» www.people.com

Musical icon George Strait announced his plans for his final two-year tour – The Cowboy Rides Away Tour.  In a press conference live from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Strait revealed the first 21 markets he will visit during the winter and spring legs of his 2013 tour.  Special guest Martina McBride is set to join Strait for the 2013 dates, which begin on January 18 in Lubbock, Texas.

Strait, who celebrated his 60th birthday earlier this year, shared, “This is going to be a very special, emotional tour for me. Everywhere we’re going holds fond memories and I’m looking forward to paying my respects.”  Strait plans to continue recording new music and play select dates around the country following the completion of the tour. 

The Cowboy Rides Away Tour will offer fans a final opportunity to take in Strait’s live show filled with hits from throughout his remarkable career.  

Strait has thus far yielded 59 No. 1 songs, has earned more than 60 major industry awards, and has sold over 65 million albums.  He is the only artist in music history to achieve at least one Top Ten hit each year during his 30-year career and was only the second artist at the time (after Eddy Arnold in 1966) to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame (2006) while still actively recording and producing chart topping hits and albums.   

One of the most spectacular voices in any genre of music, McBride has sold more than 18 million albums and has garnered six No. 1 singles. She is the “most played female artist on country radio for the past 11 years,” according to both Mediabase and Broadcast Data Systems (BDS). The breadth of her talents – as recording artist, producer, songwriter, and concert entertainer – has made her an in-demand performer and personality. Among her hits are such empowering songs as "Independence Day," "This One's for the Girls," and "A Broken Wing," all of which have underscored her incredible popularity as one of music's preeminent female vocalists.

George Strait fan club members will have an opportunity to purchase tickets beginning at 10 a.m. in the venue’s respective time zone on Oct. 9, 2012, and tickets available to the general public will be available for purchase beginning Oct. 12 (same time zone restraints apply). Ticket prices start at $69.50 and may be purchased at www.georgestrait.com. 

THE COWBOY RIDES AWAY – 2013 TOUR DATES

JAN 18  |  Lubbock, Texas  | United Spirit Arena

JAN 19  |  Oklahoma City, Okla.  | Chesapeake Energy Arena

JAN 25  |  Salt Lake City, Utah  |  Energy Solutions Arena

JAN 26  |  Nampa, Idaho  |  Idaho Center

JAN 31  |  Sacramento, Calif.  |  Power Balance Pavilion

FEB 1   |  Fresno, Calif.  |  Save Mart Center

FEB 2  |  Las Vegas, Nev.  |  MGM Grand Garden Arena

FEB 15  |  St. Paul, Minn.  |  Xcel Energy Center

FEB 16  |  Grand Forks, N.D.  |  The Alerus Center

FEB 22  |  Buffalo, N.Y.  |  First Niagara Center

FEB 23  |  Hartford, Conn.  |  XL Center

MAR 1  |  Knoxville, Tenn.  |  Thompson-Boling Arena

MAR 2  |  Lexington, Ky.  |  Rupp Arena

MAR 17  |  Houston, Texas  |  Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo*

MAR 22  |  Greenville, S.C.  |  Bi-Lo Center

MAR 23  |  Greensboro, N.C.  |  Greensboro Coliseum Complex

APR 5  |  Albuquerque, N.M.  | The Pit

APR 6  |  Las Cruces, N.M.  |  Pan American Center

APR 12  |  N. Little Rock, Ark.  |  Verizon Arena

APR 13  |  New Orleans, La.  |  New Orleans Arena 

JUN 1  |  San Antonio, Texas  |  Alamodome**

*Denotes previously announced tour date featuring Martina McBride and the Randy Rogers Band.

** On Sale TBD

Additional markets to be announced for 2013 and 2014. 

For more information on George Strait and for tour updates, please visit www.GeorgeStrait.com or follow Strait on Facebook and Twitter.

» texasgolfermagazine.com

George Strait does it again! His current single "Love's Gonna Make It Alright" off his latest CD HERE FOR A GOOD TIME lands the Number One spot this week on mediabase radio chart.  This feat ironically marks his 59th career number one hit for the 59 year old country music superstar.  "Love's Gonna Make It Alright" written by Al Anderson and Chris Stapleton is one of the few Strait did not write with son Bubba and longtime pal Dean Dillon for this album . 

"You know, I’ve always thought that whether I’m writing or not, I’ve gotta pick the best songs, whether or not they’re mine," says Strait.  "I’m not gonna sing ‘em just because I wrote ‘em. I’ve gotta find the best songs to make the best record I can. I think all of these songs deserve to be on the record."

