platinum profiles: GEORGE STRAIT

ALL CAME FROM WIKIPEDIA

George Harvey Strait (born May 18, 1952) is a Grammy Award-winning American country music singer. Strait is referred to as the "King of Country," and critics call Strait a living legend.[1] He is known for his unique style of western swing music, bar-room ballads, honky-tonk style, and fresh yet traditional country western music.[citation needed]
Strait won CMA Entertainer of the year in 1989 and 1990 and ACM Entertainer of the year in 1990. A member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Strait has been nominated for more CMA and ACM awards and has more wins in both category's 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's 38 hit albums (12 multi platinum, 22 platinum and four gold) rank him only behind Elvis Presley and The Beatles. The RIAA has certified his albums at 68× platinum, denoting shipments of 58.5 million in the United States. His best-selling album there 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 tenth best-selling recording artist in the United States overall.
Contents[hide]
1 Early years
1.1 Early life
1.2 Career discovery
2 Music career
2.1 1980 – 2000: Breakthrough
2.2 2000 – present: Career today
2.3 Touring
3 Acting career
4 Records held
5 Personal life
6 Discography
7 Filmography
8 Awards
9 See also
10 References
11 Notes
12 Further reading
13 External links
//

[edit] Early years

[edit] Early life
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 third 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 Pearsall 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 at Southwest Texas State University (now known as Texas State University) 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 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. On October 6, 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 Southwest Texas State University, in San Marcos, Texas. He graduated in 1979 with a degree in agriculture.

[edit] Career discovery
While attending SWT, Strait joined the Ace in the Hole Band, who had been advertising for a new lead singer. Beginning October 14, 1975, the band started playing at Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos, a local honky-tonk. The band then began playing other honky-tonks and bars around south and central Texas and as far east as Huntsville and Houston.[2] They gained a regional following and opened for national acts such as The Texas Playboys.
While Strait continued to manage a cattle ranch during the day,[2] the band recorded several singles in a Houston studio that were released under the Houston, Texas based "D" record label, but they never achieved wide recognition.[3] 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. The Ace in the Hole Band continued to play with Strait, but now as his backup/touring band.[3]

[edit] Music career

[edit] 1980 – 2000: Breakthrough
"Unwound," Strait's first single, was released in the spring of 1981 and climbed into the Top Ten. The follow-up, "Down and Out," stalled at 16, but "If You're Thinking You Want a Stranger (There's One Coming Home)" reached number three in early 1982. The song sparked a string of Top Ten hits that ran well into the '90s. During that time he had an astonishing 31 number one singles, beginning with 1982's "Fool Hearted Memory". [4] 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 rock-country singers such as Garth Brooks in the early 1990s.[3]
In 1985, he won CMA awards for album of the year (Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind) and male vocalist. In 1986, he repeated his win as male vocalist, but his year was marked by tragedy when his 13-year-old daughter, Jenifer, was killed in an automobile accident. (His other child, George Jr., was born in 1981.) Strait capped the decade by winning the CMA entertainer of the year award in 1989. A year later, he won the award again. [4]
Throughout the '80s, he dominated the country singles charts, and his albums consistently went platinum or gold. Strait rarely abandoned hardcore honky-tonk and Western swing — towards the beginning of the '90s, his sound became a little slicker, but it was only a relative change. Strait was also one of the few '80s superstars to survive the generational shift of the early '90s, which began with the phenomenal success of Garth Brooks. [4]
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.[5] His signature style consists primarily of hardcore honky-tonk and Western swing.[3]
Strait released a four-disc box set career retrospective, Strait Out of the Box, in 1995 which became the 2nd best selling box set ever with shipments of 8 million in the United States.[3]. Blue Clear Sky, his 1996 album, debuted on the country charts at number one and the pop charts at number seven. In 1997, he released Carrying Your Love with Me, following it with One Step at a Time in 1998. Always Never the Same appeared a year later, as did the seasonal effort Merry Christmas Wherever You Are. [4]
Strait repeated as male vocalist in 1997 and 1998. All in all, Strait scored 17 No. 1 hits on the Billboard country airplay charts in the 1990s, including "One Night at a Time," "I Just Want to Dance with You" and "Write This Down." [6]

