Country Mike Blog

George Strait, country's greatest singer, to ride away in Houston

Mike Sudhalter  |  March 15, 2013

George Strait may be from south of San Antonio, but the City of Houston has defined some great aspects of his career.

"All night, love all night, practices makes perfect, gonna get it right...gonna get it right, one night at a time."

It's the lyrics of one of the dozens of hits songs by George Harvey Strait, but it's also indicative of how he built his career. Little by little. Lots of consistency.

He doesn't fly from ceilings or run around the stage. It's simplicity in a way that entertainment rarely sees and may never see again - a South Texas rancher who quietly makes hits.

If Strait had sought the spotlight, he surely could have found it. When it comes to musical success, he rivals the likes of Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson and had certainly been more consistent than the King of Rock and King of Pop, respectively.

On Sunday, he'll play the final Houston show of his Cowboys Rides Away tour at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.

It was in Space City where a young buck got a quick phone call saying Eddie Rabbitt was sick, and they needed someone to fill in. The talented Texan took the call, and the rest is history.

He also recorded his first live album from the Astrodome a decade ago. The Astrodome is Reliant Stadium's predecessor.

He got his start at Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos and played the grand opening of the Cowboys Stadium near Dallas.

The beautiful thing about Strait is that just about anywhere in Texas can claim him. Of course, the San Antonio and surrounding areas. Houston. And even West Texas, thanks to the success of "Amarillo by Morning."

We hope there's an encore tour after this one, but if not, let's tip our Stetsons to one of the greatest country singers who ever stepped on the stage.