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'''George Harvey Strait''' was born on May 18, 1952, in [[Poteet, Texas|Poteet]] in [[Atascosa County, Texas|Atascosa County]] south of [[San Antonio, Texas|San Antonio]], [[Texas]], to John Byron Strait, Sr. (born c. 1921 - died June 4, 2013),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ksat.com/news/george-straits-father-john-strait-dies-at-91/-/478452/20428616/-/byl4sbz/-/index.html|title=George Strait's father, John Strait, dies at 91; private funeral Thursday|publisher=[[KSAT]]|accessdate=June 5, 2013}}</ref> and the former Doris Couser. He grew up in [[Pearsall, Texas|Pearsall]] in [[Frio County, Texas|Frio County]], where his father was a junior high school mathematics teacher and the owner of a two-thousand acre (8&nbsp;km²) cattle ranch outside of [[Big Wells, Texas|Big Wells]], Texas. The family worked at the ranch on the weekends and in the summers. When George was in the fourth grade, his father and mother were divorced, and his mother moved away with his sister, Pency. George and his brother John, Jr. or "Buddy" (1950-2009), were reared by their father.<ref name="cmt">{{cite web|title=About George Strait |work=CMT |date= |url=http://www.cmt.com/artists/george-strait/biography/ |accessdate=December 19, 2012}}</ref>
'''George Harvey Strait''' was born on May 18, 1952, in [[Poteet, Texas|Poteet]] in [[Atascosa County, Texas|Atascosa County]] south of [[San Antonio, Texas|San Antonio]], [[Texas]], to John Byron Strait, Sr. (born c. 1921 - died June 4, 2013),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ksat.com/news/george-straits-father-john-strait-dies-at-91/-/478452/20428616/-/byl4sbz/-/index.html|title=George Strait's father, John Strait, dies at 91; private funeral Thursday|publisher=[[KSAT]]|accessdate=June 5, 2013}}</ref> and the former Doris Couser. He grew up in [[Pearsall, Texas|Pearsall]] in [[Frio County, Texas|Frio County]], where his father was a junior high school mathematics teacher and the owner of a two-thousand acre (8&nbsp;km²) cattle ranch outside of [[Big Wells, Texas|Big Wells]], Texas. The family worked at the ranch on the weekends and in the summers. When George was in the fourth grade, his father and mother were divorced, and his mother moved away with his sister, Pency. George and his brother John, Jr. or "Buddy" (1950-2009), were reared by their father.<ref name="cmt">{{cite web|title=About George Strait |work=CMT |date= |url=http://www.cmt.com/artists/george-strait/biography/ |accessdate=December 19, 2012}}</ref>


Strait began his musical interest while attending Pearsall High School, where he played in a [[rock and roll]] [[garage band]]. His musical preference soon turned to country with singers [[Hank Thompson (musician)|Hank Thompson]], [[Lefty Frizzell]], [[Merle Haggard]], [[George Jones]], [[Bob Wills]], [[Hank Williams]] and [[Frank Sinatra]] influencing his style. Strait did not tune to the country music radio often as a youth, usually listening to the news and the farmer's report. His introduction to country music came mostly by way of live performances, which, according to Strait, could be heard in every town in Texas.<ref name="interview">McCafferty, Dennis. [http://www.usaweekend.com/07_issues/070121/070121strait.html Strait talk], ''[[USA Weekend]]'', 2007-01-21.</ref> He eloped with his high school sweetheart, Norma. The couple initially married in [[Mexico]] on December 4, 1971. That same year, he enlisted in the [[United States Army]]. While stationed at [[Schofield Barracks]] in [[Hawaii]] as a part of the 25th Infantry division (light), Strait began performing with an Army-sponsored band, "Rambling Country", which played off-base under the name "Santee".<ref name="cmt"/> On October 6, 1972, while still in Hawaii, George and Norma had their first child, Jenifer.
Strait began his musical interest while attending Pearsall High School where he realized he was homosexual, where he played in a [[rock and roll]] [[garage band]]. His musical preference soon turned to country with singers [[Hank Thompson (musician)|Hank Thompson]], [[Lefty Frizzell]], [[Merle Haggard]], [[George Jones]], [[Bob Wills]], [[Hank Williams]] and [[Frank Sinatra]] influencing his style. Strait did not tune to the country music radio often as a youth, usually listening to the news and the farmer's report. His introduction to country music came mostly by way of live performances, which, according to Strait, could be heard in every town in Texas.<ref name="interview">McCafferty, Dennis. [http://www.usaweekend.com/07_issues/070121/070121strait.html Strait talk], ''[[USA Weekend]]'', 2007-01-21.</ref> He eloped with his high school sweetheart, Norma. The couple initially married in [[Mexico]] on December 4, 1971. That same year, he enlisted in the [[United States Army]]. While stationed at [[Schofield Barracks]] in [[Hawaii]] as a part of the 25th Infantry division (light), Strait began performing with an Army-sponsored band, "Rambling Country", which played off-base under the name "Santee".<ref name="cmt"/> On October 6, 1972, while still in Hawaii, George and Norma had their first child, Jenifer.


