The King of Country George Strait will play two final shows in 2018 on December 7-8 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with special guests Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen. Tickets go on sale in one month on Friday, April 6 at 10 a.m. PT at www.StraitToVegas.com.

We're heading back to @TMobileArena on Dec 7 & 8 w/ @LyleLovett and @RobertEarlKeen1. Tickets on sale April 6 at 10AM PST. Details at https://t.co/N3ptUB19S5. pic.twitter.com/D112GvTVbL

— George Strait (@GeorgeStrait) February 23, 2018

The trio of Texans shared the stage earlier this month for the first shows of 2018 after initially coming together last year for Hand in Hand Texas: A Benefit for Hurricane Relief, which was a humanitarian campaign assembled by Strait—a night that ultimately raised tens of millions of dollars for hurricane relief efforts. Strait will be recognized by his home state with the prestigious Texan of the Year honor on March 22 in New Braunfels, Texas.

With an unmatched 60 singles hitting the top of the charts – more than any other artist in any genre – during the span of his 30-year career, Strait is the undeniable “King of Country Music.” He has collected 33 Platinum or multi-Platinum-selling albums, more than any country artist and third across all genres behind only the Beatles and Elvis Presley. Strait has sold nearly 70 million albums and earned more than 60 major entertainment industry awards including induction in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006.

Lyle Lovett has broadened the definition of American music in a career that spans 14 albums. The Texas-based musician fuses elements of country, swing, jazz, folk, gospel and blues in a convention-defying manner that makes him one of the most compelling and captivating musicians in popular music. Keen, who grew up in southwest Houston, has recorded 18 full-length albums for both independent and major record labels, while his songs have been recorded by a variety of artists including Strait, Lovett, Joe Ely, The Highwaymen, Nanci Griffith, and Dixie Chicks.

The Strait To Vegas series started with just six shows in 2016 but was extended with 10 more in 2017. The shows in December will be the last of 2018. Strait previously announced performances in Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas in 2018 shows including May 27 at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans; June 1 and 2 at BOK Center in Tulsa; and June 3 at Frank Erwin Center in Austin.

Ticketing information is available at www.StraitToVegas.com.

Luke Bryan will perform from the Opry City Stage on ABC’s Good Morning America on Friday (December 8th), the same day his new album What Makes You Country is available. Opry City Stage, which boasts a restaurant, bar and live performance stage, is also set to open Luke’s What Makes You Country Pop-Up Shop, featuring his new album, T-shirts and more…all in Times Square.

George Strait has been named the 2018 Texan of the Year by the Texas Legislative Conference. Strait will be presented the award at the New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center March 22nd on behalf of his efforts to help Texans year-round, but most especially for his relief efforts for Hurricane Harvey. To date, he’s helped raise more than $50 million..

Watch Darius Rucker’s concert special on the AT&T Audience Network on Friday (December 8th) at 9pm ET. He recently filmed the one-hour special at New York’s famed Apollo Theater.

Holiday liners from UMG Nashville artists, including Alan Jackson, Billy Currington, Brandon Lay, Brothers Osborne, Canaan Smith, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Easton Corbin, Eric Church, Eric Paslay, Gary Allan, George Strait, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Keith Urban, Kip Moore, Lady Antebellum, Lauren Alaina, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt and more!

The King of Country Music George Strait and long-time friend and Texas businessman Tom Cusick hosted their seventh annual Vaqueros del Mar Invitational golf event last week (Thursday, Oct. 26) at Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort in Boerne, Texas raising a record $1,533,450 throughout the golf tournament, charity concert, and auction (with additional monies coming in post-check presentation to surpass the previous year’s record of $1.2 million, helping notch over $1.5 million by the night’s end).

The annual event raises funds for Feherty’s Troops First Foundation, which directly benefits those who fight to keep us free, the wounded military service men and women. The foundation was founded by Rick Kell and on-course reporter for the PGA Tour and former professional golfer David Feherty in 2008 after Kell spent time with patients recovering from serious combat injuries.

A known supporter and former member of the U.S. Army himself, Strait teamed up with Cusick and the foundation as a way to give back in a grand way. The Invitational has now raised more than $4.5 million for military personnel wounded in action since it was created in 2011.

“We can never repay our military veterans for their dedicated service, but we hope our partnership with the Troops First Foundation can show how much we appreciate them,” said Strait. “Giving back is a top priority for me, Tom, our friends, and Tapatio Springs.”

