He is 'the real deal,' his voice is reassuring and warming. He has superlative stage presence, and a great ability to connect with his fans. Simply put it's not a simple thing, because it's the entire package . These are my words; my expression as best I can of my thoughts and feelings regarding a huge talent, and a kind human being, Mr. George Strait.
He's done it his way and walks the talk. George Strait knows who he is and is comfortable in his own skin. He has nothing to prove. What ego he has filters down to his slim hips from where it quietly resides in his witty subtle mind. When this man saunters on stage he owns it. A superb entertainer and a master vocalist George's warm baritone and relaxed phrasing so pleasing to the ear and reassuring to hear on radio continue to keep him at the top of the industry charts, and more importantly, deeply imbedded within his fan's hearts -- who sigh and clamor for more Strait any thing.
George continues to amaze me, and I expect that he always will. He made me extremely happy when on August 8, 2008 he released a music video for the title cut of his album "Troubadour." The video was made in Bulverde, in the hill country north of San Antonio Texas, directed by the same director who did my other favorite video "Seashores of Old Mexico."
I have to say that this song and the video for "Troubadour" are my number one favorites out of everything that he has recorded. Although there are songs from
"Twang" and " Here For A Good Time" that are heavy competition. He co-wrote seven of the ten songs on this CD! The first single released was "Here For a Good Time" which went to Number One on the charts, and so George received his first award as a writer! He wrote and recorded "I Will Always Remember You" for his fans. A tender personal acknowledgement and message to his fans that his fans took to heart. How many entertainers DO that! Personally I wish he had done a video for "Blue Marlin Blues." So great. "Twang," was released August 11, 2009. George completed a summer tour, which included four Texas dates, the very last one being in San Antonio where he walked on to a sell crowd and surpassed in own record in the Alamo Dome. He performed an amazing show, and in his encore brought on local mariachis to accompany him with "El Rey." There was a lot of love and emotion in that crowd, it was a wonderful performance. The Man is amazing, and is leaving a wonderful legacy. In 2012 he toured with Martina McBride for the " Here For a Good Time " album which was released September 5, 2011. George announced his retirement from the road. His final tour was the "Cowboy Rides Away" two year tour which ended June 7th, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. Go to that link for further updates. George released the "Love Is Everything" album May 14th. 2013. He sang several songs from that album during his "Cowboy Rides Away" tour. The CD/DVD for this concert was released September 16, 2014. The DVD has all but one song from the concert, and will satisfy Strait fans. It's a concert you will watch often, and enjoy more each time you watch it. "Cold Beer Conversation° was released September 25, 2015, NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Oct. 2, 2015) – Fans were ecstatic when George Strait announced that he would be heading to Sin City for an exclusive concert series at the Las Vegas Arena in 2016 and releasing his new album, Cold Beer Conversation, last week. The demand for new music from Strait translated to an immediate sellout of all six dates of his “Strait to Vegas” run after tickets went on sale today, with more dates to be added. The staggering response from fans already prompted Strait to add more shows. When George is not nominated in one of the award shows I remind others that Mr. Strait is now competing only against himself. He is beyond the usual awards, and has nothing to prove. He has only to do what he has been doing his entire career- be himself. In 2013 being himself earned him the ASCAP Founders Award, the Billboard Live Award, and his third CMA Entertainer of the Year award in three decades of making music. In 2014 George received the ACM Entertainer of the Year Award.
These pages are dedicated to the Man residing within the Artist of the Decade, Country Music Legend, King George Strait.
Little George, what a babydoll
1979, at 27, Graduating from Southwest Texas State with a degree in Agricultural Education. He was playing clubs at night with the Ace in the Hole Band , working full time as a ranch foreman in Martindale Texas, and finishing school George Strait, at 30, 1982, "The Fireman" was just beginning to create and fan the heartfires in female fans.
His friend Erv Woolsey helped get him a contract with MCA Records in 1981 - where he is still under contract. Life changed forever for George, and his family.
George and the Ace In The Hole Band had twenty seconds exposure on 1982's "The Soldier."
