• CMA AWARDS 50: George Strait

    George Strait has been on the country music scene since the mid-80s, and he’s still making great music. The Country Music Hall of Famer, who has been nominated at the CMA Awards a record 83 times, picked up his first – and second – CMA Award in 1985. He won Male Vocalist of the Year, as well as Album of the Year for Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind. He also took home his first Entertainer of the Year award in 1989. In 2013, he won his third Entertainer of the Year Award, tying Alabama and Alan Jackson with three. With that victory, he’s the only artist to win Entertainer in three different decades.

    The CMA Awards are pretty special to the Texas native. “I’ve been a part of the CMA for almost 50 years. [laughs] So, I mean I feel a real attachment there because I have been – it’s been a huge part of my career. They’ve been so good to me and over the years I’ve won more awards there than I deserve I’m sure, but I’ll take them,” says George. “But it’s just it’s hard to believe it’s been 50 years. It really is. It’s tough for me to believe it’s been 50 years because time has gone by so fast. But you watch those shows back in the day when you’re just sitting around trying to – and you’re just dreaming of being on that stage. You’re dreaming of getting one of those nominations. You’re just all these things, if I could just get there just once. I just want to go. And then you finally get nominated, and it’s just the most incredible feeling in the world.”

    With the CMA Awards celebrating 50 years, George, among many other CMA winners, will perform during the show, and he’s one of the artists featured in the all-star “Forever Country” single created specifically to celebrate the CMAs 50th anniversary.

    The 50th Annual CMA Awards will broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Wednesday (November 2nd) at 8pm ET on ABC.

    Audio / George Strait recalls his first CMA Entertainer win in 1989.

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    George Strait (1st CMA Entertainer) OC: …even better. :38
    “Yeah, when I first won the Entertainer of the Year, I guess it was ’89 I was ecstatic and shocked and just all of the emotions you can imagine were just like I was so happy I could hardly stand it. I think I had been nominated a few times but I just never had gotten it and was thinking maybe I won’t get it. Maybe it’s not meant to be. And I’m pretty sure it was Barbara Mandrell that gave me the award that night and I was a huge fan of hers too. She’s such a sweet lady. And anyway, so that made it even better.”

    Audio / George Strait talks about winning the CMA Male Vocalist Award for the first time in 1985. He also picked up a trophy for Album of the Year for Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind.

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    George Strait (CMA Male Vocalist 1985) OC: …was fun. :34
    “It’s always a surprise to win. I don’t care what you’re up for, me, anyway, I don’t think I’m ever going to win. Male Vocalist, it was a surprise, especially back then. That’s a pretty special award to win.”

    Audio / George Strait talks about realizing his dream of winning CMA Awards.

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    George Strait (CMA Awards) OC: …in the world. 1:03
    “I’ve been a part of the CMA for almost 50 years. [laughs] So, I mean I feel a real attachment there because I have been – it’s been a huge part of my career. They’ve been so good to me and over the years I’ve won more awards there than I deserve I’m sure but I’ll take them. But it’s just it’s hard to believe it’s been 50 years. It really is. It’s tough for me to believe it’s been 50 years because time has gone by so fast. But you watch those shows back in the day when you’re just sitting around trying to – and you’re just dreaming of being on that stage. You’re dreaming of getting one of those nominations. You’re just all these things if I could just get there just once. I just want to go. And then you finally get nominated, and it’s just the most incredible feeling in the world.”

    Audio / George Strait says his most special CMA Award is his Entertainer of the Year win in 2013.

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    George Strait (most special CMA Award) OC: …special. :45
    “Well, they’re all really special for sure, but I think the one that I s most special now that sticks out in my mind is when I won Entertainer of the Year last time, which I think was in 2013. I’d been nominated for a lot of years there you know, and I’d won it a couple of times, but I figured those days were over. I actually told the record company, those days, it’s not gonna come around for me again, so when it happened it was really, really special. A lot of people did a lot of hard work and promoting…me rather and so I’ve got a lot of people to thank for that, but it’s really special.”

    Video / George Strait on winning his first CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Award

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  • GEORGE STRAIT, ALAN JACKSON AND VINCE GILL ARE AMONG THE PERFORMERS ADDED TO THIS YEAR’S CMA AWARDS.

    George Strait, Alan Jackson and Vince Gill are among the former CMA Entertainer of the Year winners set to perform on next week’s CMA Awards. Alabama, Brooks & Dunn, Charley Pride and Reba will also perform during the show.

    This illustrious group of performers is among the most lauded artists in CMA Awards history with a combined 375 nominations and 94 wins, including 14 for the CMA Awards’ top honor: Entertainer of the Year. As if that weren’t enough, Brooks & Dunn, Gill, Pride and Reba have all hosted Country Music’s Biggest Night™.

