George Strait

[kora]

George will begin his tour tomorrow, Friday, Jan 18, at Lubbock, TX.

An interesting article:

On the Road Again: George Strait says bye to touring

by Brian Mansfield, Special for USA TODAY
4:43 PM, Jan 15, 2013

The last goodbye's the hardest one to say: George Strait's not retiring. He's got a new single?? his 115th?? called Give It All We Got Tonight on the country charts, and a new album in the works. When it comes to touring, though, the end is in sight. Strait's two-year farewell tour, The Cowboy Rides Away, begins Friday in Lubbock, Texas. "I always had it in the back of my mind that when I turned 60, it might be the time to start thinking about it," says the Country Music Hall of Famer, who turned 60 last May, in announcing the tour. "Also, I didn't want to book a tour where nobody came." The 21 dates on this year's tour last through June 1, when Strait plays the Alamodome in San Antonio; Martina McBride opens.

You've got to have your Ace in the Hole: Strait started fronting the Ace in the Hole Band at the Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos, Texas, playing his first gig there on Oct. 13, 1975. "Our biggest night was Wednesdays," Strait recalls. "Fifty cents at the door, ladies free." The players bonded over their love of Texas swing. "Back when we were doing the honky tonks, Western swing was all we did," Strait says. "We'd play four hours of nothing but swing." Bassist Terry Hale and steel player Mike Daily still play with Strait, and former drummer Tom Foote now works as his road manager. And Strait still cuts the occasional swing song, when he hears a new one he likes. "It's kind of hard to find good swing song," he says. "Occasionally, I'll come across one and we'll do it, but I don't get as many sent to me anymore as I used to. But I still love that music."

Something special: The performing bug bit Strait during his U.S. Army service in the early '70s. "I bought a guitar and started learning how to play it with these old songbooks that had the chords there," he says. "I got to where I thought I was pretty good." When did he know he was? "I guess the first time I got up on stage and sang with a band and a microphone and real speakers. I'm thinking, 'I love this, and I really want to make a career out of it. Maybe I can.' "

The road less traveled: Strait came close to changing his life's course when he almost took a job in 1980 with a company that designed cattle pens. He and his wife, Norma, decided he'd give music one more year. He signed to MCA Records and released his first single, Unwound, in 1981. His first big tour came when he opened a series of West Coast dates for Ray Price. "Ray was one of my heroes," he says. But the two singers' first encounter didn't go well. Strait joined up with the entourage and left his guitar on Price's tour bus, then checked into his hotel room. He came back to find Price chewing out the band. "I'm just sinking down in my seat as he goes, 'Whose guitar is this? These guitars go under the bus!' " Strait says. "Still, to watch him sing each night was amazing."

Somewhere down in Texas: As part of The Cowboy Rides Away tour, Strait will play the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on March 17. He has played the event more than 20 times, the first coming 30 years ago as an eleventh-hour substitution for an ailing Eddie Rabbitt. "I thought it was a joke" when the offer came in, Strait says. "I was able to round up my guys, and they sent a plane for us, flew us up to Houston. We were probably there 30 minutes before we walked out on stage. It was pretty scary, but that's what started the relationship I had with them." [The article doesn't mention that they asked George if he rode a horse and he said he did

Playing Strait through: If Strait did nothing but play his No. 1 hits (he's got more than 50) back to back, his show would push four hours, and it wouldn't include fan favorites like 1983's Amarillo By Morning and 1985's The Fireman. How does he pick a set list? "It's a tough thing to do," he admits. "There are songs you have to play or you might get booed off the stage. It's hard, year to year, to put your list together and still change things up."

Hat act: If there's one thing Strait must take with him on the road, it's his Resistol hat. "Most of my stuff stays on the bus all the time," he says. "But I've left my hat (at home) on one or two occasions and had to borrow a hat from one of my guys. I can't go out there without my hat. That's just me."

[kora]

Here are some interesting tidbits from an article written about George's concert on Saturday at Oklahoma City.

By Brandy McDonnell | Published: January 18, 2013 Oklahoman

...He will play the second show on his 2013-14 farewell trek Saturday night at Chesapeake Energy Arena...