In 1992's " Pure Country " which was specifically written for George, he starred as Dusty Chandler, a Country Music Super Star who after confronting an overbearing female manager walks out on the bright lights, smoke, and fame to go back to his roots where he finds himself and regains his values. If you have not seen this movie I highly recommend it. George did a great job in the role and it is pure joy to watch him in this movie.
"Pure Country" not only has a wonderful soundtrack but it was a special gift for George's fans to be able to watch George on the big silver screen doing what he does exceedingly well. This was the first album that friend and producer Tony Brown helped George with. Tony is still co-producing albums with George.
George as Dusty in 1992's " Pure Country ." These are a few of my favorite pictures from the movie. He's got that intense determined look on his face that I have seen so often throughout the years, and just look at those eyes.
I decided to add some more PC pictures here since it was this movie and the award winning album that gave a punch to George's career in 1992. For fans like me who had been around for years it was suddenly harder to get concert tickets, and when you got there the audience was full of people from 5 years of age to 80, and they were all having a great time, and loving George!
Things have never slowed down either, there are still country music lovers out there who see Dusty in PC and go to their first Strait concert, getting roped in by the Texas Troubadour.
October 23, 2012 marked the 20th Anniversary of the release of Pure Country .
My view of George during the final filming of Pure Country at the Mirage in Las Vegas. This was when he would lean close to the camera and sing "I Cross My Heart" to Harley. They were filming her crying scene for the end of the movie. I can't help but think of the experience I had there, having George in front of me for so long, every time I hear that song. I won't go into what I went through in order to go to this filming. Suffice it to say that it was worth everything I did without. I know there was film on the cutting room floor, and a piece of it was probably partly my fault. I took advantage of an opportunity. With the light and camera on us instead of yelling 'Dusty!' like we had rehearsed, I looked up at him and yelled "I love you, George!" And that is all I am going to say about that.
Norma Strait; is the person who has been with him through it all, she is his anchor. George married Norma in 1971, a shy quiet girl he had grown up with in Pearsall whom he had known in high school. After George graduated they had their first date. After some time went by it hit George that he was "missing out on a good thing." He asked Norma out again, and soon they eloped to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico to get married. They repeated their vows for their families in church back in the states a few weeks later on December 4th, 1971.
"I do."
Norma has been the strength behind the man, and was the motivation encouraging George to try music one more time when he was ready to give it up for a steady job in order to support his family by designing cattle pens in Uvalde Texas. She has said that after George gave his band notice he was moping around the house, and was not himself. She couldn't bear to see him that way, and let him give up when he wanted a career in music so badly. She talked him into giving it one more year. Six months later, with Erv's help George had recorded "Unwound," and signed with MCA Records-Nashville for a recording contract. Norma is the first person George's fans have to thank for his career, his music, and the many moments of pleasure he has given us in concert. She continues to go to his concerts, and can be seen enjoying his music, always there for him when he walks off that stage.
At the Pure Country Premiere in Nashville, Oct. 1992
Dallas Reunion Arena, New Year's Eve, 1993, what an awesome way to bring in the New Year, it was great. Norma walked on stage with two glasses of champagne at two minutes to midnight. And yes, she got several kisses before he let her walk off the stage. He looked back at her as she was leaving, then quickly caught her and planted another kiss on her. My friend and I got a big grin when he heard us giggling at him, and cheering him on. Before he left the stage that night he came over and bowed to us, and waved good-bye. In 1981 with the support and help of his friend and long-time Manager Erv Woolsey , George received his chance with MCA Records-Nashville, and a few months later "Unwound" climbed up the charts to number six giving George a firm hold in Country Music that he has never lost. I remember I was washing my car in the driveway the first time I heard "Unwound." My boxer pups were playing around my feet, I leaned against the car and listened, and I was loving what I was hearing. That voice! - honest to God Country music! That was the start of my Strait fever, and that's my handle today.
George was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on November 6th, 2006. The Academy of Country Music recognized George as the Artist of the Decade , the day after the 2009 ACM Awards by taping a two hour tribute from his peers, a TV special, to be aired on CBS on May 27th, 2009. George still has the same people working for him, the same Manager , the same band members , the same studio musicians, and his biggest fans have grown older right along with him. All of this shows you clearly what kind of man George Strait is.