    “These superstars have been an important part of our legacy and have contributed so much to our current success,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “We are delighted they are going to be part of this important milestone anniversary.”

    Each of the artists also participated in “Forever Country,” a tribute to the CMA Awards which featured 30 CMA Award winning acts appearing in a medley of Country classics including John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again,” and Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.” The song and music video have been toppings sales and airplay charts around the globe.

    Another Hall of Fame member, Vince holds the record for hosting the CMA Awards with 12 turns at the podium (1992-2003). He has 53 CMA Awards nominations and 18 wins including five consecutive trophies for Male Vocalist (1991-1995) and two wins for Entertainer of the Year (1993, 1994).

    Alan has 81 CMA Awards nominations and 16 wins including two for Male Vocalist (2002, 2003) and three for Entertainer of the Year (1995, 2002, 2003).

    George Strait is also a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and is the most awarded artist in CMA Awards history with 83 nominations and 23 wins including five for Male Vocalist (1985,1986, 1996-1998) and three for Entertainer of the Year (1989, 1990, 2013).

    Previously announced performers include Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, Eric Church, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Garth Brooks with Trisha Yearwood, Kelsea Ballerini, Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Maren Morris, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood.

    The 50th Annual CMA Awards will be broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Wednesday, November 2nd (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on ABC.

  • GEORGE STRAIT RELEASES HIS LATEST SINGLE, “GOIN’, GOIN’, GONE.”

    The King of Country Music, George Strait, has just released his new single, “Goin’, Goin’, Gone,” to radio. Written by Wyatt Earp (the songwriter) and Keith Gattis, the song celebrates unwinding and getting a little rowdy following a long workweek.

    George says it’s one of his favorites on his Cold Beer Conversation album. “I love that song,” he says. “It would be a song like if I was in here drinking a cold beer with my buddies, I would want to hear that song played.”

    He’ll certainly be playing the song when he hits Sin City December 2nd and 3rd, as well as February 17th and 18th.

    Audio / George Strait talks about “Goin’ Goin’ Gone.”

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    George Strait (Goin’ Goin’ Gone) OC: …song played. :13
    “‘Goin’ Goin’ Gone,’ written by Keith Gattis and that old gun slinger, Wyatt Earp, right? I love that song, it’s one of my favorite cuts on the album, I just think it’s a fun song that I, it would be a song like if I was in here drinking a cold beer with my buddies, I would want to hear that song played.”

  • NEWS AND NOTES: George, Luke, Chris, Sam, Keith, Eric

    George Strait is a grandfather once again. His son, Bubba, and daughter-in-law, Tamara, welcomed their second child Jillian Louise Strait on September 10th. She joins big brother Harvey, who was born February 2nd, 2012.

    Luke Bryan is up for Favorite Male Country Artist and his album, Kill the Lights, is nominated for Favorite Country Album, along with Chris Stapleton’s Traveller, at this year’s American Music Awards. The AMA’s will air live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles November 20th at 8pm ET on ABC.

    Sam Hunt’s “Break Up in a Small Town” and Keith Urban’s “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16,” along with Eric Church’s “Like a Wrecking Ball” and “Record Year” are among “The 10 Songs I Wish I’d Written”  as voted on by NSAI members.

  • GEORGE STRAIT WILL RELEASE STRAIT OUT OF THE BOX: PART TWO EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH WALMART NOVEMBER 18TH.

    Strait out of the Box part 2

    George Strait will release Strait Out of the Box: Part 2 exclusively with Walmart on November 18th. This impressive three-disc, 56-track collection features 36 hit singles including 26 No. 1s plus two brand new songs, his latest radio single “Goin’ Goin’ Gone” and 18 choice album cuts, all personally selected by the King of Country Music.

    Strait Out of the Box: Part 2 spans 20 years of Strait’s career from 1996 to 2016, following the highly successful, 8x Platinum-selling 1995 release, Strait Out of the Box. Strait is one of the most celebrated country music stars in history and Billboard recently named him No. 1 on the Greatest of All Time: Country Artists list. With 60 No. 1 singles and more than 70 million records sold, Strait has more No. 1 songs than any other artist and is third only to Elvis Presley and The Beatles with the most Gold and Platinum albums in history. He is the most-nominated artist in CMA Awards history and was the first country music artist honored with Billboard’s Legend Of Live Award.

    Strait Out of the Box: Part 2 is now available for pre-order HERE and will only be available at Walmart and Walmart.com.

    Audio / George Strait, who recorded a couple of new songs for his upcoming box set, says he has a lot of fun in the recording studio.