Here For A Good Time, debuted at Number One on the Billboard Country Album Charts  (his 3^rd number one album debut in a row) and #3 on Billboard Top 200 Chart (behind Lil Wayne & Adele).  Strait co-produced this album with his long-time friend and legendary producer Tony Brown at Shrimpboat Sound Studio in Key West, FL - the same studio where Strait recorded his last three award-winning albums. The Country Music Hall of Famer co-wrote seven of the album’s 11 tracks with his son Bubba and legendary songwriter Dean Dillon.

With a career spanning more than 30 years, George Strait has the most number one singles of any artist in history including Elvis.  He has sold nearly 69 million records and with 33 different platinum or multi-platinum albums has the most RIAA platinum certifications in country music and the third in all genres, behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley. Strait was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006. 

George Strait is the only artist who has had 85 out of 90 radio singles make it to Top 10 and 24 albums at the number one position on Billboard’s Country Music Album Chart. 

For more information, visit:  www.georgestrait.com

In what has become a recent highlight of Country Radio Seminar week in Nashville, Universal Music Group Nashville held its third annual artist showcase at the famed Ryman Auditorium with a mix of veteran, newly established and up-and-coming artists from their roster.
 
The label made sure to tell attendees to be prompt so as to not miss a very special performance. That turned out to be a two-song set by the legendary and mostly reclusive George Strait, who was making his first appearance at CRS in more than a decade. The crooner, who holds a Billboard Country Songs record with 44 No. 1s, performed "I'll Always Remember You," from his recent album "Here For a Good Time," and his 2008 hit "Troubadour."

For many in the crowd, an appearance by Strait at CRS was akin to an Elvis sighting on Broadway. The singer was as smooth as always and relayed his thrill with being on stage -- even 30+ years into his career -by saying, "My feet don't touch the ground 'til I walk of the stage."

For the full Billboard Article checkout Billboard.biz

Winners will get 2 tickets for the George Strait tour. We’re giving away tickets for multiple shows, so pick the venue that’s closest to you and enter to win tickets for that night! Read the offical rules and enter the sweepstakes on facebook.com

MCA Recording Artist, George Strait is currently the featured Artist of the Month at Nashville's Famed Loveless Cafe!

For those of you in the Nashville area, or heading through for you holiday travels, swing on by the Loveless and help them celebrate their 60th birthday by pulling up a chair to enjoy some country ham, hashbrown casserole or several of their famous biscuits. While you're there, please remember to enter to win a George Strait autographed guitar, autographed copies of Here for a Good Time and other great prizes!

For the folks staying put this Holiday Season, fret not! Simply CLICK HERE to enter to win all the prizes mentioned above as well--and feel free to order someone special (or yourself) a gift basket or some of their amazing preserves.

Check out Loveless Cafe's Facebook page for updates and more!
Happy 60th Birthday, Loveless!

Nominations for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards® (www.grammy.com) were announced this week by The Recording Academy® and reflected an eclectic mix of the best and brightest in music over the past year, as determined by the voting members of The Academy.  Superstar George Strait received a Grammy nod for Best Country Album for his recent release HERE FOR A GOOD TIME.  This marks his 4^th album in a row to be nominated for the prestigious Grammy award.

Strait’s 39^th studio album HERE FOR A GOOD TIME received rave reviews and is his eighth consecutive studio album to debut at #1 on the Top Country Album chart and his 24th overall #1 album.  His CD also debuted at #3 on The Billboard 200 (behind Lil Wayne and Adele).

The title track “Here For A Good Time,” written by Strait, his son Bubba Strait and songwriter Dean Dillon, is his 58th number one single. This also marks Strait’s first number one as a songwriter (an accomplishment he proudly shares with his son).  His current single “Love’s Gonna Make It Alright” is currently at #32 on Mediabase and #28 on Billboard radio charts.

January 2012 begins a new year and a new tour for Superstar George Strait. The King of Country kicks off his 2012 tour January 27^th in Lafayette, Louisiana and to date, the tour itinerary includes stops in Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, Arizona, Oklahoma, Nevada, Utah and Kansas. For tour information, visit www.georgestrait.com/tour.

George Strait has the most number one singles of any artist in history including Elvis (58 to date inclusive of all charts).  He has had 84 out of 89 radio singles make it to Top 10 (73 of them Top 5 hits). The Texas native has sold nearly 69 million records and with 33 different platinum or multi-platinum albums has the most RIAA platinum certifications in country music and the third in all genres, behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley.  Strait was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006.

For the fourth year, nominations for the annual GRAMMY Awards were announced on primetime television as part of "The GRAMMY® Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night®," a one-hour special broadcast live on CBS from Nokia Theatre at L.A. LIVE.

The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on "GRAMMY Sunday," Feb. 12, 2012, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

“I first came to Nashville around 1977 and at that time, I was told I was ‘too country,’” says George Strait.  “Later on, around 1981, I wasn’t ‘too country’ anymore.”

The irony of a musical scene that changed enough in just a few years to create a climate in which his Texas-flavored, traditional-country twang could take root and thrive-makes him smile.  “Funny, ain’t it?”

