Strait sets attendance record
Monday, June 9, 2014 – George Strait broke the indoor concert attendance record for North America with 104,793 in attendance at the final show of "The Cowboy Rides Away Tour," what was announced as his final show ever.
The show featured such guests as Jason Aldean, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert , Kenny Chesney and Vince Gill,
During the 3-hour show, Strait played 40 songs from throughout his storied career, including 20 of his massive 60 number 1 hits.
The Rolling Stones had held the previous record from a 1981 concert, drawing about 87,500 fans to the Louisiana Superdome.
Strait appeared on the stage after a warm welcoming introduction from Ray Benson of opening performers Asleep at the Wheel. After opening with "Check Yes Or No," Strait told the crowd, "I can't tell you how excited I am to be here tonight, it's been on my mind since we started this tour two years ago."
After two songs, Strait welcomed his first of nine special guests, Vince Gill, for the evening to the stage.
Amidst the hits, Strait continued his tour tradition of presenting a home as part of the Military Warriors Support Foundation (MWSF) "Homes 4 Wounded Heroes" (H4WH). Sergeant First Class Leroy Arthur Petry, a medal of honor recipient, and his wife Ashley were recognized as 51st recipients from the tour and received a million dollar home in the Dallas area.
The 2013-2014 H4WH home presentations were made possible through Strait's longtime friend, Lieutenant General Leroy Sisco, U.S. Army (Retired). The homes made available for the program are donated to MWSF through partnerships and, as unveiled at Strait's first 2013 show in Lubbock, Texas, were awarded to at least one service member at every tour stop on tour. All of the recipient families from the tour stops also received groceries for a year from Walmart, a flat screen television, and an entire George Strait CD collection.
Strait also partnered with CID Entertainment to facilitate a charity auction at every 2013 and 2014 tour stop including front row Troubadour Package tickets, a meet-and-greet with Strait. After the final 2014 tour stop in Dallas, the program has raised $1,325,619 for The Jenifer Strait Foundation ($239,302 in 2013 and $1,086,317 in 2014) with over 3,000 VIPs ticketholders hosted and 500 travel packages accommodated.
The set list was:
"Check Yes or No"
"A Fire I Can't Put Out"
"Lovebug" with Special Guest Vince Gill
"Does Ft. Worth Ever Cross Your Mind" with Special Guest Vince Gill
"River of Love"
"Lead On"
"Fool Hearted Memory" with Special Guest Jason Aldean
"Nobody in His Right Mind Would Have Left Her" with Special Guest Jason Aldean
"Arkansas Dave"
"I Saw God Today"
"Cowboys Like Us" with Special Guest Eric Church
"Easy Come Easy Go" with Special Guest Eric Church
"The King of Breaking Hearts"
"Marina Del Rey"
"Here For A Good Time" with Special Guest Sheryl Crow
"When Did You Stop Loving Me" with Special Guest Sheryl Crow
"I Can Still Make Cheyenne"
"Drinkin' Man"
"Jackson" with Special Guest Martina McBride
"Golden Ring" with Special Guest Martina McBride
Military Warrior Support Foundation Home Giveaway
"Give It Away"
"I Got A Car"
"A Showman's Life" with Special Guest Faith Hill
"Let's Fall To Pieces Together" with Special Guest Faith Hill
"I Believe"
"Blame It On Mexico"
"Amarillo By Morning" with Special Guest Alan Jackson
"Murder On Music Row" with Special Guest Alan Jackson
"The Chair"
"Give It All We Got Tonight"
"How 'Bout Them Cowgirls" wit Special Guest Miranda Lambert
"Run" with Special Guest Miranda Lambert
"You Look So Good In Love"
"I'll Always Remember You"
"Ocean Front Property" with Special Guest Kenny Chesney
"The Fireman" with Special Guest Kenny Chesney
"Troubadour"
"Unwound"
Encore (Strait was joined by all special guests):
All My Ex's Live In Texas'
"Folsom Prison Blues"
"The Cowboy Rides Away"
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