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STRAIT News

» There are no concert dates as yet for this fall. We do know now that the schedule for next year's January to March tour is being worked on, with news on the Houston concert being released:

» GEORGE STRAIT RETURNS TO THE HOUSTON RODEO

Show Date March 17th, 2013

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo officials announced changes to the 2013 Show schedule today, with a surprising twist. The 2013 Show will be one day longer, running for 21 days — Monday, Feb. 25, through Sunday, March 17 — with a special concert-only performance on the final day by George Strait in Reliant Stadium at 7 p.m.

Strait’s performance will be a full-length concert, with opening performances by the Randy Rogers Band and Martina McBride. All carnival, shopping, livestock and horse show, food, and other exhibits throughout the grounds will be open on this day.

“George has had a lot of special moments in the 30 years since he first appeared at the Show,” said Leroy Shafer, chief operating officer of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. “I remember the day we flew him in as a replacement act an hour before his performance. He took the stage and quickly stole the hearts of our Rodeo fans. And, George has been here for all of the Show’s major milestones since that first performance in 1983. We are extremely excited that he is going to close our 2013 Show with this special concert.”

GEORGE STRAIT AND RODEO HOUSTON

In 1983, when scheduled Rodeo entertainer Eddie Rabbitt became ill, a newcomer on the music scene named George Strait filled in for him at the last minute, debuting to a crowd of 34,599 Rodeo fans. Since that first performance 30 years ago, Strait has become a household name among Houston country music fans. He has played to more than 1 million RODEOHOUSTON fans and was inducted into the Show’s Star Trail of Fame in 1996.

On March 3, 2002, Strait closed the Show with the last Rodeo concert in Reliant Astrodome, with a record attendance of 68,266 in the Astrodome, a record that will never be broken. In 2003, he opened the Show as the first performer in Reliant Stadium.

Strait is easily one of the most famous country music entertainers in the world and holds some of the highest titles and honors in the business. With the most number one, gold and platinum albums in all of country music, Strait is third to Elvis Presley and The Beatles for the most gold and platinum albums in the history of music. He is the seventh best-selling artist in American music and was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006. His string of number one hits now equals his age of 59.

» The 1-to-10 Country Music Review

Where Nashville Faces the Music, -- 07 May 2012

"Drinkin' Man," Songwriters: George Strait, Bubba Strait, Dean Dillon

Long story short: This is George Strait’s best single in years, and if it doesn’t at least crack the Top 20, I will be very unhappy.

Country music has a long history of drinking songs, though such have become less common in the antiseptic country radio climate of today. But when a country drinking song attempts to portray the destructive effects of alcohol addiction, it can be easy for it to come across as high-minded or superficially judgmental. (See Tim McGraw’s “Nothin’ to Die For”) Strait’s “Drinkin’ Man” avoids that problem entirely by giving voice to the affected man himself through vivid first-person narration that shows naked honesty and self-awareness. The lyric starkly portrays the feelings of guilt the man suffers, the consequences his habit reaps on his family and relationships, and the inner struggle he faces as his earnest desire to kick the habit collides with his deeply ingrained dependency. (“I look into the mirror, bottle in my hand/ I’d like to pour it out, but I just don’t think I can”) Likewise, the refrain “That’s a hell of a lot to ask of a drinkin’ man” captures the truth that no one can fully understand a struggling alcoholic’s plight except the affected individual himself. And it’s a Dean Dillon collaboration – Who’da guessed?

Over the course of his thirty year career, George Strait has pulled off the near-impossible task of remaining commercially relevant throughout decades of changing tastes and trends, yet doing so with remarkably few concessions in his sound and style. In the tradition of Strait’s very best work, “Drinkin’ Man” combines a straightforward, detailed, lyric with a tasteful production to create something universal and timeless.

It would be a sad thing indeed if the mainstream country format had deteriorated to the point that a career-best effort from George Strait could be ignored. But, regardless of whether it finds the audience it deserves, ”Drinkin’ Man” is a song that stands as a Jones-worthy classic, and a definite highlight in Strait’s long and storied career.

GEORGE’S SCORE: 10

» The third single from his album "Here For a Good Time" was released on April 30th, 2012, and is one of the songs written by George and Bubba Strait, and Dean Dillon. George has celebrated his 59th Number One Single while still being 59 years old! As his fans, let's go for 60 for 60! Call and request "Drinkin' Man."

» George has completed his tour, his 30th George Strait Team Roping Classic, and co-hosted the Lon Helton Country Countdown show. He talked about having a grandson, and what his plans are for the rest of the year. Mainly, being a grandfather!

For anyone who missed the George Strait interview with Lon Helton, most of the interview segments are available on the Country Countdown web site at http://countrycountdownusa.com/audio/

The George Strait segments are at the top of the page.

» George Harvey Strait III

Great news! Tamara and Bubba Strait have a new baby boy named George Harvey Strait III, born on February 2nd. Norma and George are thrilled to be grandparents.

At the recent George Strait Team Roping Classic Bubba could be seen carrying Harvey in his arms, smiling proudly. Dad George looked on, smiling just as proudly. Congratulations to the entire Strait family! Welcome to life, Harvey.

» George and his partner Tom Cusick have updated the Resort at Tapatio Springs in Boerne Texas - click on the link below this column for more information.

» This website is twenty years old in 2012!

Thank you for your support.