By Dalton Belcher
As I sit tonight listening to George Strait's "The Cowboy Rides Away: Live From AT&T Stadium", a live album from the record-setting performance. Strait has had an unprecedented run atop Country music, 60 number one songs which is an all-genre record and Strait holds the record for the most number one albums, gold albums, platinum albums, and multi-platinum albums in Country music. When you consider his all time success being up there with such legendary acts like The Beatles and Elvis Presley, it's hard to really grasp the success he's had.
Strait came onto the scene in 1981 with his first top ten cut "Unwound" and from then on, "The Cowboy" has rode a massive wave of success. Over 30 years, Strait has managed to remain relevant and successful, whether it was crooning "Marina Del Rey" or his latest number one hit "Here For a Good Time", Strait has remained. In Country music, many have come and gone since George Strait, Garth Brooks peaked and took a self-imposed hiatus, legendary voices like Travis Tritt and Vince Gill can't boast the same sustained period of success, and even the acts that have been strong since the 90s (Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, and Tim McGraw to name a few) can't claim chart success or longevity like Strait. That's not to say he's just the King of Country Music, because of his staying power, it's a factor, but it's not he whole story. Strait was able to usher in a neo-traditionalist movement in the genre, that was (at the time) heavy on Pop elements. Strait starred in movies, but never "went Hollywood". Strait quietly went about his business being the industry standard for how an artist should conduct their business and how a person should remain humble through all successes and triumphs. He never discussed politics or the charity work he did (without PR, because that's really the most genuine way to do it), he just put on his signature cowboy hats and entertained millions upon millions.
To say that another artist could ever reach a comparable level of success is a major undertaking, popular acts like Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean would need another 20 or so years of chart dominance and success. Others like Chesney and McGraw continue to make music, but have slowed down as both have seen success in the movie business and have taken a back seat to the new acts. What Strait leaves behind as he retires from active touring (but not recording albums, as he is still under contract for multiple more), is a legacy unlike any other and one we are not going to see matched anytime soon.
As I sit tonight listening to George Strait's "The Cowboy Rides Away: Live From AT&T Stadium", a live album from the record-setting performance. Strait has had an unprecedented run atop Country music, 60 number one songs which is an all-genre record and Strait holds the record for the most number one albums, gold albums, platinum albums, and multi-platinum albums in Country music. When you consider his all time success being up there with such legendary acts like The Beatles and Elvis Presley, it's hard to really grasp the success he's had.
Strait came onto the scene in 1981 with his first top ten cut "Unwound" and from then on, "The Cowboy" has rode a massive wave of success. Over 30 years, Strait has managed to remain relevant and successful, whether it was crooning "Marina Del Rey" or his latest number one hit "Here For a Good Time", Strait has remained. In Country music, many have come and gone since George Strait, Garth Brooks peaked and took a self-imposed hiatus, legendary voices like Travis Tritt and Vince Gill can't boast the same sustained period of success, and even the acts that have been strong since the 90s (Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, and Tim McGraw to name a few) can't claim chart success or longevity like Strait. That's not to say he's just the King of Country Music, because of his staying power, it's a factor, but it's not he whole story. Strait was able to usher in a neo-traditionalist movement in the genre, that was (at the time) heavy on Pop elements. Strait starred in movies, but never "went Hollywood". Strait quietly went about his business being the industry standard for how an artist should conduct their business and how a person should remain humble through all successes and triumphs. He never discussed politics or the charity work he did (without PR, because that's really the most genuine way to do it), he just put on his signature cowboy hats and entertained millions upon millions.
To say that another artist could ever reach a comparable level of success is a major undertaking, popular acts like Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean would need another 20 or so years of chart dominance and success. Others like Chesney and McGraw continue to make music, but have slowed down as both have seen success in the movie business and have taken a back seat to the new acts. What Strait leaves behind as he retires from active touring (but not recording albums, as he is still under contract for multiple more), is a legacy unlike any other and one we are not going to see matched anytime soon.