Strait announces final tour
Wednesday, September 26, 2012 – George Strait announced his plans today 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 Jan. 18 in Lubbock, Texas.
Strait, who celebrated his 60th birthday earlier this year, said, "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.
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, 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.
Tour dates are:
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
March 1 - Knoxville, Tenn. - Thompson-Boling Arena
March 2 - Lexington, Ky. - Rupp Arena
March 17 - Houston, Texas - Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo*
March 22 - Greenville, S.C. - Bi-Lo Center
March 23 - Greensboro, N.C. - Greensboro Coliseum Complex
April 5 - Albuquerque, N.M. - The Pit
April 6 - Las Cruces, N.M. - Pan American Center
April 12 - N. Little Rock, Ark. - Verizon Arena
April 13 - New Orleans, La. - New Orleans Arena
June 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.
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CD reviews for George Strait
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George Strait may have reached his seventh decade, but he shows zero signs of slowing down. In fact, Strait seems to be getting even more consistent as he gets older. Strait doesn't stray all that far from the formula that has resulted in superstar status.
First and foremost, that means his sonorous voice is mixed far above the music, a very good thing. He is comfortable on everything including hard core country (pedal steel, fiddle and mandolin are not tacked on afterthoughts with »»»
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Here for a Good Time
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Twang
Twenty-six albums and 28 years into his recording career, George Strait still has a few tricks up his sleeves. While making musical intents clear from the title track, written in part by Jim Lauderdale, there are a few changes here.
First off and perhaps most shockingly, the quiet Texan wrote 3 of the 13 songs, including the hit single (Living for the Night with long-time cohort Dean Dillon and Strait's son Bubba. The younger Strait penned the very fine Arkansas Dave about a convict by »»»
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Editorial: Walking the talk –
When names like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon and the Hag are invoked, you're talking hard core country. These are the touchstones of country , the guys who made country music what it was and still is (or maybe can be). When these folks would sing about being down-and-out and the rough-and-tumble, they knew of what they were singing about. Fast forward a few years to the country singers of today. »»»
Concert Review: McGraw has plenty of fight left –
Despite the fact that Tim McGraw is five years sober, fit as a triathlete and touring behind a number one album, he is still in an unenviable position. As he approaches 50, McGraw has to stay a step ahead of the current crop of young country hunks with TV shows, cross format radio airplay and wider appeal. But as he proved at First Niagara's... »»»
Concert Review: Steve Earle doesn't rest (on laurels) –
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That was because Earle started the two-hour show with three straight tracks from "The Low Highway," and he would not be done for the night. The title track of was a midtempo effort... »»»
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