The last time he played Oklahoma City two years ago, Mayor Mick Cornett proclaimed it “George Strait Day,” recognizing the singer as the top-grossing concert act in the venue's history. Singer-songwriter Lee Ann Womack, who opened that January 2011 show, called Strait "one of the greatest voices we have in country music today."

"I look back at all the shows I've been to and there are a few that really stand out in my mind: Those that were true musical experiences. George has an unbelievably vast catalog of hits, he has a band full of great musicians, and his voice is truly an amazing instrument that he knows how to use. He's a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and yet still at the top of his game," she said.

From the first time he heard him sing, George Strait changed Tommy Foote's life. The drummer had given up on his musical dreams and moved to Houston when his former bandmates called him back to San Marcos to audition a new singer for their group, the Ace in the Hole Band.

“I heard him sing once and quit my job and moved back up here and slept on couches. Because back then, I didn't really know enough about the music business, but I knew enough to know that this was my shot,” Foote said in a 2010 interview.

“Given his success and his stature, everything I say now almost sounds like a cliche, but it absolutely is sincere that he had a presence and a vocal ability from day one that just made him stand out.”

Three of the four original band members still tour with Strait, including Foote, who moved from drummer to road manager in 1983. He said the singer has always had a gift for knowing when to stick with what works and when to take a risk on something new. Like a music career without the road, for instance.

“He does have a surprising ability to think out of the box. I think ‘Pure Country' was about as out of the box as you could get,” Foote said with a laugh, referring to the 1992 film that marked Strait's acting debut.

“Really and truly, what you see is what you get,” he added. “Like the first time I met George, he was wearing a hat. So it's never been any kind of calculated master plan. I think he's always focused on finding the best songs possible that he was comfortable singing.”

[Kim]

George Strait Rodeo Houston Show Sells 77,000 Tickets in Two Minutes


You don’t even need to do the math on this one. George Strait, who is embarking on his final tour with the Cowboy Rides Away trek, is going out with a bang. The singer will perform at the closing night of this year’s Rodeo Houston and over 77,000 tickets were sold in the first two minutes after being placed on sale.

While Strait is merely retiring from active touring but will continue to make music, fans are answering the call and turning up in droves to see him before he rides off into the sunset. But to sell nearly 80,000 tickets in 120 seconds is absolutely mind-blowing.

This year marks Strait’s 29th time playing the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, and it is a historic performance for the event, as it is breaking records.

“To say that George Strait is an icon or to say that he is the ‘King of Country Music’ is an understatement when referring to his drawing power at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo,” said Leroy Shafer, the VP and COO of the show. “I have been involved with marketing rodeo and concerts here since 1973 and this is the hottest show we have put on sale in those 40 years. This is going to shatter all Reliant Stadium attendance records.”

Strait will perform on March 17.

[kora]

Jan 19, 2013 16:48:15 GMT -5 Kim said:

George Strait Rodeo Houston Show Sells 77,000 Tickets in Two Minutes


You don’t even need to do the math on this one. George Strait, who is embarking on his final tour with the Cowboy Rides Away trek, is going out with a bang. The singer will perform at the closing night of this year’s Rodeo Houston and over 77,000 tickets were sold in the first two minutes after being placed on sale.

While Strait is merely retiring from active touring but will continue to make music, fans are answering the call and turning up in droves to see him before he rides off into the sunset. But to sell nearly 80,000 tickets in 120 seconds is absolutely mind-blowing.

This year marks Strait’s 29th time playing the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, and it is a historic performance for the event, as it is breaking records.

“To say that George Strait is an icon or to say that he is the ‘King of Country Music’ is an understatement when referring to his drawing power at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo,” said Leroy Shafer, the VP and COO of the show. “I have been involved with marketing rodeo and concerts here since 1973 and this is the hottest show we have put on sale in those 40 years. This is going to shatter all Reliant Stadium attendance records.”

Strait will perform on March 17.

Thanks, Kim. That's our man!

[kora]

Here's the start of George's 2013 tour.