Since then, he’s been laughing all the way to the band-and the top of the charts.

Now, with the release of his new CD, Here For A Good Time, Strait has amassed a pile of 24 chart-topping country albums, celebrated more No. 1 singles (57 and counting) than any other artist in any genre, and been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

“It was my dream, and it’s still my dream, to go out and make good records and write some great songs,” says Strait, 59, whose hits include “Unwound,” “Amarillo By Morning,” and “The Fireman.”

Those musical dreams began rather unceremoniously in 1972 while he was serving in the U.S. Army.

Stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, the Poteet, Texas native was working as an Army finance clerk when he scraped together enough money to buy a cheap guitar and some old Hank Williams songbooks.  He started plunking out country songs, and within a year, his promising talent caught the attention of fellow servicemen and musician, Walt Peters.

“The commanding general asked me to put together a soldier band,” recalls Peters, now 67, retired and living in Savannah, GA.  “I’d already auditioned about 90 guys, and I didn’t have the singer I needed.  I auditioned George and the first time I heard him sing, I knew he had something.”

In 1973, Strait joined Peters’ Army-sponsored band, Rambling Country, and began performing regularly at military clubs and wherever fellow troops needed entertaining.  Somewhere over the next two years, Strait made a stylistic decision that would in no small part define his image: He put on a cowboy hat. 

The look fit perfectly with his affinity for traditional country and Western tunes.  “Our little band really helped George develop his sound,” Peters says.  “It helped to shape it into what you hear today.”

Following an honorable discharge from the Army in 1975, Strait and wife Norma- his high school sweetheart and, today, wife of nearly 40 years- returned home to Texas.  He enrolled in Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos and set about studying agriculture.

But he never stopped dreaming of music, and one day he responded to a campus flyer from a band in need of a singer.  It would become the first incarnation of the Ace in the Hole Band.  The group, which still backs Strait today, quickly built a regional following in Texas dance halls, and the music business took notice.

His 1981 debut album, Strait Country, reflected the traditional foundation on which he continues to consistently build

“Early on, however, there were pressures for me to cut crossover-type songs,” he says.  “It’s hard to resist those pressures when you’ve first go the record deal that you’ve been dreaming about and don’t want to blow it.  Thinking back on it now, that’s probably exactly what would have happened had I done that.”

That same musical integrity has been passed on to Strait’s son, Bubba, 30, who helped write seven songs on Strait’s new album.

“I’m very proud of Bubba and the fact that he’s taken an interest in the music business like his old dad,” says Strait, who’ll be touring with fellow country hitmaker Martina McBride in support of Here For A Good Time beginning in January.  “That’s rewarding for me.”

Strait’s recent hit single, “Here For A Good Time,” shares writing credits with Bubba and acclaimed tunesmith Dean Dillon.  Strait recalls that the song was his son’s idea.  “I think it was the first one we wrote,” he says.  “Dean said, “Whatya got, Bubba?’ He said, ‘Well, I like this, [singing] I’m not here for a long time, but I’m here for a good time.’ And that’s how that one started.”

The writing trio also penned the heartfelt “I’ll Always Remember You,” a love song to fans that reflects Strait’s deppe appreciation for his admirers and the unwavering support they’ve given him over the years.  He sings, “I’m not saying I’m through by any means/ ‘Cause there’s still things that I want to say and do/ I hope you won’t forget me, cause we’ve shared a lot of dreams/And just know that I’ll always remember you.”

Even for the veteran performer, it’s a tough song emotionally to perform.  “It’s exactly how I feel, and it’s hard to sing it,” Strait says. “It was hard to do in the studio.  I was choking up, and I’m sure it’ll be that way on stage, too.  It’ll be hard, but I just want all my fans to know how much they do mean to me.”

It’s a genuine reaction from a soft-spoken superstar who’s as humble as he is successful.

“I’m not better than anybody else,” he says.  “I’ve been very blessed to be able to do what I do.”

WRANGLING PATRIOTISM

George Strait’s days of military service are far behind him, but the country star has never forgotten his fellow veterans.

Since 2010, Strait has served as spokesman for the Wrangler National Patriot program, a campaign designed to raise awareness and funds for America’s wounded and fallen military veterans and their families.

“I’ve been a part of the Wrangler family for a long time,” says Strait, who’s endorsed Wrangler Western Wear apparel throughout much of his career.  “When they came to me with the idea for supporting fallen and wounded American veterans and their families, I knew I wanted to get involved.”

Wrangler founded the program in December 2009 with a $50,000 donation.  Since then, the company has donated a portion of proceeds from its National Patriot line of clothing and accessories to various charities that provide support to military veterans and their families.  The shirts, jeans, and other clothing items are sold at rodeos across the country, as well as specialty retailers that carry Wrangler Western Wear.