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    George Strait (more comfortable in the studio) OC: …very nervous. :52
    “I’m definitely more comfortable in the studio these days. It took me a while. I mean, when you go into a studio for the first time with some pretty great players, it’s pretty intimidating. It was for me anyway. I was nervous, really nervous, and I’m sure it showed. But I think as you continue to be able to make records, you get a little more comfortable in the studio. A lot of the players are good friends of mine now, and I enjoy seeing ‘em and being with ‘em all week, however long we’re recording. So, it’s fun. I look forward to it these days; not that I didn’t look forward to it then. I mean, I was excited as hell to go and do it, you know, I was! Not a lot of people get to do that, but I was just very nervous.”

     

  • GEORGE STRAIT MAKES A GRAND RETURN TO VEGAS.

    LAS VEGAS, NV - SEPTEMBER 09:  (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Recording artist George Strait performs during one of his exclusive worldwide engagements, "Strait to Vegas" at T-Mobile Arena on September 9, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Essential Broadcast Media)

    LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 09: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Recording artist George Strait performs during one of his exclusive worldwide engagements, “Strait to Vegas” at T-Mobile Arena on September 9, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Essential Broadcast Media)

    Early Friday afternoon, before the doors opened at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena for only its second pair of Strait to Vegas shows of 2016, George Strait stood in the nearly-empty arena thumbing his Merle Haggard Signature Telecaster, contemplating his set list for the night. As his Ace in the Hole Band ran through selections from the man the Dallas Morning News dubbed as “the most influential genre artist of the last 30 years,” BMI Icon Award winner and longtime collaborator and friend of Strait’s, Dean Dillon, sat in for the rehearsal, almost as if an extension of the tight-knit, 11-piece backing band for the King of Country. For those few witnesses in the soon-to-be-at-capacity, less-than-a-year-old arena, it was a sign of what was to come – a night where Strait’s smooth vocals spotlighted the poignant writing and influencers that have contributed to his storied career  – one that has amassed 60 No. 1 singles and counting. 

    As the arena filled to capacity, the energy was palpable. With nearly five months since his last show, Strait’s fans were brimming with anticipation. Seemingly appropriate, he met their excitement and kicked off the night with “Here For A Good Time,” a song Strait penned with  Dillon and his son Bubba that became Strait’s first No. 1 as a songwriter.

    “You have no idea how good your voices sound tonight,” Strait commented before taking a detour just a few songs in to pay tribute to one of his biggest influences, Merle Haggard, again enlisting the telecaster he teased in rehearsal. “I’m going to play a few songs from someone who was my musical hero and probably the reason I’m standing on this stage right now…” Strait shared before playing a medley of “Mama Tried,” “Workin’ Man Blues” and “My Life’s Been Grand.”

    Next, Strait pulled up two wooden stools and invited the man with whom he shares 55 songs with, Dillon, up to the stage, only insisting he sit adjacent to him this time and share the spotlight and tales. The pair swapped memories – and praise for each other – while the crowd relished in their storied exchange.

    “I’ll never forget. A buddy of mine pulled his car up on the sidewalk on Music Row one day playing George Strait [in the car stereo] and asked, ‘who does he sound like?’,” shared Dillon. “I said, ‘well, I think he’s got his own thing.’ We had this thing; we just wrote and was gonna pitch to Johnny Paycheck, but he was in jail, and so instead we pitched it to George. And that song was ‘Unwound,’” Dillon continued, candidly revealing the song’s origin while grinning. “I don’t get nervous [saying that] until I’m sitting up here with the King of Country Music.”

    Strait was quick to return the admiration, “That’s nice of you to say that, but I’m a bit nervous up here with you! I’ve been really fortunate to write some songs with Dean, and hopefully we’ll do that some more,” he said while smiling at his friend. With that, they traded verses while performing “Honky Tonk Crazy” and “Nobody In His Right Mind Would’ve Left Her” before Dillon left the stage to a standing ovation.

    Strait retired the stools after those two songs with Dillon and went into the latter part of his 30+ song set before reinvigorating the crowd with a four-song encore that closed with his hit from 1984, “The Cowboy Rides Away.”

    For an artist with so many celebrated successes and hits, it was clear from tonight’s show that Strait’s focus right now is on the craft, the songs and the stories. For the five-time Entertainer of the Year, it was a chance to celebrate his influences as well as look ahead to some things he’s yet to say. For the 17,000+ crowd, it was a night they won’t soon forget.

