George Strait

Name	George Strait
Background	solo_singer
Alias	The King of Country
Birth name	George Harvey Strait
Born	May 18, 1952
Origin	Poteet, Texas
Instrument	Vocals, Guitar, Piano
Genre	Country
Occupation	Singer, Producer, Actor
Years active	1975–present
Label	MCA (MCA Nashville)
Associated acts	Ace in the HoleDean DillonAlan JacksonPatty LovelessLee Ann WomackJamey Johnson Mindy McCready Garth Brooks
Url	www.georgestrait.com

George Harvey Strait (born May 18, 1952) is an American country music singer, actor and music producer. Strait is referred to as the "King of Country," and critics call Strait a living legend. He is known for his unique style of western swing music, bar-room ballads, honky-tonk style, and fresh yet traditional country western music. George Strait holds the world record for more #1 hit singles than any other artist in the history of music on any chart or in any genre. As of 2010 he has recorded 57 #1 hit singles.

Strait rocketed to success after his first single "Unwound" gave him his first 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". The next decade for which he was named Artist Of The Decade by the ACM, he 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 during this time, producing a more contemporary sound with moderate cross-over hits including "She'll Leave You with a Smile" and "You'll Be There".

Strait won 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. As of 2009, he holds the record for the most Number One hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts with 44 number one singles on that chart. Counting all other music charts, Strait has amassed a total of 57 number one hits overall, breaking a record previously set by Conway Twitty.

Strait has sold more than 68.5 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× Multi-platinum). His highest certified album is Strait Out of the Box (1995), which sold 2 million copies (8× Multi-Platinum due to being a box set with four CDs). According to the RIAA, Strait is the 12th best-selling recording artist with the albums in the United States overall.

Early life

Strait was born in Poteet, Texas, just south of San Antonio, and grew up in the nearby town of Pearsall. His father, John Byron Strait, was a junior high school mathematics teacher, who owns a 2,000 acre (8 km²) cattle ranch outside of Big Wells, Texas. The family would work at the farm on the weekends and in the summers. Strait's mother, Doris Couser Strait, left with George Strait's sister Pency when he was in third grade, leaving him and his brother John Jr. to be raised by their father.

Strait began his musical interest while attending Pearsall High School, playing 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 didn't 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. He eloped with his high school sweetheart, Norma. The couple initially married in Mexico on December 4, 1971 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 as a part of the 25th Infantry division (light), he began performing with an Army-sponsored band, "Rambling Country", which played off-base under the name "Santee". After Strait was honorably discharged from the army in 1975, he enrolled at Southwest Texas State University (now known as Texas State University) in San Marcos, Texas, 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 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. 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", 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.

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 #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 '90s. Strait Country was hailed by critics as a traditionalist breakthrough that broke the trend of pop-influenced country prevalent at the time. 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 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. 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 seventeen subsequent #1's in the decade, including a string of five that lasted from 1983-84 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". In 1986, Strait repeated as the CMA vocalist of the year and released his fourth #1 album #7. Strait and his family were struck with tragedy when his 13-year-old daughter, Jenifer, was killed in an one-car non-alcohol related accident. The incident did not hinder Strait's performance, as he went on to release 11 straight #1 hits, starting with "Nobody in His Right Mind Would've Left Her" in 1986 and ending with "Ace in the Hole" in 1989. Strait finished the decade by winning the CMA entertainer of the year award in 1989. A year later, he won the award again. It produced the #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 #24.

Strait completed the decade with the album Always Never the Same in 1999, which peaked at #2 on country charts and matched the cross-over success of Pure Country by reaching #6 on the Billboard 200. The record produced the hits "What Do You Say to That", "Meanwhile" and the #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". 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.

2000 – present: Career today

Strait released a self-named album in 2000, which despite a #1 and #7 showing on the country and Billboard 200 album charts, produced 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." It featured "vocal processing," and was considered by some critics as an experimental album.

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." The first single off the album, "Give It Away" reached #1 and the title track, "It Just Comes Natural" became his 42nd Billboard #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 off the album, "I Saw God Today", debuted at #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 #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.

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 off of 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 #1 in the top 25 country artists of the past 25 years.

George Strait performed at the 44th Annual Country Music Awards on November 10, 2010.

Personal life

In 1981, Strait and Norma welcomed son George Strait, Jr., known as "Bubba." Their daughter Jenifer was killed in an automobile accident in San Marcos, Texas, on June 25, 1986, at the age of 13. The family set up a foundation, The Jenifer Lynn Strait Foundation, which donates money to children's charities in the San Antonio, Texas area. Bubba, who is a graduate of Texas A&M; University, is pursuing a career as a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) team roping competitor. 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 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 Buddy, who died in April 2009, 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 north-west San Antonio in the wealthy gated community The Dominion as well as on a ranch near Cotulla, Texas, some 50 miles (80 kilometers) southwest of San Antonio. He is also a big fan of the NBA's San Antonio Spurs and can be seen court-side at many of the Spurs' home basketball games.