“Because I’m a veteran myself, I know how important it is simply for the men and women serving our country to know we’re behind them,” says Strait.  “To be able to help them financially during tough times is just that much more special.”

Beyond direct involvement, the company encourages rodeo organizations nationwide to create their own fundraising events and helps locally based charities with similar goals. 

“I’m proud to support the Wrangler National Patriot program and the great work Wrangler is doing for our soldiers,” Strait says. 

George Strait notches his 58^th number one single with “Here For A Good Time” – a song he co-wrote with his son Bubba and legendary songwriter Dean Dillon. This also marks his first number one as a songwriter (an accomplishment he proudly shares with his son).

George Strait has the most number one singles of any artist in history including Elvis (58 to date inclusive of all charts).  He has had 84 out of 89 radio singles make it to Top 10 (73 of them Top 5 hits). The Texas native has sold nearly 69 million records and with 33 different platinum or multi-platinum albums has the most RIAA platinum certifications in country music and the third in all genres, behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley.  Strait was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006.
  
 His CD Here For A Good Time debuted at #1 on the Top Country Albums chart and #3 on The Billboard 200 (behind Lil Wayne and Adele). Here For A Good Time is Strait’s eighth consecutive studio album to debut at #1 on the Top Country Album chart and his 24^th overall #1 album.

January 2012 begins a new year and a new tour for Superstar George Strait. The King of Country kicks off his 2012 tour January 27^th in Lafayette, Louisiana and to date, the tour itinerary includes stops in Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, Arizona, Oklahoma, Nevada, Utah and Kansas. 

The February 4^th Las Vegas appearance will go on sale Saturday, October 29^th with other ticket on-sale dates announced soon.

Year after year, night after night, when it comes to showing fans a good time whether it’s on the road or on the radio, Strait always delivers the kind of country music fans nationwide hunger for.  This year he’s invited another award-winning country music superstar to join him on stage – Martina McBride.

“I love Martina. She’s been on our tours before and she’s great,“ commented Strait.  “I’m really looking forward to the tour. Martina will definitely make it a special night.”

Strait’s 39^th studio album HERE FOR A GOOD TIME received rave reviews and recently debuted at Number One on the Billboard Country Album Charts (his 3rd number one album debut in a row) and #3 on Billboard Top 200 Chart.  The title track “Here For A Good Time,” written by Strait, his son Bubba Strait and songwriter Dean Dillon, is Strait’s 73rd Top 5 hit out of 89 career singles and sits at Number 2 this week on the Billboard and Mediabase/Country Aircheck charts. 

“Obviously with each new album, Strait proves he's not living off the heat from those first initial hits,” says Houston Chronicle while USA Today reports “Strait hasn't lost his touch for finding astonishing material...”

George Strait has the most number one singles of any artist in history including Elvis (57 to date inclusive of all charts).  He has sold nearly 69 million records and with 33 different platinum or multi-platinum albums has the most RIAA platinum certifications in country music and the third in all genres, behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley.  He is the only artist who has had 84 out of 89 radio singles make it to Top 10 (57 to Number One) and 24 albums at the number one position on Billboard’s Country Music Album Chart.

2012 TOUR DATES

For more information and 2012 tour updates, visit:  www.georgestrait.com

Martina McBride celebrated the release of her eleventh studio album, ELEVEN, on Republic Nashville this week with "ELEVEN Across America Powered by Amtrak," a four-day train ride with 11 stops, which culminatesin New York City where she will light the Empire State Building pink.  The current single, “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” is climbing the

charts at radio and has seen steady online digital sales since it was released on August 19. The music video for I'm Gonna Love Your Through It" garnered over 150,000 downloads as the iTunes "Video of The Week" and features dozens of cancer survivors and supporters, including four well-known celebrities – Robin Roberts (anchor for ABC’s Good Morning

America); Hoda Kotb (anchor for NBC’s TODAY Show); Grammy award-winning

singer Sheryl Crow and ABC journalist Katie Couric – who each have very personal connections to the disease.

As one of the most spectacular voices in any genre of music, Martina McBride is a four-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, three-time ACM Female Vocalist of the Year and GRAMMY® winning recording artist with more than18 million in album sales.  Recently she was nominated for both CMA and CMT Music Awards.

Both Mediabase and Broadcast Data Systems (BDS) have also declared her as the “most played female artist on country radio for the past 11 years.”  The superstar has appeared on such high-profile programs as VH1 Divas, Dancing with the Stars, the Today show's "Today Throws a Wedding," American Idol, Oprah, The Bachelorette, Private Sessions, a 20/20 special and will be a guest on The Late Show with David Letterman (10/13) and Good Morning America (10/14) later this week. Martina has also graced the covers of publications like Redbook, Ladies Home Journal, People Magazine, Country Weekly and Shape. For more on Martina, please visit martinamcbride.com.

