George Strait

[grg_straitfan]

[grg_straitfan]

[grg_straitfan]

[grg_straitfan]

[kora]

Tina,

You just answered my question that I asked in the PM about how you got the photos. They are wonderful! Your camera brought him close up for us. Thanks so much for sharing. Woo Hoo! We love that man and his singing.

Can't wait to hear all about the concert. No hurry. We can wait until you have the time. Know you're busy with job, new house, etc. Good to have you back here.

[grg_straitfan]

Asking for prayer request for my uncle. He collapsed at work today. We think its heart related. He is on machine. They can't seem to wake him up. My Aunt says doctors are cooling him with cold blankets. Tomorrow they will start warming him. If he doesn't wake up by Sunday, they are taking off the machine. My aunt called and is asking anybody and everybody to pray.

[kora]

Sending prayers, Tina. Hope everything works out for your uncle.

[kora]

Concert Review #2 - Las Vegas, NV, MGM Grand, 2/2/13

The Cowboy Rides Away’ – George Strait’s Farewell Concert
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February 18, 2013 by AudioAddiktion

Country enthusiasts from Las Vegas and beyond made a valiant effort to arrive early to the MGM Grand Garden Arena to witness the priceless farewell George Strait concert on February 2.

King George hit the stage at precisely 9:37 pm with, “Here for a Good Time,” and everyone in the sold out arena knew that with almost sixty number-one songs and over thirty years under his belt, this last performance in Las Vegas on his final tour was guaranteed to be a good time.

There wasn’t a bad seat in the house as George performed in the round, working one corner of the venue to the next to meet fans standing during his entire stay at each corner. Strait’s performance brought a constant wave of excitement unmatched by any performer to his loyal followers; the best performance he ever gave in Las Vegas.

Strait mentioned briefly that there was a lot of ground to cover musically, and proved why he was given the title of “King of Country Music.” He brought the audience back to 1978 with songs he first recorded including: “Oceanfront Front Property,” “Honky Tonk Crazy,” and “Marina Del Rey.”

George and Martina then performed a duet of “Jackson,” and “Golden Ring,” to the crowd’s delight. The faces of the attendees were lit up with pure enjoyment, including a young girl who was wearing a flashing neon cowgirl hat and sitting on the steps of the bleachers. The girl was watching intently and loving every moment of Strait’s performance.

Strait played his hit songs in chronological order from each decade beginning with the 80s, starting with: “Fire I Can’t Put Out,” “Amarillo By Morning,” and “The Chair,” encouraging the attendees to erupt with a roar of delight.

He then traveled through his 90’s top singles with fan favorites like: “King of Broken Hearts,” and “Where the Sidewalk Ends,” both from his starring role as Dusty in Pure Country. Strait explained his enjoyment portraying the character role of Dusty, mentioning that he believed his music career would last only five years. But, Strait has been blessed with over 30 years as a performer in the music business.

Shortly after, sponsor Chase Bank gave a home to a wounded veteran, which melted the hearts of the veteran and all of the attendees watching. Strait quickly transitioned to the 2000’s with his honorable song, “Give it Away,” and then played “River of Love,” and “Troubador.” It was obvious that no matter how much George Strait’s fans wanted this night to last forever, that it eventually would come to an end.

George spoke to his followers with heartfelt words saying, “I hope you know how much you mean to me,” and dedicated his next song, “I’ll Always Remember You” to all his admirers.

There was so much emotion emitting from his listeners; ranging from elated to be there, to sobbing and balling for an Encore.

“George!” “George!” “George!” chanted his supporters. As soon as he walked back onstage, the audience’s response was so loud that it was possible the people in the casino might have heard it.
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Strait’s encore continued with “All My Ex’s,” and Johnny Cash’s hit “Folsom Prison Blues.” It was quite fitting that the King’s last song was “The Cowboy Ride’s Away,” and so he did, leaving his longtime fans in complete amazement with a two and a half hour performance!