Concert Review - Lubbock, TX, United Spirit Arena, Friday, 1/18/13

Strait kicks off final tour with memorable, record-setting concert

By William Kerns
A-J ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013

Singer-songwriter George Strait delivered a consistently entertaining musical thank you to West Texas fans for their past 32 years of support — kicking off his final concert tour Friday night with a two-hour, 29-song performance at the United Spirit Arena.

He set a venue attendance record by attracting 15,200 energetic, enthusiastic and loud supporters to his 15th Lubbock concert.

Indeed, one doubts that noise levels at past Texas Tech basketball thrillers in the same arena could match the aural bedlam that greeted even Strait’s performance of “Amarillo by Morning.”

He and his Ace in the Hole band raised the attendance bar set by the 14,944 fans. a prior record, who witnessed a co-headlining appearance by Strait and Reba McEntire back in March 2011.

Strait’s vocals were consistently strong again on Friday, even when production occasionally, and oddly, found the mix leaning in favor of the band.

From beginning to end, he came across as thrilled and appreciative of the colossal turnout. Indeed, Strait climbed on stage at 9:15 p.m., wearing a button-down shirt, traditional Wranglers and a smile as big as Texas.

He appeared more animated Friday than at prior Lubbock performances, and delivered an impressive balance of old and new material.

In addition, he refused to limit his set to any sort of greatest hits package, instead introducing a number of obvious personal favorites from past albums.

An encore found him diving right into an arrangement of “Same Kind of Crazy” that was infectiously fun, if decidedly something other than country.

Not surprisingly, his audience almost inserted a sigh of relief amid its cheers when greeting Strait’s follow-up rendition of “All My Exes Live in Texas.”

Strait ably communicated varied fun and sad tunes throughout his show. He also seemed to share more personal background, whether mentioning an early songwriting effort by his own son, Bubba (George Jr.), or getting a kick out of how many of his own albums featured Dean Dillon compositions.

Still, he came across as briefly uncomfortable when mentioning, in a near whisper, that friend and songwriter Frank Dycus had passed away.

There was great fun within the video clips shared while singing “Troubador.”

“I still feel 25 most of the time,” the song begins, and there followed wonderful clips of a youthful Strait riding, roping and, away from the rodeo grounds, singing — and succeeding everywhere.

Lyrics later stated, “I was a young troubador, when I wrote in on a song, but I’ll be an old troubador when I’m gone.”

It remains obvious, however, that Strait can continue to entertain as long as he wants.

Mind you, the performer insists that, until last year, he never planned to embark on a final tour, with hopes to keep recording.

Subconsciously, that subject was up for debate, though.

The proof lies in fascinating 2011 song “I’ll Always Remember You,” which he saved for late in Friday’s show. “You’ve pulled me through some hard times,” he sang to his fans, “Hope I’ve pulled you through a few. And just know that I’ll always remember you.”

Strait transformed the final words into a personal promise, prompting a slow turn as he pointed to sections throughout the area.

By the way, if there were empty seats even in the upper rows of the United Spirit Arena, few could make them out. The hall appeared packed, and I remembered when basketball coach Bobby Knight pointed to seats in the upper corner of section 222, and said he wanted the Red Raider basketball team to fill those seats.

Strait certainly had no difficulty pulling that off.

Also having a great time were a number of female fans attending in small groups of friends, so excited when cameras captured them singing and swaying while Strait sang, "How 'Bout Them Cowgirls?"

It is only fair that Martina McBride also receive credit for her own wonderful opening performance. She, too, pulled out all the stops, and cameras made sure that fans could see her respond with, “Oh. my God,” when she was honored with a much deserved standing ovation.

McBride appeared positively giddy that she had been asked, yet again, to tour with seemingly every country superstar’s favorite country superstar.

Meanwhile, those present at George Strait’s very first concert in his very last tour had to be aware that they had just taken part in something very special.

