George Strait
George Harvey Strait Sr. (born May 18, 1952) is an American country music singer, songwriter, actor, and music producer. Strait is credited for pioneering the neotraditional country style in the 1980s,[2] famed for his authentic cowboy image and roots-oriented sound at a time when the Nashville music industry was dominated by country pop crossover acts. Given his influence on the genre, Strait has been named the "King of Country Music" by writers and music critics.[3][4][5][6] Strait currently holds the record for most number one songs on all charts by an artist, in any genre of music."[3][7]
George Strait
George Harvey Strait Sr.
May 18, 1952
Poteet, Texas, U.S.
Pearsall, Texas, U.S.[1]
- Singer-songwriter
- actor
- record producer
- rancher
- Vocals
- guitar
1976–present
1971–1975
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Strait's success began when his first single "Unwound" was a hit in 1981, helping introduce the neotraditional movement to the mainstream. During the 1980s, seven of his albums reached number one on the country charts. In the 2000s, Strait was named Artist of the Decade by the Academy of Country Music, elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and won his first Grammy award for the album Troubadour. Strait was named CMA Entertainer of the Year in 1989, 1990 and 2013, and ACM Entertainer of the Year in 1990 and 2014. He has been nominated for more CMA and ACM awards and has more wins in both categories than any other artist.
By 2009, he broke Conway Twitty's previous record for the most number-one hits on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart when his 44 number one singles surpassed Twitty's 40.[8] Strait has amassed 60 number-one hits.[9]
"Give It All We Got Tonight" was number one in 2013,[10] breaking a record also previously set by Twitty. Strait holds the record for most number one songs on all charts by an artist in any genre of music."[3][7]
Strait was also known for his touring career when he designed a 360-degree configuration and introduced festival style tours. For example, the Strait Tours earned $99 million in three years.[11] His final concert for The Cowboy Rides Away Tour at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in June 2014, drew 104,793 people, marking a new record for largest indoor concert in North America.[12]
Strait has sold more than 120 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.[13] He holds the RIAA record for most certified platinum albums by any artist, with 33 certified platinum albums. Strait also has 13 multi-platinum and 38 gold albums. His best-selling album is Pure Country (1992), which sold 6 million (6× platinum). His highest certified album is Strait Out of the Box (1995), which sold 2 million copies (8× Platinum due to being a box set with four CDs). According to the RIAA, Strait is the 12th best-selling album recording artist in the United States overall selling over 69 million records across the United States.[14]
Early life[edit]
George Harvey Strait Sr. was born on May 18, 1952, in Poteet, Texas,[1] to John Byron Strait Sr. (January 11, 1922 – June 4, 2013),[15] and Doris Jean Couser (June 26, 1930 – January 30, 2010).
He grew up in nearby Pearsall, in Frio County,[1] where his father was a junior high school mathematics teacher and the owner of a 2,000-acre (810 ha) cattle ranch outside of Big Wells, Texas.[1] The family worked at the ranch on the weekends and in the summers.[1] When George was in the fourth grade, his father and mother were divorced, and his mother moved away with his sister, Pency. George and his brother John "Buddy" Jr. (1950–2009), were raised by their father.[16] For most of his early life, Strait spent most ranching alongside his older brother Buddy and his father John.[17]
Strait began his musical career while attending Pearsall High School, where he performed in a rock and roll garage band, known as the Stoics, taking most influence and inspiration from the Beatles and other British Invasion-era rock groups.[18] "The Beatles were big," Strait confirmed. "I listened to them a lot and that whole bunch of groups that were popular then." Strait would perform in other rock bands during his high school tenure.[17]
His musical preference soon turned to country with singers Hank Thompson, Lefty Frizzell, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Bob Wills, Hank Williams, and Frank Sinatra influencing his style. Strait did not tune to the country music radio often as a youth, usually listening to the news and the farmer's report. His introduction to country music came mostly by way of live performances, which, according to Strait, could be heard in every town in Texas.[19]
Marriage and military service[edit]
He eloped with his high school sweetheart, Norma Voss after their high school graduation.[17] The couple initially married in Mexico on December 4, 1971. That same year, he enlisted in the United States Army as an infantryman. While stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii as a part of the 25th Infantry Division, Strait auditioned and began performing with an Army-sponsored country music band, "Rambling Country", which also played off-base under the name "Santee".[17][20] On October 6, 1972, while still in Hawaii, George and Norma had their first child, Jenifer.[21] Strait served in the United States Army from 1971 to 1975 and ultimately attained the rank of Corporal.[22]
Higher education[edit]
After Strait was honorably discharged from the Army in 1975, he enrolled at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) in San Marcos. He graduated with a degree in agriculture.[23]
Strait was also presented an honorary doctoral degree by his alma mater – Texas State University in San Marcos – in a private ceremony on May 26, 2006.[23] Strait is a loyal alumnus of Texas State; in 1985 he established an endowment fund for the development and operation of the Freeman Ranch for agricultural purposes, land and wildlife management, and gifts of scholarships.[23]
Musical style[edit]
Strait's style of country music has been largely labeled as neotraditional country, which relies on traditional instrumentation in country music, i.e. fiddle and pedal steel guitar.[56][2][57] His style has also been labeled as Texas country, Western swing,[58][56] and honky-tonk.[56][58]