GEORGE STRAIT

HERE FOR A GOOD TIME

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USA Today: “Strait hasn’t lost his touch for finding astonishing material”

Entertainment Weekly chose it as one of the Fall’s biggest albums (2011)

People: ”Three decades into a phenomenally successful career, George Strait never phones it in.

Great American Country: “it’s apparent that the 59-year-old Country Music Hall of Famer is as sharp as ever when it comes to crafting vivid story-songs that command the listener’s attention long after the album’s over.” –

American Songwriter: “One of country music’s steadiest figures”

The New York Times: “George Strait is a model of reserve, balance and craft.”

Los Angeles Times: "George Strait has picked up the songwriting ball comparatively late in life, but he’s running with it full tilt.”

The Philadelphia Inquirer: “Strait's now-30-year recording career has been marked by unwavering artistic integrity as well as commercial clout, and, like his impeccable appearance - crisp shirt and jeans and cowboy hat - that shows no signs of changing. If anything, going back at least to 2009's excellent Twang, the singer sounds newly invigorated, as evidenced in part by his renewed interest in writing.

The Dallas Morning News: “Here For A Good Time” truly showcases his way with crafting words and music.” ….. “This disc announces the arrival of George Strait the songwriter.”

Associated Press: “Thirty years after his MCA Records debut, George Strait is making the most adventurous music of his career.”

Associated Press: “Strait has spent his career defying music industry conventions; as he starts his fourth decade as a star, he's proving that Nashville's focus on youth still has to make room for an old-timer who's making music as undeniably strong as ever.”

Austin American-Statesman: “George Strait makes the best George Strait album of anyone.”

The Boston Globe: “Justifiably earned the sobriquet King George”

“George has always made music that is timeless. It doesn’t chase the trends or the latest image of country music. His sound and style have remained constant and true,” says Granger Smith, a San Marcos-based performer who’s scored seven Top 10 singles on the Texas Music Chart.

Granger Smith (Texas music artist): “Texas is a way of life, and George Strait’s music mimics the heartbeat.”

Houston Chronicle: “Strait’s career trek isn’t just impressive. It’s legitimately incredible.”

Houston Chronicle: “Obviously with each new album, Strait proves he's not living off the heat from those first initial hits.”

The Miami Herald: “Leave it to King George to save the country industry from the generic malaise it has been mired in for the last year or so.”

The Salt Lake Tribune: “This album shows why Strait continues to be one of the top-selling recording artists in any genre.”

San Antonio Express News: “His most personal [album]”

The Oklahoman: "King George doesn't appear to be fading in his ability to churn out a quality country album.”

The Virginia Pilot: “Even if you have to forgo a meal or two, buy George Strait’s 39th studio album …..Outstanding songs abound …. ‘Here for a Good Time’ is an album his fans will appreciate.”

Houston Press: “Obviously with each new album, Strait proves he's not living off the heat from those first initial hits, like some artists his age.”

Lone Star Music: "George Strait remains the standard by which all modern mainstream country singers are judged — as much for his classic cowboy demeanor and ability to sing songs like he’s talking to a friend as for the quality of songs he’s chosen over the course of a career that’s spanned three decades.”

The Sunday Okland Press: ”He’s a country singer’s country singer, a traditional holdout who’s happy t keep the fiddles wailing and the pedal steels weeping while the young ‘uns try to cross over to the pop charts.”

COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE: “The standout track is ‘Shame on Me’. Interestingly, this is written by only Bubba and his dad, and it is a shining example of the perfect George Strait record. It actually sounds as though it could have come from the pen of Jim Lauderdale.”

Maverick: "This album is a musical statement from the man whose name it bears. It is a name that means sincerity, honesty and class. George Strait is a name that completely defines the word ‘country music.’”

Monsters & Critics: “Country music icon George Strait’s new studio album ‘Here For a Good Time’ is the perfect example of what has made the singer a legend in his genre and that he is still at the top of his game.”

Music News Nasvhille: “This might be the most unique Strait album yet…. this album is proof why Strait is as universally loved as he is. Get ready to add another chapter to one of the greatest stories in Country Music history!”

Slant Magazine: “It's this willingness to take some calculated risks with his trademark sound and to develop his voice as a songwriter that makes Strait's most recent run the richest and most rewarding of his career, and Here for a Good Time is both a good time and a new peak for Strait.”

St. Cloud Times: “This is another win for George”

Times Record News: “It is without a doubt the best and most countrified country album I've heard all year …. "Here for a Good Time" is as close to a perfect country album as I've ever heard, and I hope it keeps his name at the top of everyone's charts.”

Taste of Country: ‘Here For a Good Time’ proves he still belongs amongst the upper crust of male country singers. No one can accuse him of living off a legacy.”