That's Bubba peeking over his Dad's shoulder. Mom is right behind him.
A Quarter Horse given to George by MCA
The Straits stepping out in style at the ACM Awards. George Strait Jr. (Bubba) was born on May 14th, 1981. The song "Love Without End" was written - and sung - with Bubba in mind. The photo, was taken by Norma.
Feb. 2012 Update: Bubba is now married, a songwriter, and a father of his own baby boy, a sixth generation Texan, George Harvey Strait III. You know that makes George Strait a Grandfather.
Bubba has developed his own "following" so I added a webpage for him. Website for Bubba Strait
The Jenifer Strait Memorial Foundation
All donations made during the "Cowboy Rides Away" 2013 and 2014 final tour were given to this Foundation to benefit children's charities in Jenifer's honor and memory.
Education: After a stint in the Army in Hawaii George graduated from Southwest Texas State University (now known as Texas State University), San Marcos, with a degree in agricultural education.
Influences: Country Music: Merle Haggard, Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys, Hank Williams, George Jones, and Conway Twitty. George also admired Frank Sinatra as a singer. His duet of "Fly Me To The Moon" with Mr. Sinatra can be found on George's record setting Strait Out of the Box, a box set of previously released, and unreleased songs.
Former jobs : Foreman, managed a cattle ranch in Martindale Texas from sunrise to sunset, played south Texas honky tonks at night. George was working with cattle in a pasture hearing "Unwound" being played on the radio in his Chevy pick-up. He said out loud "What is wrong with this picture!" He needed to tour.
Backup band: The great Ace in the Hole Band, formed in 1975, one of the best Western Swing Bands there is.
(See my Page for The Ace In The Hole Band - the link is always on my Main Page in the index file.)
Hobbies: Team-roping (though Roping is more of a daily life style for him rather than a hobby), George is a card-carrying member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, hunting elk, fishing for that record setting big-mouth bass, fly-fishing, deep sea fishing for blue marlin on his beautiful boat, downhill skiing, and golf, to name a few. He goes to NBA games to see his favorite team the San Antonio Spurs, and he enjoys football, with his favorite team being the Dallas Cowboys. He and Norma love to travel, and have been to Africa several times on Safari.
Annual event: The George Strait Team Roping Classic had been held in Kingsville, Texas annually since 1983. George, Bubba, and George's Brother, Buddy and his sons, Walker and Trey, competed each year at the event. It is a family affair, a gathering of friends, Rodeo Champions - the best ropers in the world - and of hardcore George Strait Fans who are a special breed.
In July 2000 the Roping was moved to The San Antonio Rose Palace and the concert was dropped in favor of concentrating on what has become one of the best Team Roping competitions there is. By dropping the concert it allowed George to concentrate on his roping, and as a fan I liked it better because it allowed me to concentrate on the roping, enjoy George's efforts, and not be concerned about the concert. I love watching George and Bubba ride and rope. The Team Ropers love the new site and George and family have done themselves proud.
In recent years George and Bubba have left the team roping competition to the professionals who do it for a living. George is the host, and presents the winners with their prizes.
The 35th GSTRC was in March, 2017. It was the final GSTRC, announced by George not long after the Roping. Please Note; DVDs of years of the George Strait Team Roping Classic are available for purchase from RodeoVideo.com
George heading, and Bret Beech heeling. (I'm in the crowd in back behind the HEB sign.)
The Strait Brothers, Buddy and George
Sadly, on April 10th, 2009 Buddy Strait passed on. His funeral and burial were private. The family asked for and received respect and privacy.
John Byron Strait Jr. "Buddy," was a good man, and will be deeply missed. Buddy was two years older then George, and was his only brother.
I always looked forward to seeing Buddy at the roping, watching him with his family and especially with his brother George. I had the opportunity a few times to tease him, and his response was that big smile and laugh. I will always remember Buddy with that smile. It was always wonderful at the end of the roping when he would turn and wave good-bye to us with that big smile on his face.