After Strait was honorably discharged from the Army in 1975, he enrolled at [[Southwest Texas State University]] in [[San Marcos, Texas|San Marcos]] and received a degree in Agriculture. During his college years, he joined the country band Stoney Ridge, answering a flyer the band posted around campus looking for a new vocalist. Strait renamed the group the [[Ace in the Hole Band]] and quickly became the lead, they began to perform at different honky tonks and bars around south and central Texas, traveling as far east as [[Huntsville, Texas|Huntsville]] and [[Houston, Texas|Houston]].<ref name="liner">{{Cite journal |last =Kingsley |first =Paul |title = George Strait |place=Liner Notes for ''Strait Out of the Box'' |publisher = MCA Records |year = 1995 |location =|url =}}</ref> They gained a regional following and opened for national acts such as [[The Texas Playboys]]. Soon, his band was given the opportunity to record several Strait-penned singles including "That Don't Change The Way I Feel About You",<ref>[http://www.nme.com/artists/george-strait George Strait biography], NME.com.</ref> for the Houston-based D label. However, the songs never achieved wide recognition, and Strait continued to manage his family cattle ranch during the day in order to make some extra cash.<ref name="liner"/><ref name="erlewine"/>
After Strait was honorably discharged from the Army in 1975, he enrolled at [[Southwest Texas State University]] in [[San Marcos, Texas|San Marcos]] and received a degree in Agriculture. During his college years, he joined the country band Stoney Ridge, answering a flyer the band posted around campus looking for a new vocalist. Strait renamed the group the [[Ace in the Hole Band]] and quickly became the lead, they began to perform at different honky tonks and bars around south and central Texas, traveling as far east as [[Huntsville, Texas|Huntsville]] and [[Houston, Texas|Houston]].<ref name="liner">{{Cite journal |last =Kingsley |first =Paul |title = George Strait |place=Liner Notes for ''Strait Out of the Box'' |publisher = MCA Records |year = 1995 |location =|url =}}</ref> They gained a regional following and opened for national acts such as [[The Texas Playboys]]. Soon, his band was given the opportunity to record several Strait-penned singles including "That Don't Change The Way I Feel About You",<ref>[http://www.nme.com/artists/george-strait George Strait biography], NME.com.</ref> for the Houston-based D label. However, the songs never achieved wide recognition, and Strait continued to manage his family cattle ranch during the day in order to make some extra cash.<ref name="liner"/><ref name="erlewine"/>

Revision as of 18:33, 6 September 2013

George Strait
Background information
Birth nameGeorge Harvey Strait
Born (1952-05-18) May 18, 1952 (age 71)
OriginPoteet, Atascosa County
Texas, USA
GenresCountry
Occupation(s)Singer, actor
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active1974 – present
LabelsMCA (MCA Nashville)
Websitewww.georgestrait.com

George Harvey Strait, Sr. (born May 18, 1952), is an American country music singer, actor, and music producer known as the "King of Country"[1] and called a living legend by some critics.[2] He is known for his neotraditionalist country style.

Strait rocketed to success after his first single "Unwound" was a hit in 1981. While contributing to the neo-traditional movement of the 1980s, he amassed seven number one albums in the decade with his most popular hits including "Fool Hearted Memory" and "Ocean Front Property". By the 1990s, Strait had influenced a new breed of performers while continuing his own successes, having charted upwards of 20 number-one hits including "Heartland" and "Blue Clear Sky". In the 2000s, Strait was named Artist of the Decade by the Academy of Country Music, was elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and won his first Grammy award for his hit album Troubadour. Strait continued his previous successes throughout the decade, producing a more contemporary sound with moderate cross-over hits including "She'll Leave You with a Smile" and "You'll Be There".

Strait was named CMA Entertainer of the Year in 1989 and 1990, and ACM Entertainer of the Year in 1990. He has been nominated for more CMA and ACM awards and has more wins in both categories than any other artist. In 2009, he broke Conway Twitty's previous record for the most number-one hits on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart when his 44 number one singles surpassed Twitty's 40.[3] Counting all music charts, Strait has amassed a total of 60 number-one hits, breaking a record also previously set by Twitty.[4]

Strait has sold more than 70 million albums in the United States and his certifications from the RIAA include 13 multi-platinum, 33 platinum, and 38 gold albums. His best-selling album is Pure Country (1992), which sold 6 million (6× platinum). His highest certified album is Strait Out of the Box (1995), which sold 2 million copies (8× Platinum due to being a box set with four CDs). According to the RIAA, Strait is the 12th best-selling album recording artist in the United States overall.