Strait also is known for driving Chevrolets, as he is the spokesman for a local Texas Chevrolet dealership, and often refers to Chevys in his songs.

Of German descent on both sides of his family, he is a fourth-great-grandson of Johann Christian Streit (b.1672), a native of Kirberg, Bavaria, Germany, who immigrated to Somerset County, New Jersey prior to 1710. Within two generations, the family had relocated to Chester County, South Carolina, then on to Greene County, Alabama, and finally, to Texas. His oldest known ancestor, it should be noted, was one Johannes Streit (b.1596, Bavaria/d. bef. 1664).

Discography

In Strait's more than 30 years of recording, all of which have been spent with MCA Records, he has garnered 57 No. 1 songs on all country charts (including Mediabase 24/7, the former Radio & Records charts, and the now-defunct Gavin Report charts), and has more #1 hits than any other artist in any genre. His 44 Billboard magazine country No. 1's (to date) are a record, at the moment four more than previous record-holder Conway Twitty, who racked up 40, including several duets with Loretta Lynn. Additionally, Strait is also the first artist in the history of Billboard magazine to have at least one single enter the Top 10 of any given Billboard chart for 30 consecutive years, starting in 1981 when his debut single, "Unwound," peaked at #6 on the Hot Country Singles chart. (All of his Top 10 singles have been on that chart.)

Strait has sold more than 68.5 million albums in the United States and his certifications from the RIAA include 13 multi-platinum, 33 platinum and 38 gold albums.

Main albums

Twang (2009)

Troubadour (2008)

It Just Comes Natural (2006)

Somewhere Down in Texas (2005)

Honkytonkville (2003)

The Road Less Traveled (2001)

George Strait (2000)

Always Never the Same (1999)

One Step at a Time (1998)

Carrying Your Love with Me (1997)

Blue Clear Sky (1996)

Lead On (1994)

Easy Come, Easy Go (1993)

Holding My Own (1992)

Chill of an Early Fall (1991)

Livin' It Up (1990)

Beyond the Blue Neon (1989)

If You Ain't Lovin' You Ain't Livin' (1988)

Ocean Front Property (1987)

#7 (1986)

Something Special (1985)

Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind (1984)

Right or Wrong (1983)

Strait from the Heart (1982)

Strait Country (1981)

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 will have a limited role in the sequel to Pure Country, Pure Country 2: The Gift, which began filming in 2009. {|class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Movie !! 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 |- |In production || Pure Country 2: The Gift|| Country music star |}

Awards

plaque]] Strait holds the record for most number one albums, gold albums, and platinum albums in the history of country music and is 11th 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. He is also the ninth best selling artist in American music history, and has recorded the most number one songs in the history of any genre. Strait is the only artist in the history of music to have a top ten hit every year for thirty years. He also is second all-time in top ten hits in the history of music currently ten 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 and as of 2008 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 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 announced that 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). {|class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Awards !! Award |- |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 #1 Songs) |- |2003 ||CMT 40 Greatest Men of Country Music ||Ranked #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 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 ||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

George Strait Country Music Festival

List of best-selling music artists

List of best-selling music artists in the United States

Inductees of the Country Music Hall of Fame (2006 Inductee)

George Strait in Songs

Notes

References

Bego, Mark (2001). George Strait: the Story of Country's Living Legend. Citadel Press. ISBN 978-0-8065-2258-6

Dickinson, Chris. (1998). "George Strait". In The Encyclopedia of Country Music. Paul Kingsbury, Editor. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 513–4.

"Discography". George Strait's Official Web Site. Retrieved August 27, 2004.

"Awards". George Strait's Official Web Site. Retrieved August 27, 2004.

Further reading

External links

George Strait Online

George Strait - biography, discography, lyrics, photos, videos

Official UMG Nashville Artist Page

George Strait at the Internet Movie Database

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

George Strait Team Roping Classic (GSTRC) homepage

Category:1952 births Category:Living people Category:American country singers Category:American male singers Category:American people of German descent Category:United States National Medal of Arts recipients Category:People from Atascosa County, Texas Category:People from San Antonio, Texas Category:People from Frio County, Texas Category:United States Army soldiers Category:Texas State University–San Marcos alumni Category:American Christians Category:MCA Records artists Category:Country Music Hall of Fame inductees Category:Grammy Award winners