Taste of Country: “His career has crossed three decades because he never gets complacent and is never afraid to take chances.”

Today's Country: “This album is a perfect combination of what Strait has done best throughout the years offering longtime fans what they’ve come to expect from him, but by writing a majority of the songs on the album, for the first time Strait gives you a piece of him as well.”

– If a talented country music artist is lucky, they have a hit song or two on the radio. If luckier, they might have a number one selling album sometime in their career. Accomplishing this feat multiple times and becoming a mainstay in the music business is something the elite few enjoy. But there is only one artist who has had 84 out of 89 radio singles make it to Top 10 (57 to Number One) and 24 albums at the number one position on Billboard’s Country Album chart – George Strait.

Strait continues to defy the odds, live up to the royal praise and deliver what only “King George” can do. His newly released album, Here For A Good Time, debuted at Number One on the Billboard Country Album Charts this week (his 3^rd number one album debut in a row) and #3 on Billboard Top 200 Chart (behind Lil Wayne & Adele) with first week sales of 91,414.

The title track “Here For A Good Time,” written by Strait, his son Bubba Strait and songwriter Dean Dillon, is Strait’s 89th career single and sits at Number 8^th this week on the Billboard and Mediabase/Country Aircheck charts. This marks his 84^th Top 10 radio hit and continues the unbelievable streak of having all but 5 singles in George Strait’s entire 30-year career reach the Top 10 mark (those five landed Top 20).

“Strait knows how to pick a song and tell a story…” reports The Salt Lake Tribune, “This album shows why Strait continues to be one of the top-selling recording artists in any genre.”

“Obviously with each new album, Strait proves he's not living off the heat from those first initial hits,” says Houston Chronicle.

“Strait hasn't lost his touch for finding astonishing material...” says USA Today.

“Strait has spent his career defying music industry conventions,” reports Associated Press.

“This album is a musical statement from the man whose name it bears. It is a name that means sincerity, honesty and class. George Strait is a name that completely defines the word ‘country music.’” – Maverick magazine

Strait once again co-produced this album with his long-time friend and legendary producer Tony Brown at Shrimpboat Sound Studio in Key West, FL - the same studio where Strait recorded his last three award-winning albums. The Country Music Hall of Famer co-wrote seven of the album’s 11 tracks with his son Bubba and legendary songwriter Dean Dillon.

With a career spanning more than 30 years, George Strait has the most number one singles of any artist in history including Elvis (57 to date inclusive of all charts). He has sold nearly 69 million records and with 33 different platinum or multi-platinum albums has the most RIAA platinum certifications in country music and the third in all genres, behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley. Strait was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006.

For more information and 2012 tour updates, visit: www.georgestrait.com

In case you missed George Strait’s interview on GAC’s Headline Country – CLICK HERE to watch Part 1.

George Strait Cracks Top 10 Yet Again; Close To Breaking Record
Posted Mon Sep 5, 2011 2:36pm PDT by Wendy Geller in Our Country

George Strait's "Good Time" is just getting better. Okay, I realize that's a pretty bad play on words, but the truth of the matter is--Strait has just inched a bit closer to breaking a major country-music record with his latest single.

"Here For A Good Time" cracked the Billboard Country Songs chart top 10 this week, when the new single moved from No. 11 to No. 9. This marks Strait's 84th top 10 single on that particular chart--and makes him just shy of the current record-holder, the late Eddy Arnold, who racked up 92 over the course of his career.

According to Billboard, Strait's first top 10 song on their country chart was "Unwound" in 1981. The industry publication notes that he's had at least one song in the top 10 on that chart every single year since. They don't call him the King of Country for nothin', folks!

King or not, however, he's still in second place to Arnold in terms of top 10s. However, Strait currently holds the record for most No. 1 songs on the Country Songs chart--and, given that he does not appear to be retiring nor losing popularity, it's a fairly safe bet that if he keeps putting out records he'll eventually take the top 10 top slot from Arnold (who passed away in 2008).

If you're curious as to who tails Strait in the No. 3 slot for most top 10s on the Country Songs chart, it's George Jones--who comes even closer to Strait than Strait does to Arnold, with 78 hit tunes.

Review: Strait Still Going Strong on New Album
By MICHAEL McCALL
September 6, 2011 (AP)

George Strait, "Here for a Good Time" (MCA Nashville)

Thirty years after his MCA Records debut, George Strait is making the most adventurous music of his career.

He still serves up the breadwinners — western swing, honky-tonk and smooth country ballads — that have made him one of the most enduring stars of all time. Yet, at age 59, he stretches out in his arrangements and themes in ways that challenge his remarkably pliant voice and that make statements he didn't dare in the past.