Early life

George Harvey Strait was born on May 18, 1952, in Poteet in Atascosa County south of San Antonio, Texas, to John Byron Strait, Sr. (born c. 1921 - died June 4, 2013),[5] and the former Doris Couser. He grew up in Pearsall in Frio County, where his father was a junior high school mathematics teacher and the owner of a two-thousand acre (8 km²) cattle ranch outside of Big Wells, Texas. The family worked at the ranch on the weekends and in the summers. When George was in the fourth grade, his father and mother were divorced, and his mother moved away with his sister, Pency. George and his brother John, Jr. or "Buddy" (1950-2009), were reared by their father.[6]

Strait began his musical interest while attending Pearsall High School where he realized he was homosexual, where he played in a rock and roll garage band. His musical preference soon turned to country with singers Hank Thompson, Lefty Frizzell, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Bob Wills, Hank Williams and Frank Sinatra influencing his style. Strait did not tune to the country music radio often as a youth, usually listening to the news and the farmer's report. His introduction to country music came mostly by way of live performances, which, according to Strait, could be heard in every town in Texas.[7] He eloped with his high school sweetheart, Norma. The couple initially married in Mexico on December 4, 1971. That same year, he enlisted in the United States Army. While stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii as a part of the 25th Infantry division (light), Strait began performing with an Army-sponsored band, "Rambling Country", which played off-base under the name "Santee".[6] On October 6, 1972, while still in Hawaii, George and Norma had their first child, Jenifer.

After Strait was honorably discharged from the Army in 1975, he enrolled at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos and received a degree in Agriculture. During his college years, he joined the country band Stoney Ridge, answering a flyer the band posted around campus looking for a new vocalist. Strait renamed the group the Ace in the Hole Band and quickly became the lead, they began to perform at different honky tonks and bars around south and central Texas, traveling as far east as Huntsville and Houston.[8] They gained a regional following and opened for national acts such as The Texas Playboys. Soon, his band was given the opportunity to record several Strait-penned singles including "That Don't Change The Way I Feel About You",[9] for the Houston-based D label. However, the songs never achieved wide recognition, and Strait continued to manage his family cattle ranch during the day in order to make some extra cash.[8][10]

While he continued to play with his band without any real connections to the music industry, Strait became friends with Erv Woolsey, who operated one of the bars in which the Ace in the Hole band played, and who had previously worked for the major label MCA Records. Woolsey convinced some of his Music Row connections to come to Texas and to listen to Strait and his band play. Impressed with the performance, MCA quickly signed Strait to a recording contract in February 1981.[11] The Ace in the Hole remained with Strait, performing as the backup and touring band for the now solo act.[10]

Music career

1980s

In the spring of 1981, Strait released his first single for MCA Records, entitled "Unwound", which climbed into the top ten of the Hot Country Songs chart that year, and was included on his debut album Strait Country. The record featured two more singles including "Down and Out", a No. 16 hit for Strait, and "If You're Thinking You Want a Stranger (There's One Coming Home)", which reached number three early in 1982, sparking a string of Top Ten hits that ran well into the 1990s.[12] Strait Country was hailed by critics as a traditionalist breakthrough that broke the trend of pop-influenced country prevalent at the time.[13] The year 1982 also saw the release of Strait's second album, the critically acclaimed Strait from the Heart, which featured the first number one single of his career, "Fool Hearted Memory", and the top five "Amarillo by Morning", regarded by many as one of the greatest country songs of all-time.[14][15] In 1983, Strait made his first appearance at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo when the headlining star, Eddie Rabbitt, came down sick with the flu. Strait has since become a mainstay throughout his career, making more than twenty appearances at the Rodeo, and playing to a total of more than one million fans. Strait recorded 17 subsequent No. 1's in the decade, including a string of five that lasted from 1983–84[16] from his next two albums Right or Wrong, his first number one album and the CMA award-winning Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind. The next year, he won the CMA award for top male vocalist, and released his first Greatest hits compilation, which featured songs from his first three albums. Also in 1985, Strait released Something Special, the third straight number-one album of his career, featuring the number-one single "The Chair".[17] In 1986, Strait repeated as the CMA vocalist of the year and released his fourth No. 1 album #7. Strait and his family were struck with tragedy when his 13-year-old daughter, Jenifer, was killed in a one-car non-alcohol-related accident. She was riding in a Ford Mustang driven by Gregory Wilson Allen, 18, of Staples, Texas. He was subsequently charged with a Class A misdemeanor for vehicular homicide. Mike Cox, spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin, said "The responding trooper determined the cause of accident to be excessive speed and that the car did not negotiate the turn properly. Jenifer was riding in the front passengers seat and none of the four occupants were wearing seat belts at the time.[18] When the vehicle flipped over onto its passenger's side, Jenifer was partially ejected, causing her to be dead upon impact. The incident did not hinder Strait's performance, as he went on to release 11 straight No. 1 hits, starting with "Nobody in His Right Mind Would've Left Her" in 1986 and ending with "Ace in the Hole" in 1989.[16] The singles spanned four albums, including #7, Ocean Front Property in 1987, If You Ain't Lovin' You Ain't Livin' in 1988 and 1989's Beyond the Blue Neon, all of which reached the number one spot on country album charts. Ocean Front Property was the first country album to ever debut at No. 1 on the charts by any artist. The streak included such songs as "Ocean Front Property", "All My Ex's Live in Texas", "Famous Last Words of a Fool" and "Baby Blue", which is rumored to have been dedicated to his daughter.[19] Strait finished the decade by winning the CMA entertainer of the year award in 1989. A year later, he won the award again.[12]