There was already talk amongst the crowd heading out of the arena that Strait will probably be back on the Strip performing with a residency within ten years, just as Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, and Cher have done. But for now, his last show was engraved deep in their memory, and will remain for eternity.

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This reviewer got it right. As I highlighted, it was the best George Strait concert ever in Las Vegas. In fact, It was the best George concert I have ever seen. The audience noise and response to the country singer they love was over the top most of the night, and we called his name over and over and stomped and yelled for him to come back for an encore. It was quite a night, and one that I won't forget.

[kora]

Concert Review #3 - Grand Forks, ND, Alerus Center, 2/16/13

By Jack Dura

Published: Wednesday, February 20, 2013


It is not too often when a concert’s opening act is as legendary as its main performer. Such was the case with the big-voiced Martina McBride and country legend George Strait, who hit the Alerus Center in Grand Forks on Feb. 16 as part of Strait’s The Cowboy Rides Away Tour.

One stop on the first leg of Strait’s final tour, the Alerus Center was packed to the gills with over 20,000 fans. Unofficial reports have declared Strait and McBride’s concert as the most-attended in Alerus Center history, edging out the 2002 record set by Cher. This comes as no surprise to those who recognize George Strait as the king of country music and Martina McBride as one of its biggest voices.

McBride’s 20-plus years in country music were highlighted in her 70-minute set list. Hauling out a string of hits that never failed to impress, McBride gave an explosive performance that proved her voice was as untarnished as ever. From the rocking “Teenage Daughters” to the beautiful “I’m Gonna Love You Through It” and the empowering “This One’s for the Girls,” McBride soared through her set list. Reaching her peak on “A Broken Wing,” McBride shook the Alerus Center like a can of coke in a performance that showed the songstress can still contend with her younger country counterparts.

Ending on her signature hit “Independence Day,” McBride left the center-placed stage and gave the venue enough time for its fans to recharge for the main event: George Strait.

Preceded onstage by his Ace in the Hole Band, Strait claimed the spot left by McBride to an uproarious reply from the 20,000-plus fans. Upon introducing his bandmates, Strait dove right into his show, rattling off hit songs and album highlights like “Here For a Good Time,” “Ocean Front Property” and “A Showman’s Life.”

Several songs in, McBride scampered back onstage for two duets with Strait before departing once more. Strait then took his audience on a time machine ride back to 1978 and his first days in Nashville, performing early songs like “80 Proof Bottle of Tear-Stopper” and “Honkytonk Crazy.”

Strait also treated each section of fans to some face-time, as the stage was centrally located, allowing everyone in the venue to have a view of the performer. McBride performed in a similar fashion, but moved and danced around the stage during her set list.

Strait’s performance seemed to end with the bittersweet “Troubadour,” but he and his band returned once more for four final songs that included the classic “All My Exes Live in Texas.” Strait then bowed and waved goodbye to his adoring fans, leaving the stage for what very well may have been the last time in North Dakota.

While the venue’s concert was exceptionally impressive, the venue itself left a very different impression upon leaving it.

While the parking and traffic coordination was a bitter frustration, the performances of two of country music’s superstars made spirits very high indeed. McBride was a bombshell and Strait said goodbye to his fans of the Midwest in the best way he could-- by just singing his songs.

[kora]

Concert Note from Grand Forks, ND, Alerus Center, 2/16/13

Alerus Center generates welcome run of good news

By: Tom Dennis for the Herald, Grand Forks Herald

Before the George Strait-Martina McBride concert recedes into memory, let’s take a minute to recap it.

Because the concert’s outcome — and the Alerus Center’s recent success, which the concert highlights — should be a source of real pride.

As most Grand Forks residents likely know by now, the concert was the biggest seller in the center’s history. The previous record was held by a concert residents still talk about today: Cher, way back in 2002.

Still, the fact that an Alerus Center concert once again drew 20,000 ticket holders is hugely important — because that landmark didn’t have to be reached. Countless things could have gone wrong: Strait could have said no, the marketing of the event could have flopped, ticket sales could have trailed the other venues where Strait played.