[edit] 2000 – present: Career today
May 2001 saw the release of The Road Less Traveled, which qualified as an experimental album of sorts for the veteran performer. While it didn't stray very far from his new traditionalist country sound, "Road" did include a foray into vocal processing. But the experimentation was welcome, for it revealed that Strait was still hungry, even after millions of records sold. Strait issued two projects in 2003. For the Last Time: Live from the Astrodome chronicled his headlining set at the last Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo ever held in the Astrodome, while Honkytonkville was a fiery set of hard country, lauded by critics for its mixture of the old Strait with his modern, superstar self. Somewhere Down in Texas arrived in 2005, followed by It Just Comes Natural in 2006.
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 contains 15 brand new songs. Strait's long-time friend and songwriter, Dean Dillon co-wrote two of the songs on the album. The album received 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."[7] 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.
Strait released a new album titled Troubadour on April 1, 2008. The CD contains 12 tracks, including a duet with Patty Loveless and another with long-time songwriter Dean Dillon, who co-wrote two of the songs on It Just Comes Natural. 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. Troubadour debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 album charts, selling over 160,000 copies in its first week of release.
"I Saw God Today" has become Strait's 43rd Billboard Hot Country Songs number-one single and his 56th number-one single overall. And now "River of Love" the 3rd single from his album "Troubadour" has became his 57th number-one song.
XM Radio dedicated a channel to George Strait called Strait Country for the months of April and May 2008.[8]

[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.[7] 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.[5]
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.[9]
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 1995. 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 April 2007 Strait headlined a twenty-three date arena tour with Ronnie Milsap and newcomer Taylor Swift. The tour, originally scheduled to end in early March with back-to-back shows at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT, was postponed until the end of April after Strait came down with laryngitis.[5]
On June 6, 2009, Strait will headline the first event at the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Tx.

[edit] Acting career
Strait has acted in multiple feature 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 soundtrack to the album, also called Pure Country, produced several hit singles for Strait.

[edit] Records held
In Strait's more than 25 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 old Radio & Records charts, and the now-defunct Gavin Report charts), and has more #1 hits than anyone else 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.[5]
Strait has sold more than 73 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.[2][5]
Strait has won 22 CMA Awards, including consecutive entertainer of the year honors in 1989 and 1990, and holds the career record for CMA nominations with 73 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 as well. Strait was elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006. Strait performed 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.
In October 2008, the Academy of Country Music Awards announced that Strait has been named their Artist of the Decade for the 2000s and will receive this award in the spring of 2009. Past winners of the award are Marty Robbins (1960s), Loretta Lynn (1970s), Alabama (1980s) and Garth Brooks (1990s).

[edit] Personal life

Strait at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo in 2005
On May 14, 1981, Strait and Norma welcomed their second child, son George Strait, Jr., known as "Bubba." Their daughter Jenifer was killed in an automobile accident in San Marcos, Texas, in 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.[10] Bubba, who is a graduate of Texas A&M University, is pursuing a career as a PRCA team roping competitor.[11] 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. Along with his son Bubba, he is a member of the PRCA and partners in team roping competitions. George and his elder brother Buddy, who died in April 2009, host the annual George Strait Team Roping Classic, in which they compete 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 kilometres) 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.
On April 10, 2009, George's older brother John "Buddy" Strait, Jr. was found dead by housekeeping in his hotel room not far from the singers home in San Antonio, TX. At this time, the 58-year-old Strait’s death appears to be natural. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause.

[edit] Discography
Main article: George Strait discography

[edit] Filmography
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] Awards
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 Songwriters)
2007
Academy of Country Music
Single of the Year - "Give It Away" (Two Trophies: Artist, and Producer)
2007
Academy of Country Music
Song of the Year - "Give It Away"
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

[edit] See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: George Strait
George Strait Country Music Festival
Best selling music artists
List of best selling music artists in US
List of honorific titles in popular music
Inductees of the Country Music Hall of Fame (2006 Inductee)

[edit] References
Bego, Mark (2001). George Strait: the Story of Country's Living Legend. Citadel Press. ISBN 9780806522586
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.
Billboard Magazine. "George Strait". http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/bio/index.jsp?pid=2521&aid=91293. Retrieved on 2007-01-24.
Universal Music Group Nashville. "George Strait - MCA". http://www.umgnashville.com/artist.aspx?ob=ros&src=lb&aid=8. Retrieved on 2007-01-24.