1990s

Strait began the decade with the release of his tenth studio album, Livin' It Up, which featured two No. 1 hits including "Love Without End, Amen", his first multi-week hit, and "I've Come to Expect It From You". Both songs remained No. 1 for five weeks in 1990. Chill of an Early Fall shortly followed in 1991, and received positive reviews. Entertainment Weekly noted that the album marked a shift for Strait from "repeating himself" in his previous works to producing different material.[20] It produced the No. 1's "If I Know Me" and "You Know Me Better Than That", but ended his streak of 31 straight top ten hits with the cover of "Lovesick Blues", which peaked at No. 24.[16] The record blocked his run of eight top charting albums with its peak of No. 4. In the spring of 1992, Holding My Own was released. It did not produce any No. 1s but did include two top five songs including "So Much Like My Dad". Later in 1992, Strait played the main character in the movie Pure Country, and released the film's soundtrack. It was his most successful studio album, producing such hits as "Heartland," "I Cross My Heart" and "When Did You Stop Loving Me", and peaked at No. 1 and No. 6 respectively on the country and Billboard 200 album charts. The success continued with his next album, Easy Come, Easy Go in 1993, which reached the top five on the Billboard 200 and featured the hits "I'd Like to Have That One Back", "The Man in Love with You", and the No. 1 title track. His next four albums—including Lead On in 1994, Blue Clear Sky in 1996, Carrying Your Love with Me in 1997 and 1998's One Step at a Time—all charted at No. 1, with Blue Clear Sky claiming the spot on its debut week, and Carrying Your Love with Me peaking at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for the first time in Strait's career. This series of albums produced eight number one singles for Strait, including "You Can't Make a Heart Love Somebody" "Carried Away", "One Night at a Time", and "I Just Want to Dance with You".[12] During this period, Strait also released a four-disc box set career retrospective, Strait Out of the Box in 1995, which became the second best selling box set ever with shipments of 8 million in the United States. He also was named as the CMA's Top Male Vocalist in 1997 and 1998.[10] Starting in '97, and continuing until the first year of the 21st century, Strait headlined the George Strait Country Music Festival, which included artists such has Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson and others. In an effort to introduce these acts to as many fans as possible, the festival promised not to visit any market more than twice. It played only a small number of dates, usually no more than twenty a year, but still managed to be the ninth biggest-grossing tour of 1998. In 2009 the George Strait Country Music Festival was voted the most important tour in the history of country music and the best selling country music tour in the 90s .[21]

Strait completed the decade with the album Always Never the Same in 1999, which peaked at No. 2 on country charts and matched the cross-over success of Pure Country by reaching No. 6 on the Billboard 200. The record produced the hits "What Do You Say to That", "Meanwhile" and the No. 1 "Write This Down". Reviews of the album's material were generally moderate, but Entertainment Weekly observed that at this point in his career, Strait could record the "most lightweight" material and "make it soar" on the radio with his "grace".[22] All in all, Strait scored 17 No. 1 hits on the Billboard country airplay charts in the decade, and carried his successes into the next century.[23]

2000 – present

George Strait on The Cowboy Rides Away Tour, XL Center, Hartford, Connecticut, February 23, 2013

Strait released a self-named album in 2000, which despite a No. 1 and No. 7 showing on the country and Billboard 200 album charts, produced no No. 1 singles, and was the first studio album of his career to not be certified as platinum. The singles "Go On" and "If You Can Do Anything Else" were released from the record, with both peaking in the top five. In May 2001, The Road Less Traveled was released. Reviews for the album were mostly positive, Rolling Stone described it as sticking to the formula "but adds a few twists that make it superior to his last few releases."[24] It featured "vocal processing," and was considered by some critics as an experimental album.[10] Three singles were released from it, two of which reached No. 1, including "She'll Leave You with a Smile", his 50th on combined charts and "Living and Living Well", both of which reached the top 30 of Billboard Hot 100, with the former peaking at No. 23, Strait's highest rank on the chart. The single "Run" peaked at No. 2 and reached No. 34 on the Billboard 100. Strait released two records in 2003. For the Last Time: Live from the Astrodome was a recording of the last Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to take place in the Astrodome. The performance itself, set the record for paid attendance at the venue, with 68,266 people, breaking Latin superstar Selena's previous record of approximately 67,000 in 1995. His next album, Honkytonkville was described as "a fiery set of hard country", and was praised "for its mixture of the old Strait with his modern, superstar self."[10] It didn't produce any No. 1's for Strait but included the hits "Cowboys Like Us" and a cover of Bruce Robison's "Desperately". His 2004 performance at Reliant Stadium set a new Rodeo attendance record, with 68,679 spectators. That year he issued a Greatest Hits package billed as 50 Number Ones, chronicalling the No. 1 hits of his career from all charts, starting with "Fool Hearted Memory" and ending with "She'll Leave You With a Smile." The next year, Somewhere Down in Texas arrived, which produced the hit "You'll Be There," marking Strait's first appearance on the Adult Contemporary chart. The next year, he embarked on a tour that included only 18 performances but grossed over $15 million. He attributed this success to the fact that he and his band are "musically very tight," have a large pool of songs to draw from, and perform those songs very similarly to how they sound on their albums.[25]