Set list:

1. “Here for a Good Time.”
2. “Ocean Front Property.”
3. “Check Yes or No.”
4. “I Saw God Today.”
5. “Drinkin’ Man.”
6. “A Showman’s Life.”
7. “Love’s Gonna Make It Alright.”
8. “Arkansas Dave.”
9. “Blame It on Mexico.”
10. “Her Goodbye Hit Me in the Heart.”
11. “80 Proof Bottle.”
12. “Honky Tonk Crazy.”
13. “Marina del Rey.”
14. “The King of Broken Hearts.”
15. “Where the Sidewalk Ends.”
16. “The Chair.”
17. "How ’Bout Them Cowgirls?”
18. “Stars on the Water.”
19. “Give It Away.”
20. “Livin’ for the Night.”
21. “Amarillo by Morning.”
22. “Give It All We Got Tonight.”
23. “I’ll Always Remember You.”
24. “Troubador.”
25. “Unwound.”

Encore:

26. “Same Kind of Crazy.”
27. “All My Exes Live in Texas.”
28. “Folsom Prison Blues.”
29. “The Cowboy Rides Away.”

[kora]

Here are a few tidbits from George about this year's tour and what he will sing and some comments about his future in country music:

So what can fans expect from these shows? As George told Radio.com, there are a few songs he’s definitely looking forward to playing.

“‘Troubadour’ for sure,” he said. “And ‘I’ll Always Remember You.’ That’s gonna be one that’s probably going to have the most meaning during these shows. And I kinda wrote it so the fans would know how I really felt. That’s gonna be a tough one.”

He also said he’s “probably going to reach back and pull some of that old stuff out” that he and the band haven’t done in a long time, “just for good memory’s sake.” He’s got plenty to work with, then, as his large, impressive catalog reaches back more than 30 years and includes such early gems as “The Chill of an Early Fall,” “Ocean Front Property,” “Unwound,” “Amarillo by Morning,” and of course, “The Cowboy Rides Away.”

As George noted during last fall’s press conference, this may be his final major concert tour, but he’s not ruling out occasional live gigs–and he’s certainly going to keep recording. “I’m still going to make records, I’m going to write,” he promised at the time.

And while the country music landscape has obviously changed tremendously during the time that George has been on the scene, he appears unfazed.

“It’s definitely a little different now,” George said to Radio.com, regarding the current world of country music. “And I don’t mean that in a bad way, because everybody’s just trying to make it in this business, and so, more power to them. But hopefully I’ll still have a place somewhere. And I”m gonna keep believing that, because I want to keep making records.”

For George, “the key” to keeping his career this strong all these years is all about “finding the right songs.” And not just any songs, but “good songs that you think will fit you. That’s what I’ve done all these years, is just try to find the best songs that I felt like I could sing that fit me, my personality and my beliefs.”

- Kurt Wolff, Radio.co
Probably Lubbock, TX

[Deleted]

I was going to ask if any George fans are going to any of the shows...dumb question. Anyone anywhere should catch him...before the cowboy rides away...
soo sad!

[kora]

Jan 19, 2013 19:24:39 GMT -5 nashviller said:

I was going to ask if any George fans are going to any of the shows...dumb question. Anyone anywhere should catch him...before the cowboy rides away...
soo sad!

Yep, I'm going to the one in Salt Lake City this Friday, Jan. 25, and also going to Vegas for the concert on Feb. 2.

[kora]

Concert Review - Oklahoma City, Chesapeake Energy Arena, Jan 19, 2013[/size]

George Strait bids an emotional farewell to Oklahoma City on his “The Cowboy Rides Away Tour”

The King of Country took on the role of “The King of Broken Hearts” Saturday night, bidding an emotional and engaging farewell to Oklahoma City.

George Strait embarked on his “The Cowboy Rides Away Tour” Friday night with a home-state show in Lubbock, Texas. The second stop on his 2013-14 farewell trek was the sold-out Chesapeake Energy Arena, where he has reigned as a top concert draw since the venue opened in 2002.

As usual, Strait put on a frills-free show designed to spotlight outstanding singing, songwriting and musicianship. He and his excellent opening act, Martina McBride, along with their strong respective bands, performed in the round on a massive diamond-shaped stage in the center of the arena floor. Employing just a few light effects and video screens primarily used to show the performers, the concert was a far cry from the high-tech spectacles favored by many contemporary country acts.

With their long, platinum-gilded careers, Strait and McBride could have made their sets veritable hit parades. Instead, the veteran vocalists mixed in playful covers and deep album cuts with the expected fan favorites.