He's also writing more songs, a trend that started with his previous album "Twang." This time, Strait contributes seven songs, nearly doubling the number he's written in his career. He co-writes all of them, including the current hit — the wonderfully swinging "Here For A Good Time" — with his son Bubba Strait; six of them include assistance from Strait's favorite writer, Dean Dillon.

The Texan assumes the role of an alcoholic on two moving ballads, "Poison" and "Drinkin' Man"; he also takes on gospel ("Three Nails And A Cross") and old-time rock 'n' roll ("Blue Marlin Blues"), and he tackles two daring covers (Delbert McClinton's classic "Lone Star Blues" and Jesse Winchester's introspective "A Showman's Life").

Strait has spent his career defying music industry conventions; as he starts his fourth decade as a star, he's proving that Nashville's focus on youth still has to make room for an old-timer who's making music as undeniably strong as ever.

CHECK OUT THIS TRACK: "I'll Always Remember You," written by Strait, his son and Dillon, is the most autobiographical song the veteran has recorded. A love letter to his fans, the traditional country ballad includes a recitation reflecting on how he never expected to enjoy the career he has —and as grateful as he is, he's not done yet.

George Strait: Here For a Good Time

By Jewly Hight

September 7, 2011

George Strait?
Here For a Good Time?(MCA Nashville)?

Rating:

3 ½ stars

George Strait’s been comfortable in the role of song interpreter for three decades. For all that time he’s been selecting sturdy, traditional-leaning country compositions by, say, Dean Dillon or Jim Lauderdale and giving those numbers an easygoing, straight-and-true delivery. But who’s to say Strait can’t decide it’s time to turn singer/songwriter, even this late in the game?

After 37 studio albums worth of songs written by other folks, he wrote a few with his pro-rodeoing/songwriter son Bubba Strait and Dillon for 2009’s Twang. On Here For A Good Time, the father-son-and-Dillon co-writes are in the majority—seven of the 11 tracks. Contributing all that songwriting is something new for the elder Strait, but the songs themselves don’t amount to a radical departure for one of country music’s steadiest figures. One of them, “I’ll Always Remember You,” even commemorates the other side of the longevity equation: the 30-year faithfulness of his audience.

The new album gets its name from a sanguine, swinging original that’s as good as any good times song you’ll hear on contemporary country radio, and better than most. Strait’s sense of humor also comes through in his wonderfully wry cover of Delbert McClinton’s hard luck honky-tonker “Lone Star Blues.” On the other hand, “Blue Marlin Blues,” which arrives a few tracks later, is just plain hokey.

No matter what the album title reads, the bad, or at least pensive, times on this Strait set outnumber the good. But from a song quality perspective, that turns out not to be a bad thing at all. “Drinkin’ Man” and “Shame on Me” are back-to-back originals, the former a ballad that offers an unflinching account of addiction and the latter a top-notch two-step confession of a bruised heart. Strait follows those with a slow-burning reading of “Poison,” a well-crafted reflection on self-destructiveness by Chuck Cannon and Allen Shamblin.

But nothing on Here For A Good Time rings truer than Strait’s cover of Jesse Winchester’s road-weary chestnut “A Showman’s Life.” There’s no fuss to his performance. He leans into the most desperate lines and nearly lets his voice crack, all in the service of the thing he’s always been best at—making a heavyweight song hit home.

Quick spins: George Strait, Asa, St. Vincent

By Allison Stewart
September 7, 2011

George Strait
“Here For a Good Time”

Country’s best-known new traditionalist, Hall of Famer George Strait, has survived Garth Brooks, Taylor Swift and countless other genre scourges, adapting his sound only enough to survive. On his almost thoroughly excellent new disc (his 39th, all told), “Here for a Good Time,” he sticks to a familiar formula of sad songs and honky-tonk rave-ups, pathos and grit.

“Here for a Good Time” is populated by gentle, loping mid-tempo country songs that spotlight Strait’s boundless gift for sounding wistful and grave, contemplative and wry. He always sounds a little disappointed, as if he knows that you, the listener, could have done better if only you, the listener, had tried a little harder. It’s an approach codified on the ballad “Three Nails and a Cross,” partly about a frightened pregnant teen who finds religion: “She turns and sees that Bible laying by her bed / And she crumbles to her knees as she bows her head,” Strait sings, in a tone that suggests it’s about time.

Strait isn’t afraid to wring every last ounce of drama out of songs like the great road warrior ballad “A Showman’s Life,” which features nicely understated backing vocals by Faith Hill, or “Drinkin’ Man,” a dark, empathetic look at a lifelong alcoholic. He wraps things up with “I’ll Always Remember You,” an ode to Strait’s career and fans that ends with a spoken-word thank-you to the folks. It’s dated beyond words, something you might find on one of those Conway Twitty albums advertised on late-night TV in 1972. In anyone else’s hands it would have been hopelessly drippy; in Strait’s, it’s old school.

