Country Mike Blog

Strait Tonight

Mike Sudhalter  |  January 31, 2008

I'm looking forward to seeing George Strait for the fourth time tonight. It seems like I see him about every four years - 1996, 2001, 2006 and now, 2008.

The 1996 show was the first country concert I'd ever attended, and Steve Wariner opened for him at the Centrum in Worcester, Mass. It was quite an experience to have my first country show be such a great one and see that country music fans do exist in the Northeast. I thought they did, but that show proved it to me.

In 2001, it was amazing. Strait was playing Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. with Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Sara Evans, Lee Ann Womack, Lonestar and Asleep At The Wheel also on the bill. I had floor seats for the show, and the best part was when Strait and AJ sang together.

Two years ago, The King of Country came to Sacramento's Arco Arena with Tracy Lawrence and Miranda Lambert. It kind of reminded me of the '96 show with some different tunes, of course.

That's where he'll be tonight, this time with Josh Turner and Sarah Johns. I'm not gonna miss the fact that Little Big Town won't be there. Well stay tuned, for an updated blog after the show.

Hopefully, No. 4 will be the best show yet.