The popular event featured a live auction and a star-packed jam session with Strait and several of his friends in the music business including Dean Dillon, Jamey Johnson and Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel.

Military support from Strait and Cusick reaches beyond the links. In June, Strait and Cusick cut the ribbon on another project, “The Leon Petry Village of Honor,” which was funded by Feherty’s Troops First Foundation. The Village of Honor is located in Washington D.C. in close proximity to Bethesda Naval Hospital and offers transitional housing for wounded service men and women, and their families free of charge which they undergo the long and painful process of rehabilitation from their combat injuries.

Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley appear on ABC’s Good Morning America and The Chew on Thursday (November 2nd) to talk about next week’s CMA Awards, which will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena November 8th beginning at 8pm ET on ABC.

Lauren Alaina will perform during the 91^st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Dustin Lynch, Sara Evans, Cam, 98 Degrees, Andra Day and Common will also perform. The parade will air from New York City beginning at 9am ET on Thanksgiving Day on NBC.

Darius Rucker is scheduled to perform the National Anthem as his beloved Miami Dolphins play host to the Oakland Raiders on Sunday (November 5th) at 8:30pm ET on NBC.

Luke Bryan has teamed up with Chevy in designing a custom 2018 Chevrolet Suburban. “Chevy has been part of our family and a part of our work life on the farm for as long as I can remember,” says Luke. “If you were a Bryan, you drove a Chevy—and I’m a longtime Suburban owner. This partnership is a natural fit for me and this unique Suburban represents everything I and my family want for our outdoor adventures.”

Don’t forget to watch or set your DVRs as Robin Roberts takes an intimate look at the career and personal life of Luke Bryan in her new ABC special, Living Every Day: Luke Bryan on Monday (November 6th) at 10pm ET.

George Strait is set to headline the 2018 Bayou Country Superfest, taking place at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome May 27th in New Orleans, Louisiana. Little Big Town, Kacey Musgraves and Midland will also perform.

Darius Rucker will appear on ABC’s The View on Wednesday (October 25th).

Shania Twain is featured on CBS’ The Talk on Wednesday (October 25th).

Luke Bryan is a special guest on the Ellen DeGeneres Show on Thursday (October 26th).

During the Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame celebration earlier this week, the NSAI presented the 10 Songs I Wish I’d Written Awards. The honorees included Little Big Town’s “Better Man (written by Taylor Swift), Sam Hunt’s “Body Like a Back Road” (written by Sam, Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally and Zach Crowell), “Different for Girls” by Dierks Bentley, featuring Elle King (written by JT Harding and Shane McAnally), Jon Pardi’s “Dirt on My Boots” (written by Ashley Gorley, Jesse Frasure and Rhett Akins) and Eric Church’s “Kill a Word,” which he co-wrote with Jeff Hyde and Luke Dick.

George Strait, Chris Stapleton, Little Big Town and Kacey Musgraves have been announced as performers at next year’s Bayou Country Superfest. The festival will take place at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Oreleans over the Memorial Day weekend. Tickets go on sale next Thursday (November 2nd).

Country Music’s biggest stars have rallied to announce plans for COUNTRY RISING, a benefit concert to support those in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and additional Caribbean islands who have been impacted by the recent hurricanes. The star-studded lineup at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 12 will include performances by Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Garth Brooks, Sam Hunt, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Chris Stapleton, George Strait and Carrie Underwood. Tickets and VIP packages for the event go on sale next Friday, Oct. 6 at 10:00A CT on Ticketmaster.com. Additional artists and more details will be announced over the coming weeks at CountryRising.org.

The Nashville music community has also stepped on board, with AEG and Live Nation teaming up as the official show promoters working alongside organizer Red Light Management, Bridgestone Arena and the Nashville Predators. COUNTRY RISING will benefit The Country Rising Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, which was established to support charitable initiatives to help victims of the September 2017 hurricanes — Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Jose and Maria. In the course of rebuilding lives disrupted by these devastating storms, there are immediate needs and there also will be long-term needs. This fund will strategically support both as they emerge.

For more information, visit: www.CountryRising.org.

About The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
The Community Foundation exists to promote and facilitate giving in the 40 counties of Middle Tennessee and beyond. It does this by accepting gifts of any size from anyone at any time and by empowering individuals, families, companies, nonprofits, and communities to respond to needs and opportunities that matter. The Community Foundation works with people who have great hearts, whether or not they have great wealth, to craft solutions that reflect their intentions and goals. For more information, call 615-321-4939 or visit www.cfmt.org.