George Strait

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George Strait

Background information
Birth name George Harvey Strait
Also known as King George
Born May 18, 1952 (age 54)
Origin Poteet, Texas, USA
Genre(s) Country Music
Occupation(s) Country music artist
Years active 1981 – Present
Label(s) MCA Nashville Records
(1981 – Present)
Website www.georgestrait.com

George Harvey Strait, (born May 18, 1952), is an American country music singer. The native Texan is known for his honky tonk country western sound. Strait is sometimes referred to as the "King of Country" and some critics call Strait a living legend (Bego, 2001). Strait is widely regarded for causing the resurgance of country music in the late 1980's and early 1990's. He is well known for his unique style of western swing music.

A member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Strait has been nominated for more CMA awards than any other artist. He holds the record for most Number 1 songs on Billboard Country Music charts, and has had more albums certified gold, platinum, or multi-platinum than any other artist except Elvis Presley and The Beatles.

Contents

[edit] Early Years

Strait was born in Poteet, Texas and grew up in Pearsall, Texas. His father, John Byron Strait, was a junior high school mathematics teacher. The Straits would often leave Pearsall on the weekends and in the summers to work at the family's 2,000 acre (8 km²) cattle ranch outside of Big Wells, Texas. Strait's parents divorced when he was in fourth grade, after his mother left, taking her daughter with her. Strait and his brother remained behind with their father.

Strait began playing with a rock band in high school, but his preference turned to country music. He counts country singers Merle Haggard, George Jones, Bob Wills and Hank Williams as his primary country music influences.

After graduating from high school, Strait enrolled in college, but dropped out and eloped with his high school sweetheart, Norma. They initially married in Mexico but repeated their vows in a church in Texas a few weeks later.

In 1971, Strait enlisted in the US Army. While stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, he began performing with an Army-sponsored band, Rambling Country, which played off-base under the name Santee. In 1972, while still in Hawaii, George and Norma welcomed their first child, Jenifer.

Strait was honorably discharged from the army in 1975. He chose to return to his studies, enrolling at Southwest Texas State University (SWT), now Texas State University, in San Marcos, Texas. He graduated in 1979 with a degree in agriculture.

[edit] Music Career

[edit] Gaining a Recording Contract

While attending SWT, Strait formed the Ace in the Hole Band. Beginning October 14, 1975, the band played honky tonks and bars around south and central Texas and as far east as Huntsville and Houston.[1] They gained a regional following and opened for national acts such as The Texas Playboys.

In the late 1970s, while Strait continued to manage a cattle ranch during the day,[1] the band recorded several singles in a Houston studio that were released under the Dallas, Texas based "D" record label, but they never achieved wide recognition.[2]

Strait became friends with Erv Woolsey, who operated one of the bars in which the band played, and who had previously worked for MCA Records. Woolsey convinced some of his Music Row connections to come to Texas and listen to Strait and Ace in the Hole play. Impressed with his performance, MCA quickly signed Strait to a recording deal as a solo performer. The Ace in the Hole Band continued to play with Strait, but now as his backup/touring band.[2]

[edit] Recordings

Strait's first single, "Unwound", quickly became a Top Ten hit. This was followed by "Down and Out" and then a whole series of #1 singles, beginning with "Fool Hearted Memory" in 1982. Strait was one of the best-selling country singers of the 1980s, and one of the few from that decade who survived the influx of pop-country singers such as Garth Brooks in the early 1990s.[2]

His long-time producer Tony Brown, who has collaborated with Strait on more than 15 albums, attributes Strait's success to his understanding of what types of music work best for his voice and his fans, and his insistence on remaining true to his own style of music without trying to constantly reinvent himself.[3] His signature style consists primarily of hardcore honky-tonk and Western swing.[2]

In 1995, Strait released a four-disc boxed set career retrospective. "Strait out of the Box" became the 2nd best selling box set ever with shipments of 8 million in the United States.[2]

On October 3, 2006, Strait marked his twenty-fifth year in the music industry with the release of a new album titled It Just Comes Natural. It contains 15 newly recorded songs using Strait's longtime friend and songwriter, Dean Dillon. The album received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics. People Magazine, in their four-star review, remarked that "If ever there was a natural in country music, it's Strait," while USAToday raved that "He continues to make such consistent quality look easy."[4] The first single off the album, "Give It Away" reached #1 and the title track, "It Just Comes Natural" became his 42nd Billboard #1.

[edit] Records Held

In Strait's more than twenty-five years of recording, all of which have been spent with MCA Records, he has garnered 54 number 1 songs on all charts (including Radio and Records and the now-defunct Gavin Report charts). His 42 Billboard country #1's have set a record, two more than previous record-holder Conway Twitty.[3]

Strait has sold more than 62 million recordings and his certifications from the RIAA include 13 multi-platinum, 32 platinum and 35 gold albums. His overall certification numbers are third of all musicians, behind Elvis Presley and The Beatles.[3][1]

Strait has won 16 CMA Awards, including consecutive entertainer of the year honors in 1989 and 1990, and holds the career record for CMA nominations with seventy-three. Strait was elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006. Strait performed his #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 #1 hits.