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Chris, Sam, Darius, Mickey

    Chris Stapleton picked up the trophy for Artist of the Year at the 15th Annual Americana Awards Wednesday night (September 21st). The awards show was held at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. “Thank you to all the Americana radio stations out there, it’s been a big part of what we’ve been doing,” Chrissaid, genuinely touched by the Artist of the Year award. “I’m nervous, there’s so many heroes out here in audience and up here on the stage, this is a remarkable thing.”

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    George Strait attended the 15th Annual Americana Awards this week to present singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

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    Sam Hunt will be one of the headliners at the 5th Annual Taste of Country Music Festival. He’ll join previously announced headliner Jason Aldean at next year’s festival, being held June 9th – 11th at Hunter Mountain Resort in Hunter, New York.

    Darius Rucker shot the video for his latest single, “If I Told,” at the top of the Capitol building in Los Angeles on Wednesday (September 21st).


    Mickey Guyton performed her single, “Heartbreak Song,” on NBC’s Today show on Wednesday (September 21st).

    Video / Mickey Guyton performs "Heartbreak Song" on Today Show.

  • NEWS & NOTES: Strait, Keith, Jon, Lady A

    George Strait will present singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale with this year’s Americana Music Association’s Wagonmaster Award, a special lifetime achievement honor reserved for the most valuable contributors to the course and history of America’s only broad roots music format. George has recorded 14 songs written by Lauderdale, including “What Do You Say to That” and “Where the Sidewalk Ends.” The award, named for country music icon Porter Wagoner, will be presented on September 21st during the 15th Annual Honors & Awards Show at the Ryman Auditorium.

    Keith Urban is the presenting sponsor for The 30th Annual Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament at Nashville’s Old Natchez Country Club August 15th. The event will benefit United Cerebral Palsy Of Middle Tennessee.

    Jon Pardi will appear on CMT’s Hot 20 beginning at 9am ET on Saturday (July 29th).

    Lady Antebellum will be presented with the Music Heals Award by Musicians On Call August 9th in Nashville as part of the Half A Million Moments campaign. The event celebrates the organization’s milestone of performing for half a million patients, families and caregivers.

     

  • ON THIS DATE IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY: June 3rd

    On this date (June 3rd) in 2006, Dierks Bentley‘s “Settle for a Slowdown” hit No. 1 on the country charts.

    On this date (June 3rd) in 2009, George Strait‘s Troubadour album was certified platinum by the R.I.A.A. (Recording Industry Association of America).

  • MOTHER’S DAY LINERS 2016

    Audio / LINER Brothers Osborne (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey! What’s up guys! We’re Brothers Osborne, wishing all you mothers out there a very, very Happy Mother’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Canaan Smith (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey! What’s up, guys? I’m Canaan Smith. Happy Mother’s Day!”

    Audio / LINER Clare Dunn (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey! What’s up? This is Clare Dunn, hoping you have a Happy Mother’s Day.”

     

    Audio / LINER Darius (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey y’all, what’s up? This is Darius Rucker, hoping you have a Happy Mother’s Day.

    Audio / LINER Dierks (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey, y’all! This is Dierks Bentley, wishing all you mothers out there a Happy Mother’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Eric Church (Mother’s Day) 1

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    “Hey everybody! This is Eric Church, wishing you a Happy Mother’s Day. Happy Mother’s Day, mom!”

    Audio / LINER Eric Paslay (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey! This is Eric Paslay. Happy Mother’s Day to all you awesome Mom’s out there.”

    Audio / LINER George Strait (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hi! This is George Strait, wishing you a Happy Mother’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Jon Pardi (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey y’all, it’s Jon Pardi. I want to wish all the mamas out there a very Happy Mother’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Josh Turner (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hi! This is Josh Turner, wishing you a Happy Mother’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Kacey Musgraves (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey! It’s Kacey Musgraves. To all you mothers out there, Happy Mother’s Day!”

     

    Audio / LINER Keith Urban (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hi everyone, it’s Keith Urban. Hoping all the mothers out there have a very, very Happy Mother’s Day. Love ya, Mom!”

    Audio / LINER Kelleigh Bannen (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hi! I’m Kelleigh Bannen, hoping you have a Happy Mother’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER LBT (Mother’s Day)

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    “(ALL) Hi! This is Little Big Town. (KIMBERLY) We want to wish all you mothers out there a Happy Mother’s Day. I love ya, Mama!”

    Audio / LINER Luke Bryan (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey! It’s Luke Bryan, hoping all you mothers out there have a Happy Mother’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Sam Hunt (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey! This is Sam Hunt, wishing you a very Happy Mother’s Day.

    Audio / LINER Shania Twain (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hi! This is Shania Twain. Happy Mother’s Day.”