But those things didn’t happen. Instead, smart management not only landed Strait but also parlayed the appearance into Saturday’s record event. That gets noticed — and not just in Grand Forks. Rumor has it that Strait’s appearance here drew as many or more fans than any other single concert to date on his Cowboy Rides Away tour.

If that’s the case, then producers and promoters of other acts are likely to look at the Alerus Center with fresh interest.

[grg_straitfan]

Cool! That's great news! Then maybe more cool acts are gonna come to Grandforks! I won't have to drive so far! Even though I love road trips

[grg_straitfan]

Set list time!!!! Woohoo! I was listening to "Cowboy rides away" tonight on my way home from work. I felt like I was at another concert. Sad.

Here for a good time
Ocean front property
Check yes or no
I saw God today
Drinkin' Man
Showman's life
Love's gonna make it alright
Arkansas Dave
Jackson with Martina
Golden Rings with Martina
Blame it on Mexico
Her Goodbye hit me in the heart
80 proof Bottle of tearstopper
Honky tonk crazy
Marina Del Rey
A fire I can't put out
The Chair
River of Love
How about them Cowgirls
Give it away
Amarillo by morning
Give it all we've got tonight
I'll always remember you
Troubadour
Same kind of crazy as me
All my exes live in Texas
Folsom Prison Blues
The Cowboy rides away


[grg_straitfan]

I'm uploading my concert videos to YouTube now. None are good enough for screen shots. But the sound is pretty good. Gonna go to work now. Maybe by the time I'm done they will have uploaded and I'll post them.

[kora]

Tina - looking forward to your videos.

[kora]

Concert Review - Buffalo, NY, First Niagara Center, 2/22/13

Published: 02/22/2013, 11:48 PM

Country legend Strait enthralls fans with a set of favorite hits

By Kristy Kibler

News CONTRIBUTING REVIEWER

When you have close to 60 No. 1 hits to your name and a career spanning more than three decades, it’d be easy to phone it in on a “farewell” tour.

It’d be easy to play like an automaton through the songs that made you famous, smile, wave and then go home for the night.

Or, you could do what contemporary country legend George Strait did Friday night for an ecstatic crowd at the First Niagara Center: You could prove you’ve earned your title as the King of Country Music with every note.

Strait embodies country music. From his Wrangler jeans to his tucked-in, buttoned-up shirt to his scuffed cowboy boots, he is what people think of when they imagine the genre.

He backed up that well-deserved image with a fondly played set of some of his fans’ most beloved songs, taking them on a walk through his storied career with each song.

With selections spanning his first album in 1981 to 2011’s “Here for a Good Time,” Strait played every song like he was reconnecting with an old friend. He looked like he was truly happy to be there, and he welcomed his audience along for the ride.

Strait also surprised those in attendance with a touching show of generosity: He presented an injured soldier and his wife with the keys to a new home, food for a year from Walmart, a new TV and all of his albums. After that, there wasn’t a dry eye in the place, or a heart he hadn’t won over.

Martina McBride opened for Strait, paving the way for his genuine, satisfying performance with one of her own.

A star in her own right, McBride shone on stage, rocking in stiletto heels and leather pants as she let her tremendous voice do the talking in a 15-song set. She had fun with her audience, bantering back and forth as she gave them such light-hearted hits as “My Baby Loves Me (Just the Way That I Am)” and got the parents in the audience roaring in approval at “Teenage Daughters.”

McBride also mixed up some surprising covers with her own work, sampling from both Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’ ” and “The First Cut is the Deepest,” popularized by Rod Stewart and Sheryl Crow.

However, McBride is most in her element when belting the ballads that have become her calling card, her soaring voice giving every one power and passion.

“Do It Anyways,” “Blessed” and one of her oldest hits, “Independence Day,” showcased that power, and her performance of the emotional “Broken Wing” brought her to tears and the audience to its feet.

McBride also paired with Strait for two classic covers, one by Tammy Wynette and the other by Johnny Cash. With two such talented voices joining together, they could do no wrong.