McBride opened her 70-minute crowd-warming set with the feisty toe-tapper “When God-Fearin’ Women Get the Blues” and kept the proceedings sassy with “Wild Angels,” “My Baby Loves Me,” “This One’s for the Girls” and her recent top 20 single “Teenage Daughters.”

“I’m the luckiest girl in the world ‘cause I get to tour with George frickin’ Strait,” declared McBride, who looked sassy in a red leather jacket over black jeans, a black scooped-neck top and tall black boots with skinny skyscraper heels.

The Kansas native told the packed house that one of her favorite parts of planning a tour is choosing cover songs, and she wowed the crowd with her crystalline country version of Etta James’ “At Last” and got fans wailing along with a medley of the Cat Stevens classic “The First Cut Is the Deepest” and Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’.”

“We’re not clapping; we’re snapping. It’s the new thing. All the cool kids are doing it,” she quipped before launching into a lively rendition of “King of the Road,” paying double tribute to her tourmate and the late, great Erick-bred singer-songwriter Roger Miller.

She even broke out a harmonica for her bluesy ballad “Love’s the Only House.” But the songstress was at her best belting soaring love songs and heartbreaking anthems like “Whatever You Say,” “A Broken Wing,” “Concrete Angel” “I’m Gonna Love You Through It” and her big finish “Independence Day,” which not only highlighted her big voice but her skill at delving into the emotion of each song.

The night only got more emotional as Strait and his Ace in the Hole Band took the stage following a pair of video tributes, one featuring country superstars like Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton and Alan Jackson wishing King George well on his farewell tour and another highlighting his myriad career accomplishments.

The Country Music Hall of Famer, 60, got his final Oklahoma City show off to a spirited start with the title track of his 2011 album “Here for a Good Time” and the title cut from his 1987 record “Ocean Front Property,” setting the tone for his career-spanning two-hour-plus set.

“Hello, Oklahoma City. It’s so good to be here tonight,” Strait greeted the crowd, who showered him with deafening praise for virtually every song. “(It’s) probably my last one here and that’s sad because I’m gonna miss you. Thank you for coming and thank you for coming all those years, too.”

There’s a curious formality to a George Strait concert. After he straps on his black acoustic guitar, the superstar performs two songs at one point of the diamond-shaped stage before methodically moving on to the next point and two more songs. Fans in each quadrant inevitably get to their feet as the king moves to their point on the stage.

On his first turn around, Strait offered a mix of hits and cuts from the latter half of his three-decade career: “Check Yes or No,” “ I Saw God Today,” “A Showman’s Life,” “Love’s Gonna Make It Alright” and “Drinkin’ Man,” which he proudly announced he co-wrote with his son Bubba and longtime collaborator Dean Dillon. He quickly proved he still has the worn-leather rich voice and potent country charisma to hold an audience in his thrall.

The Academy of Country Music Artist of the Decade didn’t have to switch up his tried-and-true show format, but he did it anyway on his second rotation around the stage. At each point of the diamond, he pulled up a stool and regaled his fervent fans with tales of his early days recording in Nashville, punctuated with deep album cuts like “80 Proof Bottle of Tear Stopper” and “Honky Tonk Crazy” and classic hits like the gorgeous heartbreaker “Marina del Rey.”

“That brings back some pretty good memories,” said Strait, who was dressed in a pale checked button-down shirt and his usual cowboy boots, black hat and tight Wrangler jeans. “Y’all like those old songs? Me, too.”

He smiled widely and wistfully he reminisced about his 1980s beginnings, recalling songwriters he worked with and his early plans to incorporate his last name into all his album titles until “luckily I wised up.”

“We’re moving into the ‘90s and old Dusty,” Strait said as he pulled up his stool for the final time to play “The King of Broken Hearts” and “Where the Sidewalk Ends” from his 1992 film “Pure Country.”

The Texas troubadour left the stool behind for his next trip around the stage, which ironically started with his 1985 smash “The Chair,” a favorite that got the whole crowd wailing along and ended in a standing ovation.

“Thank you so much. What a great crowd you are. I’m really, really gonna miss that,” Strait said.