George Strait on The Cowboy Rides Away Tour, XL Center, Hartford, Connecticut, February 23, 2013

On October 3, 2006, Strait marked his 30th year in the music industry with the release of a new album titled It Just Comes Natural. It featured fifteen new songs. Strait's long-time friend and songwriter, Dean Dillon co-wrote two of the songs on the album. It received generally positive reviews from critics. People, in their four-star review, remarked that "If ever there was a natural in country music, it's Strait," while USA Today raved that "he continues to make such consistent quality look easy."[26] The first single from the album, "Give It Away" reached No. 1 and the title track, "It Just Comes Natural" became his 42nd Billboard No. 1. In 2007, "Wrapped" reached No. 1 on the Mediabase 24/7 country music charts, giving Strait his 55th overall number-one single. From January through April of that year, Strait headlined a twenty-three date arena tour with country music legend Ronnie Milsap and newcomer Taylor Swift. He released a new album titled Troubadour on April 1, 2008. The CD contained 12 tracks, including a duet with Patty Loveless and another with long-time songwriter Dean Dillon. The lead single from the album, "I Saw God Today", debuted at No. 19 on the Radio and Records and Billboard charts. It is the highest debut ever for a single from Strait and the fourth highest debut for a song in country music history. Troubadour debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 album charts, selling over 160,000 copies in its first week of release. "River of Love" the 3rd single from the album became his 57th number-one song in 2009.[27]

George Strait on The Cowboy Rides Away Tour, XL Center, Hartford, Connecticut, February 23, 2013

In April 2009, George Strait was honored by the Academy of Country Music with the Artist of the Decade Award. The artist of the decade award was presented to George Strait by the previous ACM Artist of the Decade Garth Brooks. In June of that year he headlined the first event at the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Strait's single, "Living for the Night" was released on May 28, 2009, and was written by Strait, his son Bubba, and Dean Dillon. The song was the lead single from his album Twang, released on August 11, 2009. Twang has been certified gold status, for selling over 500,000 copies. In 2010, Billboard ranked Strait No. 1 in the top 25 country artists of the past 25 years.[28] Never one to rest, Strait's newest album, Here for a Good Time, was released on September 6, 2011. It has yielded two No. 1 singles (the title track and "Love's Gonna Make It Alright") bringing Strait's No. 1 singles total to 59. Its third single, "Drinkin' Man" was far less successful, however, as it only reached No. 37, making it Strait's lowest-charting single to date.

On September 26, 2012, Strait announced that he is retiring from touring, and that The Cowboy Rides Away Tour will be his last.[29][30][31] The tour consists of two legs: the first leg will include 21 concerts in 2013 with Martina McBride as the opening performer; the second leg will include 20 concerts in 2014.[29] Strait will perform with his long-time touring band, the Ace in the Hole Band.

Strait released a new single in October 2012 titled "Give It All We Got Tonight".[32] Included on his album Love Is Everything, the song initiated a "60 for 60" movement by Strait's label, to make the song his sixtieth number-one single on all country charts while he was still 60 years old.[33] The song reached the top of the Mediabase charts in May 2013.

Personal life

Strait at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo in 2005

In 1981, Strait and Norma had son George Strait, Jr., known as "Bubba." Their daughter Jenifer was killed in an automobile accident in San Marcos on June 25, 1986, at the age of thirteen. The family set up the Jenifer Lynn Strait Foundation, which donates money to children's charities in the San Antonio area.[34] Bubba, who is a graduate of Texas A&M in College Station, is pursuing a career as a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) team roping competitor.[35] Strait was able to watch his son compete at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in 2006 shortly before taking the stage for his own performance.

Strait enjoys hunting, fishing, skiing, playing golf, and riding motorcycles. Along with his son, he is a member of the PRCA and partners in team roping competitions. George and his elder brother, known as Buddy hosted the annual George Strait Team Roping Classic, in which they competed against some of the best team ropers in the world. Strait has also said that he very seldom picks up a guitar when not in the studio or touring. He and his wife live in far northwest San Antonio in the wealthy gated community, The Dominion, as well as on a ranch near Cotulla in La Salle County between San Antonio and Laredo. Strait is a fan of the NBA's San Antonio Spurs and can be seen court-side at many of the Spurs' home basketball games.