I've added some candid shots here, collected thru the years, so you can see more of "The Man."
In his Nashville office, working hard.
Champion Roper and good friend of George's -Roy Cooper and George. With the temptation of a racetrack in front of them they couldn't resist. They broke into a race during an opening parade at Ruidoso Downs Race Track in New Mexico. George won by a nose, Roy was laughing too hard to win.
Talking with a buddy at the team roping.
At the Dallas concert with Jimmy Buffett and Alan Jackson, 2004, George was real proud of his shirt, and of teasing the fans. Even fishing with a friend, somebody wants a picture.
Personality : He is a private man, a man of few words unless you get him talking about Africa or one of his favorite subjects. He is a cowboy at heart with a captivating smile and charm; known for quality over quantity, and down-to-earth values. He is a man of constants -- he's worked with the same people, and had the same friends for many, many years.
Along with his phenomenal success in life George has had his tragedies, hard times, and sad times like the rest of us. On June 4th, 2013 George and family lost Mr. John Byron Strait, after a lengthy hospital stay. His Dad was a huge influence on George. Faith, and the love and support of Norma, Bubba, and long time friends have helped him persevere.
A sense of humor -- you bet! Many thanks to Rick Henson for this picture, it's priceless.
Enjoying the San Antonio Spurs, and yes, Norma was at his side.
George in NYC for the 2005 CMAs . George teasing his fans with a bare foot while showing the premiere of his music video for "Seashores of Old Mexico at his George Strait Team Roping in March of 2006. I about fell down laughing at him.
George has said that he rarely picks up a guitar at home, except for ads like this one. Bubba changed that by becoming interested in playing guitar himself, and becoming a songwriter. His interest motivated George to start writing again. The results can be found on George's most recent albums.
George on Chorizo, another one of his favorite horses, and one of my favorites too.
George and his family live in South Texas not far from his birthplace, and own a big piece of South Texas brush country acreage where he has his main ranch breeding and raising Quarter Horses. They also have several other homes in chosen places, including one just north of San Antonio.
In 2011 George and his friend Tom bought a golf resort, the Resort at Tapatio Springs , and they have updated it and made it a beautiful resort. It officially re-opened on 11/11/11. Should you want to golf in Texas hill country where George golfs, Tapatio is located in Boerne Texas. The link is found at the bottom of this page. There is a hotel, and restaurant on the premises. Watch out for the deer, drive slow.
Tamara, Bubba, Harvey, George, Norma Strait, March 2014
The Strait reality here is that there is only one woman in George Strait's life - Norma. Norma has handled George's success very well, has business savy, and has been his constant motivator and supporter. She has been there beside him through the good times, and the bad. I have a lot of respect and admiration for the way she has handled both George's success and the constant desire from his fans for more of him. In George's words; "She takes good care of me, and I am spoiled." He deserves it, he has worked hard, lost and given up much in his lifetime. What counts is what he has done with his life, and how he has affected others.
This fan in particular appreciates and respects the Straits, and their private family life, and wishes them continued happiness, good health, and love in the years to come.
Norma and George celebrate their Wedding Anniversary in December.
Here are some of my favorite pictures of Norma and George
Enjoying the ACM "Artist of the Decade" award show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, April, 2009
One of my favorite pictures of George, from the Troubadour Video photo session.
Tom Cusick and George Strait Bubba and George
On April 10, 2009 George's big brother John Byron Strait, Jr, (Buddy) passed. The Strait patriarch, John Byron Strait, Sr., George's Dad, passed on June 4th, 2013.
George Strait completed his final (two year) structured tour June 7th, 2014 in Arlington, Texas at Cowboy's Stadium. For more information see "Cowboy Rides Away."
For information on George go to George's Facebook page, click on the Graphic:
The Official George Strait Website is at: http://www.georgestrait.com
This page has been on the web for a long time, if the pictures were not mine, I had permission to use them. If you copy pictures use them only for your private use, and leave the name on them. The contents of this page is covered by copyright .
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