The superstar graciously shared the stage with retired Gen. Leroy Sisco of the Military Warriors Support Foundation, who invited Strait to present an Iraq War veteran and his wife with the ceremonial key to their new house as part of the Homes 4 Wounded Heroes program. Naturally, King George followed up the presentation with the lively “Give It Away.”

Through old favorites like “Amarillo by Morning” to his newest single from his forthcoming album “Give It All We Got Tonight,” from the peppy dance number “Stars on the Water” to the lovely piano ballad “Living for the Night,” Strait seemed determined to savor every moment and emotion. Emotion almost seemed to overwhelm him on the all-too-appropriate recent tracks “Troubadour” and “I’ll Always Remember You.”

“I really wasn’t thinking about retiring or slowing down. I don’t know, maybe it was in the back of mind,” Strait said during the latter, which seemed to bring tears to his eyes. “I just wanted to say how much you guys have meant to me over the years. So I figured the best way to do that was in a song.”

In keeping with tradition, Strait closed his set with his first hit, 1981’s “Unwound.” Although he and his Ace in the Hole Band didn’t leave the stage for long, the crowd welcomed them back for the encore with ear-splitting screams of joy.

“Thank you very much. Yes, we’ll play on,” Strait said, grinning as he strapped his guitar back on and launched into the party-time love song “Same Kind of Crazy,” followed by the hilarious hit “All Exes Live in Texas.”

He gave his Ace in the Hole Band, which started in 1975 and has backed Strait throughout his career, a prime showcase with a raucous extended cover of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues,” which got the superstar grinning as broadly as his dancing devotees.

Alas, nothing lasts forever, and many fans groaned when they heard the opening of Strait’s customary closer, “The Cowboy Rides Away.” Folks were singing and swaying, waving their arms and holding up their lighted cell phones.

When the ballad was over, Strait gave a big sigh as he made one last circle around the stage. The emotion was obvious in his face as he waved and pointed to the fans, bowed and patted his heart.

“Good night, everybody. Thank you,” he said, spreading his arms wide and basking in one more collective cheer.

And then he was gone, striding off the stage and proving the lyric true: “The last goodbye’s the hardest one to say.”

Still, it was a great ride, King George.

[kora]

Concert Review #2 - Lubbock, TX, United Spirit Arena, Friday, 1/18/13[/b]
[/size]

King of Country rides away after starting final tour in Lubbock


When the King of Country came to Lubbock, he packed the United Spirit Arena with thousands of fans holding signs and signing along with his country songs.

George Strait kicked off his farewell tour “The Cowboy Rides Away” on Friday in Lubbock after decades of touring.

The crowd, which had a diverse age span, seemed disappointed when George Strait left the stage after his last song, yelling for him to encore.

He did not disappoint.

Strait returned to play more songs including "All My Ex's Live In Texas" and "Folsom Prison Blues" before singing "The Cowboy Rides Away," leaving the stage and walking through the crowd as he completed his last live performance in Lubbock.

"I knew he was going to come back out because I knew he was going to end on 'The Cowboy Rides Away,’" said Amy Otho of Midland. "Overall, it was awesome. He played for over two hours."

Strait pulled off a great farewell concert, Otho said.

"We were on the fifth row, so when he was singing at that one microphone, he was right in front of us," she said. "I loved it."

Robert Jones took his daughter Ashley from Amarillo to attend the concert with him.

"I thought it was absolutely wonderful," Jones said. "It was great and exciting. 'Amarillo By Morning' really touched us because we've always loved that song."

For Jones, his favorite moment of the concert was the same as many other members of the crowd.

"I really loved the encore," he said. "Everyone was up and screaming, and it was a very exciting moment. "

Staci Jones of Midland said although Strait performed many award-winning songs, one particularly stood out to her.

"My favorite song was when he sang 'Troubadour,’" she said. "It was so much fun and amazing."

Before Strait appeared on stage, a video played showing all the awards he received beginning in 1981 with Billboard Male Artist of the Year until in 2010 with the Billboard Awards Top Country Artist of the Past 25 Years.

It also revealed every album Strait released has received a gold status at minimum from the Record Industry Association of America.