Strait remains one of the most played artists on US radio.[citation needed]

[edit] Touring

One of the top touring country acts of the 1990s, Strait's concerts have set attendance records at more than twenty venues around the United States.[4] His 2006 tour, which included only 18 performances, grossed over $15 million. Strait attributes his success as a performer to the fact that he and his band, who are "musically very tight," have a large pool of songs to draw from, and perform those songs very similar to how they sound on the albums.[3]

From 1997 through 2001 Strait headlined the George Strait Country Music Festival which included artists such has Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson and many more. In an effort to introduce these acts to as many fans as possible, the festival promised not to visit any market more than twice. The festival played only a small number of dates, usually no more than 20, but still managed to be the ninth biggest-grossing tour of 1998.[5]

Since 1983, Strait has often appeared at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, recording his album For the Last Time: Live From the Astrodome during the final show at the Astrodome in 2002. The event set the record for paid attendance at the Astrodome with 68,266 people, breaking Latin superstar Selena's previous record of approximately 67,000 in 1993. The following year the Rodeo moved to Reliant Stadium. Strait's 2004 performance at Reliant Stadium set a new Rodeo attendance record, with 68,679 people attending his performance. In his more than twenty appearances at the Houston Rodeo, Strait has played to a total of more than 1 million fans.

From January through March 2007 Strait headlined a twenty-three date arena tour with Ronnie Milsap and newcomer Taylor Swift.[3]

[edit] Filmography

Strait has acted in multiple feature films. He had a bit part in The Soldier (1982) and Mystery, Alaska and starred in Pure Country (1992). He also appeared as himself in The Horse Whisperer (1998) and Grand Champion (2002).

Pure Country featured George Strait in the lead role as "Dusty", a famous country singer who strays too far from his country roots and traditional sound. The movie provided the opportunity for Strait to branch out from his own traditional country sound for a more rock-and-roll approach. The soundtrack to the album, also called Pure Country, produced several hit singles for Strait.

Year Movie Role
1982 The Soldier Codename: The Soldier
1992 Pure Country Dusty Wyatt Chandler
1998 The Horse Whisperer Soundtrack Only
2002 Grand Champion Himself
2003 King of the Hill Voice of Cornell

[edit] Personal Information

In 1981, Strait and Norma welcomed their second child, son George Strait, Jr., known as "Bubba." Sadly, their daughter Jenifer was killed in an automobile accident in 1986, at the age of thirteen. The family set up a foundation, The Jenifer Lynn Strait Foundation, which donates money to children's charities in the San Antonio, Texas area.[6]

Bubba, who is a graduate of Texas A&M University, is pursuing a career as a PRCA team roping competitor.[7] Strait was able to watch his son compete at the Houston Rodeo in 2006 shortly before taking the stage for his own performance.

As pastimes, Strait enjoys fishing, playing golf, and riding motorcycles. George is a member of the PRCA and partners with his son Bubba in team roping competitions. Strait and his older brother Buddy host the annual George Strait Team Roping Classic, in which they compete against some of the best team ropers in the world.

Strait and his wife live in far northwest San Antonio in the wealthy gated community The Dominion as well on a ranch near Cotulla, Texas some 50 miles southwest of San Antonio.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

For a complete album discography, see George Strait Discography.

[edit] Singles

For a complete singles discography, see George Strait Singles.

[edit] Awards

Year Awards Award
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 Awards Musical Event of the Year - Good News, Bad News (with Lee Ann Womack)
2003 Academy of Country Music Career Achievement
2002 Country Weekly Favorite Collaborative Song - Designated Drinker (with Alan Jackson)
2001 Country Music Awards Song of the Year - Murder On Music Row
2000 Country Music Awards 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 Enteratiner
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 American Music Awards Favorite Album - Carrying Your Love With Me
1998 American Music Awards Favorite Male Artist
1998 Country Music Awards Male Vocalist of the Year
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 Album - Blue Clear Sky
1997 Country Music Awards Album of the Year - Carrying Your Love With Me
1997 Country Music Awards Male Vocalist of the Year
1997 TNN/Music City News Album of the Year - Blue Clear Sky
1996 Academy of Country Music Album of the Year - Blue Clear Sky
1996 Academy of Country Music Top Male Vocalist
1996 Country Music Awards Male Vocalist of the Year
1996 Country Music Awards Album of the Year - Blue Clear Sky
1996 Country Music Awards 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 Academy of Country Music Single of the Year - Check Yes Or No
1991 American Music Awards Favorite Male Artist
1990 Country Music Awards Entertainer of the Year
1989 Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year
1989 Country Music Awards Entertainer of the Year
1988 Academy of Country Music Top Male Vocalist
1986 Country Music Awards 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 Awards Album of the Year - Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind
1985 Country Music Awards Male Vocalist of the Year
1984 Academy of Country Music Top Male Vocalist

[edit] See also

[edit] Sources

  1. ^ a b c Kingsley, Paul (1995), George Strait, Liner Notes for Strait Out of the Box: MCA Records
  2. ^ a b c d e Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "George Strait Bio", All Music Guide, 2006. Retrieved on March 15, 2007.
  3. ^ a b c d e Stark, Phyllis. "Being George Strait", American Chronicle, February 26, 2006. Retrieved on March 15, 2007.
  4. ^ a b "George Strait's New Tour", Nashville Hype!, November 2, 2006. Retrieved on March 15, 2007.
  5. ^ Tafoya, Richard. "George Strait Festival To Phase Out Return Engagements", LiveDaily, May 12, 1999. Retrieved on March 15, 2007.
  6. ^ Jenifer Strait. RachelJoyScott.net. Retrieved on March 15, 2007.
  7. ^ Strait Heir. Retrieved on January 24, 2007.

[edit] External links

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