George Strait Country Music Festival
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The George Strait Chevy Truck Country Music Festival was a touring Country Music festival that featured many top country acts and was headlined by George Strait. From 1997 through 2001, this festival played large stadiums across North America. The first stop on the first tour was in Tempe, Arizona.
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[edit] Format
The show would usually begin late in the morning with Asleep at the Wheel performing a number of their hits, and occasionally, a few of their favorite Strait tunes. Throughout the day, up-and-coming country acts as well as already successful performers would take the stage. The night would conclude with a performance by George Strait.
[edit] Performers
In addition to George Strait, performers included: Asleep at the Wheel, John Michael Montgomery, Lee Ann Womack, Lila McCann, Sara Evans, Dixie Chicks, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Lonestar, Mark Chesnutt, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, The Warren Brothers, and BR5-49.
The lineups, by year were as follows: 1998
Asleep at the Wheel
Lila McCann
Lee Ann Womack
Faith Hill
John Michael Montgomery or Aaron Tippin depending on the show
Tim McGraw
George Strait
1999
Asleep at the Wheel
Mark Wills
Jo Dee Messina
Kenny Chesney
Dixie Chicks
Tim McGraw
George Strait
2000
Asleep at the Wheel
Lee Ann Womack
Mark Chesnutt
Kenny Chesney
Martina McBride
Tim McGraw
George Strait
2001
Asleep at the Wheel
Sara Evans
Brad Paisley
Lee Ann Womack
Lonestar
Alan Jackson
George Strait
The music video for Strait's "Write This Down" used footage filmed at a CMF show in Tampa in 1999, featuring both live footage of Strait's performance as well as of fans at Straitland. The entirety of Strait's set from that night was filmed and aired on CMT. It was originally planned as a commercial release, but was never issued. Rumor circulated that Strait himself was displeased with part of the performance. It first aired in 2001, along with a backstage look at the '01 CMF lineup.
[edit] Straitland
Straitland was the fair that travelled with the George Strait Country Music Festival, and often set up just outside of the stadium. There are booths selling everything from corn to Wrangler Jeans, a line dancing stage, a climbing wall, karaoke booth, and other attractions. Straitland would be open before the first act took the stage, and would close just before George Strait took the stage. On occasion, there was a booth where performers would sign autographs after their concert. The autograph booth was sponsored by Pemmican Beef Jerky. In 1999, Kenny Chesney, Jo Dee Messina and Mark Wills signed. In 2001, Sara Evans, Brad Paisley and Lee Ann Womack rotated at the autograph booth.
[edit] Straitland Sidestage
Straitland featured a sidestage where lesser known acts performed, usually between the main acts. In 2001, the Straitland stage featured BR5-49 and The Warren Brothers. Sara Evans was known to join the Warren Brothers on stage to perform "That's the Beat of a Heart."
[edit] Tour Itineraries
The George Strait Country Music Festival only did shows on Saturdays and Sundays, generally from April through the beginning of June. The briefest tour, 2000, only did ten shows. The publicized reason for only touring five weekends was that Strait's son graduated high school, and he wanted to spend as much time with him as possible before George, Jr. went to college.
1998
Phoenix, AZ
Tampa, FL
Detroit, MI
New Orleans, LA
St. Louis, MO
Los Angeles, CA
Columbus, OH
Chicago, IL
Kansas City, MO
Minneapolis, MN
Salt Lake City, UT
Denver, CO
Oakland, CA
San Francisco, CA
1999
Phoenix, AZ
El Paso, TX
Tampa, FL
Clemson, SC
New Orleans, LA
San Antonio, TX
Houston, TX
Dallas, TX
Ames, IA
Chicago, IL
Las Vegas, NV
Oakland, CA
Washington, D.C.
Boston, MA
Kansas City, MO
Louisville, KY
Detroit, MI
Pittsburgh, PA
2000
Cincinnati, OH
2001
3/24 Tampa, FL
3/25 Miami, FL
3/31 Phoenix, AZ
4/1 Las Vegas, NV
4/7 New Orleans, LA
4/8 Little Rock, AK
4/21 Columbia, SC
4/22 Atlanta, GA
5/12 Kansas, MO
5/13 St. Louis, MO
5/19 Milwaukee, WI
5/20 Minneapolis, MN
5/26 Joliet, IL
5/27 Louisville, KY
6/9 San Antonio, TX
6/10 Dallas, TX
[edit] Set Lists
George Strait's set list from May 16, 1999 in Foxboro, MA was:
Deep In The Heart Of Texas
There Stands The Glass
Check Yes Or No
When Did You Stop Loving Me
Heartland
Carried Away
Take Me Back To Tulsa
Milk Cow Blues
We Really Shouldn’t Be Doing This
Maria
I Just Want To Dance With You
That’s Where I Wanna Take Our Love
Always Never The Same
One Night At A Time
Cherokee Maiden
Linda On My Mind
Mama Tried
Peace Of Mind
What Do You Say To That
Write This Down
I Can Still Make Cheyenne
Carrying Your Love With Me
Amarillo by Morning
Today My World Slipped Away
Blue Clear Sky
Meanwhile
Lead On
I Cross My Heart
Unwound
Encore: True
The Cowboy Rides Away
Alan Jackson's set list from May 27, 2001 in Louisville, KY was: Gone Country
Blue Moon Of Kentucky
I Don’t Even Know Your Name
It Must Be Love
Tall, Tall Trees
Livin’ On Love
She’s Got The Rhythm
I’ll Go On Loving You
Where I Come From
Seven Bridges Road
When Somebody Loves You
Summertime Blues
www.memory
The Blues Man
Pop A Top
Little Bitty
Who’s Cheatin’ Who
Don’t Rock The Jukebox
Chattahoochee
George Strait's set list from May 27, 2001 in Louisville, KY was: Deep In The Heart Of Texas (Instrumental)
Don’t Make Me Come Over There And Love You
There Stands The Glass
When Did You Stop Loving Me
Heartland
I Can Still Make Cheyenne
Write This Down
Lead On
The Fireman
Carried Away
Check Yes Or No
The Chair
Murder On Music Row (w/Alan Jackson)
Blue Clear Sky
Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind
My Life’s Been Grand
I Just Want to Dance With You
Meanwhile
Amarillo by Morning
If You Can Do Anything Else
Take Me Back To Tulsa
Milk Cow Blues
The Best Day
Unwound
Encore: Folsom Prison Blues
The Cowboy Rides Away