Then, the video played footage of many country artists paying their respects to Strait as he embarks on his final tour, including Garth Brooks, Dierks Bentley, Taylor Swift, Clay Walker, Lee Ann Womack, Blake Shelton, Jamey Johnson, McBride, Alan Jackson, Ronnie Dunn, Kenny Chesney, and ended with Reba McEntire.

Strait began his concert by playing "Here For A Good Time," then sang another crowd favorite, "Check Yes Or No." After Strait sang "I Saw God Today,” the screen displayed a picture of a baby sleeping in a Texas Tech football helmet, which caused many crowd members to hold their Guns Up.

During his performance, Strait also honored a wounded warrior named Chris, whose best friend died in his arms during his service. After Chris left the stage, Strait told the crowd it did not “get much better than that” and had to compose himself before continuing the concert.

Strait left the stage after his encore with a standing ovation from the crowd, cheering one last time for the King of Country as he rode away.

"We were so sad that it was his last concert," Staci Jones said, "but we'll follow him anywhere."

Singing "The Cowboy Rides Away"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kX2WAltEIA0

[grg_straitfan]

Jan 18, 2013 18:11:42 GMT -5 kora said:

Tina - 7 more days until I see George. I'm excited!

I couldn't figure out how to attach the seating chart and it wouldn't show up as an image for me. I looked it up and saved it again and here it is. It's large. Sorry about that. LOL! I wanted to show you where my seat is for Salt Lake City next Friday, Jan. 25.

F18 on the floor, 3rd row. Whoopie! It's been awhile since I've been on the floor for one of George's concerts.

Wow!! That looks to be good seats! If he still sings on every corner like usual, he should be right in your face! I am jealous!

[grg_straitfan]

Jan 20, 2013 16:35:01 GMT -5 kora said:

Jan 19, 2013 19:24:39 GMT -5 nashviller said:

I was going to ask if any George fans are going to any of the shows...dumb question. Anyone anywhere should catch him...before the cowboy rides away...
soo sad!

Yep, I'm going to the one in Salt Lake City this Friday, Jan. 25, and also going to Vegas for the concert on Feb. 2.

And I am going on Feb 16, in Grandforks, ND!!

[topgsfan]

Here's a possible Country Weekly magazine I voted for. The other one didn't have George on it.

[topgsfan]

Thank all of you for posting all the reviews about George. I'm going to miss them when he quits touring.

Kora, you have GREAT seats in Vegas! How do you get so lucky?

[topgsfan]

$12,000 for a ticket to George Strait's Rodeo show? Scalper prices at an all-time high

By Whitney Radley

eroy Shafer, chief operating officer of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, seems like an easygoing enough guy. But you know what makes him really, really mad?

All of these jacked-up price tags on RodeoHouston concert tickets.

With an all-star lineup that includes country giants Tim McGraw and George Strait alongside acts like Mary J. Blige and Pitbull, it seemed inevitable that tickets to the nightly performances would go for a little above the initial asking price.

But KHOU's Courtney Zubowski reports that it's far worse than expected, with some seats now priced in the thousands on the secondary market.

Where an upfront seat at Bruno Mars or Lady Antebellum should cost around $25, online sellers have them listed closer to $600 per ticket. Tickets to see the King of Country are going for upwards of $12,000 on some sites, the highest that Pat Ryan, co-owner of The Ticket Experience, has ever seen — and by a large margin.

"It is hard to predict if such sky high prices will maintain until the actual date of the concert, but it wouldn't surprise me," Ryan tells CultureMap. "There are plenty of people within driving distance with disposable income who will be motivated to see Strait's final Houston concert."

RodeoHouston released more than 900,000 tickets to Rodeo members, volunteers and season ticket holders before the box office ever officially opened, and the premium seats might explain the high-dollar prices that scalpers have set on the open market.

"If it's a season ticket holder and we can prove they are selling our tickets, reselling our tickets for higher than face value, we'll revoke their rights to sell tickets," warned Shafer.

houston.culturemap.com/newsdetail/01-19-13-01-14-12000-for-a-ticket-to-george-straits-rodeo-show-scalper-prices-at-an-all-time-high/