Since 2010, Strait has served as spokesman for the Wrangler National Patriot program, a campaign designed to raise awareness and funds for America's wounded and fallen military veterans and their families.[36][37] Strait states, "I've been a part of the Wrangler family for a long time... when they came to me with the idea for supporting fallen and wounded American veterans and their families, I knew I wanted to get involved."[37] In February 2012, Strait became a grandfather, as his son George Strait, Jr., and his wife, Tamara, had their first child, a son. According to reports, the infant was named George H. Strait, III, as a tribute to his famous grandfather.[38]

George Strait owns a Bombardier Challenger 300 jet, MSN 20132 and carries a personal registraton N518GS.[39]

Strait was reared in the Baptist Church. He is a Republican but does not discuss political issues in public.[40]

Discography

Main articles: George Strait albums discography and George Strait singles discography
George Strait on The Cowboy Rides Away Tour, XL Center, Hartford, Connecticut, February 23, 2013

In more than 30 years of recording, all of which have been spent with MCA Records, George Strait has garnered 60 No. 1 songs on all country charts (including Mediabase 24/7, the former Radio & Records chart, and the now-defunct Gavin Report chart), and has more No. 1 hits than any other artist in any genre. His 44 Billboard magazine country No. 1's are a record, four more than Conway Twitty's total that includes several duets with Loretta Lynn.[25] Additionally, Strait is also the first artist in the history of Billboard magazine to have at least one single enter the Top 10 of a Billboard chart for 30 consecutive years, starting in 1981 when his debut single "Unwound" peaked at No. 6 on the Hot Country Singles chart. All of his Top 10 singles have been on that chart.[41] Strait has sold more than 68 million albums in the United States[42] and his certifications from the RIAA include 13 multi-platinum, 33 platinum, and 38 gold albums.[43]

Filmography

Strait has acted in several films. He had a bit part in The Soldier (1982) and starred in Pure Country (1992). He also appeared as himself in Grand Champion (2002).

The film Pure Country featured George Strait in the lead role as Dusty Chandler, a famous country singer who strays too far from his country roots and traditional sound. It provided the opportunity for Strait to branch out from his own traditional country sound for a more rock-and-roll approach. The film saw little success at the box office, taking in only $15 million, but the soundtrack, also called Pure Country, produced several hit singles for Strait, and has become his best-selling album to date. Strait had a limited role in the sequel to Pure Country, Pure Country 2: The Gift.[44]

Year Title Role
1982 The Soldier Himself
1992 Pure Country Dusty Wyatt Chandler
1998 The Horse Whisperer Soundtrack only
2002 Grand Champion Himself
2003 King of the Hill Voice of Cornell
2011 Pure Country 2: The Gift Himself

Awards

George Strait Country Music Hall of Fame plaque

Strait holds the record for most number one albums, gold albums, platinum albums, and multi-platinum in the history of country music, and is eleventh in the most number one albums in all other genres. Strait is third only to Elvis Presley and The Beatles with the most gold and platinum albums in the history of music and currently is two away from passing them.[45] Strait has been certified as the twelfth best selling artist in American history, with career album sales of 68.5 million.[46]

Strait has recorded the most number one songs and top five songs in the history of music of any kind, and is the only artist in the history of music to have a top ten hit every year for thirty years. He is also second all-time in top ten hits in the history of music, currently 8 away from breaking the all time record held by Eddy Arnold who had 92 in his historic career. Strait has also won 22 CMA Awards, including consecutive Entertainer of the Year honors in 1989 and 1990, and holds the career record for CMA nominations. As of 2008 he holds the record for the most CMA awards. Strait also holds those same records for wins and nominations for the ACM Awards. Strait was elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006, performing his then-latest No. 1 hit "Give it Away" right before accepting his replica Hall of Fame plaque at the 40th CMA Awards. He was only the second artist (after Eddy Arnold in 1966) to be inducted into the Hall of Fame while still actively recording and producing chart-topping hits and albums.

As of June 8, 2010, George Strait was named the top country music artist of the past 25 years according to Billboard magazine. In October 2008, the Academy of Country Music Awards named Strait their Artist of the Decade for the 2000s. He was presented the award by the previous winner Garth Brooks. Past winners of the award are Marty Robbins (1960s), Loretta Lynn (1970s), Alabama (1980s) and Garth Brooks (1990s).[47]

On June 1, 2013, Strait appeared in The Alamodome before seventy thousand fans in the last concert of the first half of his two-year farewell tour. Governor Rick Perry, who was in attendance with First Lady Anita Thigpen Perry, announced that henceforth May 18, Strait's birthday, would be "George Strait Day" in Texas.[48]


