I’ll just go ahead and make it official.
I’m a George Strait fan.
Sounds kinda funny coming from a guy who grew up on such Rock n Roll bands like Herman’s Hermits, the Malibu’s, the Sixpence, the Dave Clark Five and the Beatles.
I remember not too many years ago wondering how anyone could listen to country music. Maybe it’s my age, but I sure don’t wonder that anymore.
I did something last night that is very rare for me. I sat in front of a television and watched a two hour special on television. They were honoring George Strait as Country Music Artist of the Decade. The show consisted of every country star you can think of coming on stage and singing a George Strait song while George and his family looked on.
I would think these stars had no trouble at all coming up with a song to sing. George Strait has accumulated 57 number one hits in his career. His 38 hit albums (multi platinum, platinum and gold) are not too shabby either. Only Elvis and the Beatles had more.
And George ain’t done.
The more I learn about King George, the more I like him. His dad was a high school math teacher in Pearshall ,TX, which is about an hour south of San Antonio. The family would head to the family ranch on the weekends. George’s life has not always been perfect though. George’s mom took his sister and left when George was in the third grade. George and his brother stayed with their dad.
Right after high school, George dropped out of college and eloped with his high school sweetheart. After a stint in the Army, George came back to Southwest Texas State and got a degree in Agriculture. Like most folks that hit it big, he wasn’t thinking big when he started out.
In spite of his now celebrity status, George and Norma’s marriage is still working after 38 years. They had two children. Their son Bubba was on the stage with his dad and mom last night. Their older daughter Jenifer was killed in an automobile accident at the age of 13 in 1985.
Life throws you curves – even if you happen to be George Strait.
But my goodness he is an entertainer. His rich voice and the songs he sings have a way of making you smile.
“If you leave me I won’t miss you and I won’t ever take you back. Girl your memory won’t ever haunt me cause I don’t love you. Now if you’ll buy that - I’ve got some ocean front property in Arizona and from my front porch you can see the sea.”
And….
“I thought you and me were something special; Thought you thought that way too. Now I know that this ol’ boy just ain’t the best you think you’ll ever do. It ain’t cool to be crazy about you. It ain’t suave or debonair to let you know I care, like I do.”
You just gotta love some George Strait.
King George rules.
2 comments:
We share the same feelings and views about King George. I can sit and listen to him sing all day--some of the songs make me happy and some make me cry. I never was into Rock n Roll--I was a Motown Fan.....The Temptations, Jr Walker & the All Stars, Martha Reeves and the Vandella's, Smokey Robinson, The Four Tops, etc., however, I have become a country music fan as I age and I love me some George Strait.
I watched a recording of the tribute and was impressed. I was a little concerned seeing as nobody can sing a George song quite like George. I admit that my iPod has enough George on it to last me from Iowa Park, TX to San Francisco, CA... DRIVING. That's roughly 24 hours, and I can sing right along with him on every song, hit or not! I'd say I'm close to his biggest fan and have been since Fort Worth crossed his mind! He is a real "Troubadour" and I hope he continues for many, many more years. Thanks for the post Bruce!
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