Yes, it is true.
George Strait is retiring.
Wait…no he isn’t.
George is retiring from touring, not recording.
Raise your hand if you didn’t think George already retired from touring years ago. I mean, I think he did 8-9 shows last year, right? Maybe 10 the year before. I only got to see him because Bastrop burned down.
Either way, when I started hearing rumors about George’s Press Conference and possible “retirement” I was devistated. It is GEORGE. He might not have been on the road much as of late, but his music has been one of the only constants in my life as long as I could remember. Hell, even the last CD we found in my dad’s CD player after his suicide was George’s 22 More Hits. I think you would be hard pressed to find a country music fan that can’t say George’s music hasn’t been the soundtrack to their lives. Retirement or not, that isn’t going to change. You will always be able to turn on the radio and some station on the dial is going to be a George Strait song playing.
I have decided to not mourn the loss of George until he actually croaks…and he looks pretty healthy. He looks like more of a gobbler than a spring chicken, but I’d still hit it.
If you missed the press conference, here you go. George showed up around the 15 minute mark. Everyone seems a little sad and teary eyed.
The 2013 dates of The Cowboy Rides Away tour will go on sale Oct. 12. Martina McBride will open 20 of the 21 shows.
The Cowboy Rides Away Tour Dates
1/18 – Lubbock, Texas
1/19 – Oklahoma City, Okla.
1/25 – Salt Lake City, Utah
1/26 – Nampa, Idaho
1/31 – Sacramento, Calif.
2/1 – Fresno, Calif.
2/2 – Las Vegas, Nev.
2/15 – St. Paul, Minn.
2/16 – Grand Forks, N.D.
2/22 – Buffalo, N.Y.
2/23 – Hartford, Conn.
3/1 – Knoxville, Tenn.
3/2 – Lexington, Ky.
3/17 – Houston, Texas
3/22 – Greenville, S.C.
3/23 – Greensboro, N.C.
4/5 – Albuquerque, N.M.
4/6 – Las Cruces, N.M.
4/12 – N. Little Rock, Ark.
4/13 – New Orleans, La.
6/1 – San Antonia, Texas
No DFW date, but don’t forget that George is closing out the Houston rodeo on that March date. Those tickets will go on sale in January. Since there isn’t a rodeo performance that day, the stadium floor seating will be available for $150. OUCH! Season ticket holders will have the option of retaining their seats for this concert and the other tickets will start at $25. Don’t forget that the Randy Rogers Band will be playing that show too!
Does anyone remember the George Strait Artist of the Decade show from a few years ago? All of this George talk reminded me of the special song LeeAnn Womack performed, “Just Stand There And Sing”. I loved this song and I especially giggled at how Norma doesn’t crack a smile at LW at all. Meow.
So what does George have to say about everything?
“This is going to be a very special, emotional tour for me,” he noted. “Everywhere we’re going holds fond memories and I’m looking forward to paying my respects.”
That’s a class act.
~Rb
Tim Mcgraw babbling on and on about how much of an inspiration he is was pretty funny.Truck Yeah!
So is Miranda lambert Playing rodeo Houston With him? George mentioned that at the press conderence yesterday but it had been the first I ever heard of it.
I dunno. I’ll check her posted tour dates.
I guess I could do that myself duhh. Haha