Year Awards Award
2013 Country Radio Broadcasters Inc. Country Radio Broadcasters Career Achievement Award
2011 Academy of Country Music Artist of the Decade
2010 Billboard Music Award Top Country Artist of the Past 25 Years
2009 Academy of Country Music Artist of the Decade
2009 Grammy Awards Best Country Album – Troubadour
2008 Country Music Association Album of the Year – Troubadour
2008 Country Music Association Single of the Year – "I Saw God Today"
2007 Country Music Association Album of the Year – It Just Comes Natural (Two Trophies: Artist, and Producer)
2007 Country Music Association Song of the Year - "Give It Away" (Awarded to Songwriter Jamey Johnson)
2006 Country Music Hall of Fame Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame
2006 Honorary Doctoral Degree Doctor of Humane Letters presented by Texas State University–San Marcos
2005 Country Music Association Musical Event of the Year – "Good News, Bad News" (with Lee Ann Womack)
2003 Special Award National Medal of Arts
2003 Academy of Country Music Special Achievement Award (in recognition of 50 No. 1 Songs)
2003 CMT 40 Greatest Men of Country Music Ranked No. 9
2002 Country Weekly Favorite Collaborative Song – "Designated Drinker" (with Alan Jackson)
2001 Country Music Association Song of the Year – "Murder On Music Row" (Awarded to Songwriters)
2000 Country Music Association Vocal Event of the Year – "Murder On Music Row" (with Alan Jackson)
2000 Country Weekly / TNN/CMT Music Awards Album of the Year – Always Never The Same
2000 Country Weekly / TNN/CMT Music Awards    Entertainer of the Year
2000 Country Weekly / TNN/CMT Music Awards Male Artist of the Year
2000 Country Weekly / TNN/CMT Music Awards Single of the Year – "Write This Down"
2000 Country Weekly / TNN/CMT Music Awards Impact Artist of the Year
1999 Country Weekly / TNN/CMT Music Awards Album of the Year – One Step at a Time
1999 Country Weekly Golden Pick Awards Favorite Enteratiner
1999 Country Weekly Golden Pick Awards Favorite Male Artist
1999 Country Weekly Golden Pick Awards Favorite Video Entertainer
1999 Country Weekly Golden Pick Awards Favorite Line Dance Song – "I Just Want To Dance With You"
1999 Country Weekly Golden Pick Awards Favorite Song – "I Just Want To Dance With You"
1998 Radio & Records Best Male Vocalist
1998 American Music Awards Favorite Country Album – Carrying Your Love With Me
1998 American Music Awards Favorite Country Male Artist
1998 Country Music Association Male Vocalist of the Year
1996 Billboard Most Played Artist (All Genres of Music)
1997 Radio & Records Best Male Vocalist
1997 Radio & Records Best Album – Blue Clear Sky
1997 Academy of Country Music Album of the Year – Carrying Your Love With Me
1997 Academy of Country Music Top Male Vocalist
1997 American Music Awards Favorite Country Album – Blue Clear Sky
1997 Country Music Association Album of the Year – Carrying Your Love With Me
1997 Country Music Association Male Vocalist of the Year
1997 TNN/Music City News Album of the Year – Blue Clear Sky
1996 Billboard Top Country Artist
1996 Radio & Records Most Valuable Performer
1996 Radio & Records Best Male Vocalist
1996 Radio & Records Best Single – "Check Yes or No"
1996 Academy of Country Music Album of the Year – Blue Clear Sky
1996 Academy of Country Music Top Male Vocalist
1996 Country Music Association Male Vocalist of the Year
1996 Country Music Association Album of the Year – Blue Clear Sky
1996 Country Music Association Single of the Year – "Check Yes or No"
1996 Music City News Country Single of the Year – "Check Yes or No"
1996 TNN/Music City News Album of the Year – Lead On
1996 TNN/Music City News Single of the Year – "Check Yes or No"
1996 TNN/Music City News Video of the Year – "Check Yes Or No"
1995 ASCAP Voice Of Music Award
1995 Academy of Country Music Single of the Year – "Check Yes Or No"
1993 ACM Tex Ritter Movie Of The Year – Pure Country
1991 American Music Awards Favorite Country Male Artist
1990 Radio & Records Country Performer Of The Year
1990 Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year
1989 Special Presidential American Success Award
1989 Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year
1989 Special Connie B. Gay Award
1989 Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year
1988 Academy of Country Music Top Male Vocalist
1987 Billboard Top Country Artist
1986 Billboard Top Country Artist
1986 Country Music Association Male Vocalist of the Year
1986 Music City News Country Male Artist of the Year
1985 Academy of Country Music Album of the Year – Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind
1985 Academy of Country Music Top Male Vocalist
1985 Country Music Association Album of the Year – Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind
1985 Country Music Association Male Vocalist of the Year
1984 Academy of Country Music Top Male Vocalist

