Writer's Tribute to George Strait, Vol. 1 (Compadré, 2004)

A songwriter's tribute to George Strait offers a unique take on Strait's hits, but only hardcore Strait collectors need listen. They'll likely be asking, where's Jim Lauderdale, who wrote a bunch of Strait hits or Dean Dillon, who wrote "The Chair" and has a song on virtually every one of Strait's albums?

Either would have made it a much more listenable tribute, although Sonny Throckmorton ("The Cowboy Rides Away"), Gretchen Peters ("Chill of an Early Fall") and Whitey Shafer's two cuts ("Does Ft. Worth Ever Cross Your Mind" and "All My Ex's Live in Texas") add some punch to this 12-song collection.