Recommended Tracks: “I’ll Always Remember You,” “A Showman’s Life”

Album review: George Strait's 'Here for a Good Time'
By: Randy Lewis
September 5, 2011 |

On his previous outing, 2009’s "Twang," Strait and his son, Bubba, crafted three songs, unusual for a man who had previously relied overwhelmingly on songs from other writers. This time he’s co-written seven of the 11 songs, with a couple of noteworthy results."Drinkin’ Man" is a -- no pun intended -- sobering look at the steep price an alcoholic pays because of his disease, allowing Strait to grapple with a topic that carries the kind of weight he doesn’t often try to heft. In the closing track, "I’ll Remember You," he delivers a heartfelt look back at his 30-year career, tipping his Resistol hat to the fans who’ve supported him along the way. It undoubtedly will make for a big moment at his live shows.Most of the rest of the material is classic Strait-style lite country, his eminently easygoing tenor effortlessly handling songs that skim the surface rather than plumb the depths of life. In doing so, at least he keeps the promise of the album’s title.
George Strait
"Here for a Good Time"
MCA Nashville
Two and a 1/2 stars (out of four)

GAC Album Review: George Strait’s Here For A Good Time

By Daryl Addison
September 1, 2011

What is it about George Strait that makes it so easy to pour your favorite beverage, press “Play” on the remote and nod along with every song? Thirty-nine studio albums in, it’s apparent that the 59-year-old Country Music Hall of Famer is as sharp as ever when it comes to crafting vivid story-songs that command the listener’s attention long after the album’s over. On Here For A Good Time, King George mixes lighthearted carpe diem with heartbreaking tragedy to create another “classic Strait” record.

George co-wrote seven of the album’s 11 songs, sharing most of the songwriting credits with son Bubba and writing partner Dean Dillon. This is the same lineup responsible for George’s Top 10 radio hit, “Living For The Night,” off his most recent record, Twang. The first single off the new album, title-track and current Top 15 radio song “Here For A Good Time,” is an optimistic, uptempo tune written by the trio that serves as a call to get up, get the party going and live like there’s no tomorrow. When I’m gone put it in stone, ‘He left nothing behind’/ I ain’t here for a long time/ I’m here for a good time, George sings with infectious energy. On “Blue Marlin Blues,” a tongue-in-cheek tale about being unable to haul in that elusive catch, a funky vocal melody is paired with traditional country instrumentation as George reels off, Seven hours later we still ain’t caught a thing/ Mood on this boat sure has changed. George’s smooth voice is at ease as he twists and turns through the line with an engrossing and accessible rhythm.

The songs on Here For A Good Time lean mostly traditional with a heavy dose of twang. “Lone Star Blues” kicks off with fiery fiddle and popping percussion before throwing in shout-outs to Texas landmarks like the famous Billy Bob’s Texas honky tonk in Fort Worth. I lost my wrist watch and my boots shootin’ dice with a dude from Houston, George sings, taking the listener on a lively, hard luck tour of Texas. The neo-traditional “Shame On Me,” with weeping pedal steel guitar, sounds like the jukeboxesoundtrack to a night spent alone at the local watering hole. I thought I won your heart, but you were still in love with him, George sings with quintessential honky tonk aching.

The album’s most powerful songs are those that deal with the darkest themes. “Drinkin’ Man,” (written by G. Strait, B. Strait and Dillon) is a poignant look at a life of alcoholism. The storytelling is nothing less than gripping as it begins with a 14-year-old getting drunk in the morning. Over soft acoustic picking, open guitar chords and dramatic percussion, George lays it all out there, I look into the mirror/ Bottle in my hand/ I’d like to pour it out/ I just don’t think I can, while he presents snapshots from the character’s life. “Poison,” atmospheric with reverb-heavy guitars, discusses the various vices to which we can all succumb. Here, George sings with a hint of despair, You can learn to love anything, even a bird in a cage’ll sing a song.

The album’s closing song, “I’ll Always Remember You,” is a heartfelt, open letter to his fans. It’s the most strikingly reflective song on the collection as it looks specifically at George’s storied career. I’m not saying I’m through by any means, he sings on the ballad, but the humble sentiment that he understands all his fans have given him is clear. After 30 years, George’s finest “Thank You” back to them is his steady devotion to his craft and ability to provide the level of quality his fans expect.

Listen Up: George Strait, Lindsey Buckingham, Hugh Laurie

By Brian Mansfield
September 6, 2011

George Strait, Here for a Good Time
* * * ½ (out of four) COUNTRY

The country great may not be contemplating retirement, but his latest finds him uncharacteristically reflective, covering Jesse Winchester's A Showman's Life and directly addressing his fans in I'll Always Remember You. Still, after 30 years, Strait hasn't lost his touch for finding astonishing material like Drinkin' Man, which may have the scariest second line of any country song ever written.