[edit] Notes
^ Bego, 2001.
^ a b c Kingsley, Paul (1995), George Strait, Liner Notes for Strait Out of the Box: MCA Records
^ a b c d e Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (2006). "George Strait Bio". Allmusic. http://www.livedaily.com/artists/bio/103.html. Retrieved on 2007-03-15.
^ a b c d George Strait biography at Allmusic (retrieved March 22, 2008)
^ a b c d e Stark, Phyllis (February 26, 2006). "Being George Strait". American Chronicle. http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=21330. Retrieved on 2007-03-15.
^ George Strait biography at CMT .com
^ a b "George Strait's New Tour". Nashville Hype!. November 2, 2006. http://www.nashvillehype.com/archives/george_straits_new_tour_000500.htm. Retrieved on 2007-03-15.
^ XM News Release, March 12, 2008
^ Tafoya, Richard (May 12, 1999). "George Strait Festival To Phase Out Return Engagements". LiveDaily. http://www.livedaily.com/news/George_Strait_Festival_To_Phase_Out_Return_Engagements-138.html. Retrieved on 2007-03-15.
^ "Jenifer Strait". RachelJoyScott.net. http://www.racheljoyscott.net/jenifer_strait/index.htm. Retrieved on 2007-03-15.
^ "Strait Heir". http://sportybabe1.homestead.com/straitheir.html. Retrieved on 2007-01-24.

[edit] Further reading
Cantwell, David; Marsh, Dave; Strait, George (1996), George Strait, Penguin Group USA, ISBN 9781572971219

[edit] External links
George Strait Online
Official UMG Nashville Artist Page
George Strait at the Internet Movie Database
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
[hide]
v • d • eGeorge Strait
Studio albums
Strait Country · Strait from the Heart · Right or Wrong · Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind · Something Special · #7 · Ocean Front Property · If You Ain't Lovin', You Ain't Livin' · Beyond the Blue Neon · Livin' It Up · Chill of an Early Fall · Holding My Own · Pure Country · Easy Come, Easy Go · Lead On · Blue Clear Sky · Carrying Your Love with Me · One Step at a Time · Always Never the Same · George Strait · The Road Less Traveled · Honkytonkville · Somewhere Down in Texas · It Just Comes Natural · Troubadour
Compilation albums
Greatest Hits · Greatest Hits Volume Two · Ten Strait Hits · Strait Out of the Box · Latest Greatest Straitest Hits · 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of George Strait · 20th Century Masters: The Christmas Collection: The Best of George Strait · 50 Number Ones · 22 More Hits
Specialty albums
Merry Christmas Strait to You · Merry Christmas Wherever You Are · For the Last Time: Live from the Astrodome · Fresh Cut Christmas · Live at Texas Stadium · Classic Christmas
Related articles
Discography · Universal Music Group Nashville
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Strait"
Categories: 1952 births Living people American country singers American male singers United States National Medal of Arts recipients People from Atascosa County, Texas People from San Antonio, Texas United States Army soldiers Texas State University–San Marcos alumni American Christians MCA Records artists Country Music Hall of Fame inductees Grammy Award winners
Hidden categories: All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements since April 2008
Views
Article
Discussion
Edit this page
History
Personal tools
Log in / create account

if (window.isMSIE55) fixalpha();
Navigation
Main page
Contents
Featured content
Current events
Random article
Search

Interaction
About Wikipedia
Community portal
Recent changes
Contact Wikipedia
Donate to Wikipedia
Help
Toolbox
What links here
Related changes
Upload file
Special pages
Printable version
Permanent link
Cite this page
Languages
Deutsch
فارسی
Français
Italiano
Nederlands
‪Norsk (bokmål)‬
Português
Svenska
中文


This page was last modified on 13 May 2009, at 00:40 (UTC).
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. (See Copyrights for details.) Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a U.S. registered 501(c)(3) tax-deductible nonprofit charity.
Privacy policy
About Wikipedia
Disclaimers