is his first ever duet with a female artist. George Strait performs the duet with Lee Ann Womack, who also co-wrote the song.