See also

Template:Wikipedia books

References

Citations
  1. ^ Villalva, Brittney R. (September 27, 2012). "George Strait Farewell Tour Announced". The Christian Post. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  2. ^ Bego, Mark (2001). George Strait: The Story of Country's Living Legend. New York: Citadel Press. ISBN 978-0806522586.
  3. ^ Trust, Gary (2009-12-29). "Best of 2009 by the Numbers". Billboard. Retrieved 8 January 2010.
  4. ^ "George Strait Earns 60th No. 1 Hit « Radio.com News". News.radio.com. 2013-05-21. Retrieved 2013-06-17.
  5. ^ "George Strait's father, John Strait, dies at 91; private funeral Thursday". KSAT. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  6. ^ a b "About George Strait". CMT. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  7. ^ McCafferty, Dennis. Strait talk, USA Weekend, 2007-01-21.
  8. ^ a b Kingsley, Paul (1995). "George Strait". Liner Notes for Strait Out of the Box: MCA Records. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. ^ George Strait biography, NME.com.
  10. ^ a b c d e Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (2006). "George Strait Bio". Allmusic. Archived from the original on 2006-11-11. Retrieved 2007-03-15. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  11. ^ Billboard, September 26, 1981
  12. ^ a b c George Strait biography at Allmusic (retrieved March 22, 2008)
  13. ^ Erlewine, Stephen. Strait Country, Allmusic.
  14. ^ "'New York' tops place songs" - Development Counselors International - USA Today - 9/15/2003
  15. ^ Countdown: The Greatest: 100 Greatest Songs - Show 1 (songs 100-76) - CMT.com
  16. ^ a b c GEORGE STRAIT SINGLES, LP Discography.
  17. ^ Erlewine, Stephen. Something Special, Allmusic.
  18. ^ Chris Hawkes. "George Strait's Daughter". Noobpost.com. Retrieved 2012-11-20.
  19. ^ Baby Blue by George Strait, Song Facts.
  20. ^ Nash, Alanna. Chill of an Early Fall, Entertainment Weekly, 1991.
  21. ^ Tafoya, Richard (May 12, 1999). "George Strait Festival To Phase Out Return Engagements". LiveDaily. Retrieved 2007-03-15. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  22. ^ Nash, Alanna.Always Never the Same, Entertainment Weekly.
  23. ^ George Strait biography at CMT.com
  24. ^ Dresdale, Andrea The Road Less Traveled, Rolling Stone, 2001-11-06.
  25. ^ a b Stark, Phyllis (February 26, 2006). "Being George Strait". American Chronicle. Retrieved 2007-03-15. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  26. ^ "George Strait's New Tour". Nashville Hype!. November 2, 2006. Archived from the original on 2006-11-27. Retrieved 2007-03-15. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  27. ^ Morris, Edward (May 15, 2009). "Rollin' on the River: BMI Salutes Writers of George Strait's "River of Love"". CMT. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  28. ^ "George Strait Tops Billboard's List of Top 25 Country Artists of the Past 25 Years". Billboard. 2009-09-14. Retrieved 2012-11-20.
  29. ^ a b "The Cowboy Rides Away Tour which is said to have Martina McBride open for 20 shows". Retrieved 2012-09-246. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  30. ^ Skates, Sarah (September 26, 2012). "George Strait Announces Final Tour". MusicRow. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  31. ^ "George Strait Tour - 2013 and 2014 George Strait Concert Tour Dates". Georgestraittourdates.com. Retrieved 2013-05-14.
  32. ^ "George Strait". George Strait. Retrieved 2012-11-20.
  33. ^ Posted Mar 15th 2013 3:45PM by Gayle Thompson Comments (2013-03-15). "George Strait '60 for 60' Movement Asks Fans to 'Give It All We Got'". The Boot. Retrieved 2013-06-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  34. ^ "Jenifer Strait". RachelJoyScott.net. Retrieved 2007-03-15. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  35. ^ "Strait Heir". Retrieved 2012-09-246. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  36. ^ [1][dead link]
  37. ^ a b "George Strait Remembers Fellow Veterans". 2011-11-02. Retrieved 2011-11-13.
  38. ^ Garner, Blair (February 8, 2012). "George Strait is a grandfather". After Midnight. Retrieved February 10, 2012. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  39. ^ "George Strait's CL30 visits Shannon". flightglobal.com. July 10, 2012. Retrieved October 28, 2009.
  40. ^ "The religion and political views of the influentials: George Strait". hollowverse.com. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  41. ^ "George Strait First to Achieve 30 Consecutive Years of Top 10 Hits. he also is second all time in top ten hits in the history of music currently 8 away from breaking the all time lead eddy arnold who had 92 in his historic caerer". CMT News. 2010-04-14. Retrieved 2010-05-23.
  42. ^ "Top Selling Artists (only with the albums)". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2012-11-20.
  43. ^ "Top Awarded Artists". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2012-11-20.
  44. ^ CMT News. "George Strait Will Have Limited Role in New Film, A Pure Country Gift". MTV Networks. Retrieved 2010-03-15.
  45. ^ Betts, Stephen L. (June 4, 2009). "George Strait Catching Up to Beatles, Elvis". The Boot. Retrieved November 2, 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  46. ^ "George Strait Sets Billboard Record". Gather. April 14, 2010. Retrieved November 2, 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  47. ^ "Meet George Strait: Awards". George Strait. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  48. ^ "Hector Saldaña, "On farewell tour, superstar George Strait in harmony with hometown fans: Country legend wows packed Alamodome", June 2, 2013". mysantonio.com. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
Bibliography
  • Bego, Mark (2001). George Strait: The Story of Country's Living Legend. New York: Citadel Press. ISBN 978-0806522586.
  • Dickinson, Chris (2012). Kingsbury, Paul (ed.). The Encyclopedia of Country Music. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0195395631.

External links

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