George Strait

[kora]

tina - Hi, I'm kora. So glad you got tickets for George. I will see him in Salt Lake City on Jan 25 and again in Las Vegas on Feb 2.

I don't remember you from the CWO board. Maybe you can tell me a little about yourself and that will refresh my memory. LOL! How long have you been a George fan?

[grg_straitfan]

Hey Kora! Glad to have you with us! Was getting a little lonely on the George Strait thread! Back in the ol' days I was also on the CW board, but haven't posted now for the longest time!

I became a fan 13 years ago when I first saw Pure Country, been hooked ever since. Saw him for the first time in 2010, with Reba and Leann Womack. Awesome concert! I recently went a little wild and bought the remaining albums missing from my collection.

Really excited to see him again in February!!! J am going with my sister and a friend. When my friends sisters found out about the concert, they insisted on coming too! The more the merrier! It was kinda cute, they went western cloths shopping right away, and that was back in October!

Only 37 more days, and 23 hours!!!!

[kora]

Tina - That's cute that you are counting the days until the concert. How many times have you seen George in concert?

I became a fan in 1996 when my aunt brought over his 1983 album, "Right or Wrong," and said to listen to some real music. LOL! I was into a lock of rock then. When he started to sing "Our Paths May Never Cross," I was a fan.

[grg_straitfan]

Hey Kora,

Real music indeed! I have seen him once before. This will be the second time!

[kora]

Tina - I still like rock music. LOL! I'm not a really big country fan, but I do like some of them. George is my favorite country singer and always will be. I've lost count, but I think Salt Lake City will be my 15th GS concert and Las Vegas my 16th.

P.S. My images in the earlier posting keep disappearing. I'll try to post them again. If that doesn't work, I give up.

[grg_straitfan]

Wow! That's a lot of shows! I can see your images now anyway.

[kora]

Tina - Yeah, I'm happy I've been able to see him that many times. I don't know what I'll do when he stops touring after 2014.

I still can't get any of my Artist of the Decade photos to show up in my posting above. All I get is that weird notice. I don't know what's the problem. I have two really good ones of George holding the trophy. Also tried one of Garth handing the trophy to George, but it won't post either. Oh, well.

[kora]

Another interesting article, with background most Strait fans know, but a few new tidbits.

Artist Profile: George Strait

I will never forget hearing George Strait’s debut single in 1981. “Unwound” had me hooked. And apparently, the world of Country Music. It became a quick top 10 single and launched one of the most storied careers in Music.

This year, King George is retiring from the road. He never did tour a lot, but when he was out in front of the fans they saw something special. In the 90′s, his Country Music Festival stadium tours drew crowds only Garth Brooks could match. And he helped solidify the careers of his opening acts. Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, The Dixie Chicks, LeeAnn Womack, Sara Evans and Brad Paisley.

There was even a stage for brand new artists. George wanted to give fans exposure to these performers to help their careers and Country Music as a whole.

As a recording artist, he was just as successful; and still is! He has had more number 1 songs than any other artist in any genre ever. And he is 2 albums away from passing Elvis and the Beatles with the most gold/platinum albums ever. Pretty impressive for a country boy.

Enough about the artist, let’s talk about the man. He was born near San Antonio (which is why the trip we are giving away is so special) and lives there today. He is still married to his school sweetheart, Norma. They got hitched in 1971. Twice! He then enlisted in the Army and began performing in an Army sanctioned band. That is what kick started his dream.

You may hear a lot about his son, Bubba, who recently gave him a grandchild. What you may not have heard about is his firstborn child, Jennifer Lynn Strait. Sadly, as George started winning awards and garnering number one songs, she was killed in a car crash at age 13.

Being private, George never really discussed this in the press. He rarely gives interviews. When he is not recording or touring, he doesn’t pick up a guitar.

One interesting note: George didn’t know how to read music when he started out. I don’t know if he can now.

I went to see George Strait’s Festival back in 1999. It was in Pittsburgh. The temperature was pushing 100 that day and as the Dixie Chicks hit the stage, I hit the ground. I ended up in the hospital (along with many others from the concert) with heat exhaustion. I never did get to see George that day.

Don’t feel bad for me, though. In 2007, I had the pleasure of being in Nashville to watch George Strait, Bill Anderson and Jamey Johnson pick up the CMA Song of the Year Award for “Give It Away”. I finally got to meet him that night. A lifelong dream come true! He’s short!

As King George rides his tour bus into the sunset, I hope you can be there in San Antonio to see the show he will cherish most. His last hometown performance. Don’t forget to enter.

Long live King George!

-------------------------------------------------------------------
The part I highlighted in red is new news to me. Didn't know George couldn't read music when he started. Interesting.

[grg_straitfan]

That is interesting. Don't think I knew about that either.

Question for you Kora! Have you ever had 5th row seats at one of his shows?

I have tickets for elevated seats, row "N". Now someone offered me 5th row. I am going with my sister and a friend, but there is only one 5th row ticket. So I would have to sit by myself. (Except for those thousands of other fans😊) I am wondering what it's like with floor seats at a GS show? Is there pushing and shoving? Or mostly standing? Fill me in if you know! Thanks!

[kora]

Tina - I'm short and have had only front row seats on the floor. Most of the people stood when he came to our side. I don't know how your seating chart is laid out, but 5th row on the floor could be good or not, depending on where his microphone is placed and who is in front of you. Usually, his mics are at the four points of the stage.

The N row seat sounds like it's 14 rows up from the floor, in the lower bowl, which is not a bad seat. There again, it depends on how many floor seats are below you and if you are facing him or off to the side. You would be able to see him walk around the stage, whereas on the floor in row 5 you may be able to see him when he moves to a nearby mic but have to use the jumbotron for the other side of the stage.

Sorry I couldn't be more help. The venues are all different.

[grg_straitfan]

Ok, thanks anyway. Still deciding if yes or no

[grg_straitfan]

This is the layout of my venue. My current seats are in section 214. The 5th row ones are in section 91

Attachments:

[kora]

Tina - The map helps. From Section 214, you will see him enter and walk up to the stage and he will be facing you when he comes to your side, which is good. It looks like a little distance from the stage, but you will be able to see the entire stage.

The floor seat looks pretty good and is closer to George. Seating charts are not exactly accurate, and it's hard to tell where they will place the mic. If it faces Section 90 directly, you may have a slight side view of George from Section 91. If it's slightly to the left of the point, then you've got it made and he will be facing you.

Here again, it's a tricky decision for you unless you've been to the arena and know the setup and how the seat numbers run from left to right, etc. You will just have to decide what you think is the best seat for the experience you want to have. Of course, since he won't be touring much longer, I think we both would probably take either seat. LOL!

[grg_straitfan]

Lol, either seat. I think I've decided to take both seats. Lol. If I don't like the floor seat during Martina's part, I can head up during intermission. Since I'll still have that ticket. Win win situation!

Thanks for you expertise!

[kora]

Hey, that's a good plan.