Rise to Success: Career Highlights of George Strait
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how George Strait made an impact.
George Strait is a highly influential American country music singer, songwriter, actor, and producer. Known as the "King of Country," he is revered for his traditional sound and commitment to the genre's roots. With a career spanning decades, Strait has achieved immense commercial success, selling millions of albums and topping the charts with numerous singles. He is celebrated for his distinctive baritone voice, heartfelt performances, and contributions to country music, solidifying his place as a legend in the industry. He has received multiple awards and accolades, including Grammy Awards and Country Music Association Awards.
February 1981: Signing with MCA Records
In February 1981, George Strait signed a recording contract with MCA Records, marking a crucial turning point in his music career.
1981: Release of First Single
In 1981, George Strait released his first single "Unwound" for MCA Records, which reached number six on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
1981: First Top 10 Hit
In 1981, George Strait's debut single "Unwound" peaked at number six on the Hot Country Singles chart, marking the beginning of a 30-year streak of having at least one single enter the top 10 of a Billboard chart.
1981: First Hit Single "Unwound"
In 1981, George Strait's first single "Unwound" became a hit, launching his successful career and introducing the neotraditional movement.
1982: Bit Part in "The Soldier"
In 1982, George Strait had a small role in the film "The Soldier", marking one of his early forays into acting.
1982: Release of Strait from the Heart
In 1982, George Strait released his second album, Strait from the Heart, which featured his first number-one single, "Fool Hearted Memory".
1983: Start of the George Strait Team Roping Classic
From 1983 through 2017, George Strait hosted a prestigious, annual team-roping event; The George Strait Team Roping Classic.
1983: String of Number One Hits Begins
In 1983, George Strait began a string of five number-one hits from his albums 'Right or Wrong' and 'Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind'.
1983: First Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Appearance
In 1983, George Strait made his first appearance at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, starting a long-standing tradition.
1984: Continued Number One Albums
In 1984, George Strait continued his success with number-one albums and CMA award-winning work for 'Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind'.
1985: Establishment of Endowment Fund
In 1985, George Strait established an endowment fund at Texas State University for the development and operation of the Freeman Ranch, supporting agricultural purposes and scholarships.
1985: CMA Award and Compilation Release
In 1985, George Strait won the CMA award for top male vocalist and released his first greatest hits compilation.
1986: Release of "Nobody in His Right Mind Would've Left Her"
In 1986, George Strait released "Nobody in His Right Mind Would've Left Her", beginning a streak of 11 straight number-one hits.
1986: CMA Vocalist of the Year and Number One Album
In 1986, George Strait repeated as the CMA vocalist of the year and released his fourth number-one album, #7.
1987: Release of "Ocean Front Property"
In 1987, George Strait released "Ocean Front Property", which was part of an album of the same name that debuted at number one on the charts.
1988: Release of "If You Ain't Lovin' You Ain't Livin'"
In 1988, George Strait released "If You Ain't Lovin' You Ain't Livin'", adding to his collection of hit songs.
1989: CMA Entertainer of the Year
In 1989, George Strait was named CMA Entertainer of the Year, marking a high point in his career.
1990: Release of 'Livin' It Up'
In 1990, George Strait released his 10th studio album, 'Livin' It Up', featuring the multi-week hit "Love Without End, Amen."
1990: CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year
In 1990, George Strait won both CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year awards, solidifying his place in country music.
1991: Release of 'Chill of an Early Fall'
In 1991, George Strait released 'Chill of an Early Fall', which received positive reviews and produced number-one songs.
1992: Release of 'Holding My Own'
In 1992, George Strait released 'Holding My Own', which included two top-five songs but no number ones.
1992: Starred in "Pure Country"
In 1992, George Strait starred in the film "Pure Country", a significant role in his acting career.
1993: Release of 'Easy Come, Easy Go'
In 1993, George Strait released the album 'Easy Come, Easy Go', which reached the top five on the Billboard 200 and included hit songs.
1994: Release of 'Lead On'
In 1994, George Strait released the album 'Lead On', which charted at number one.
1995: Release of 'Strait Out of the Box'
In 1995, George Strait released the four-disc box set 'Strait Out of the Box', a career retrospective that became the second-best-selling box set ever.
1996: Release of 'Blue Clear Sky'
In 1996, George Strait released the album 'Blue Clear Sky', which charted at number one on its debut week.
1997: Release of 'Carrying Your Love with Me'
In 1997, George Strait released 'Carrying Your Love with Me', which peaked at number one on the Billboard 200.
1997: George Strait Country Music Festival Begins
Starting in 1997 and continuing until 2001, George Strait headlined the George Strait Country Music Festival, featuring numerous artists.
1998: Release of 'One Step at a Time'
In 1998, George Strait released 'One Step at a Time', which charted at number one and contributed to his success.
1998: Ninth-Biggest Grossing Tour
In 1998, the George Strait Country Music Festival tour became the ninth-biggest grossing tour of the year.
1999: Release of 'Always Never the Same'
In 1999, George Strait released the album 'Always Never the Same', which peaked at number two on country charts and reached number six on the Billboard 200.
2000: Release of self-titled album
In 2000, George Strait released a self-titled album that reached number one on the country charts and number seven on the Billboard 200 chart, but it did not produce any number-one singles and wasn't certified platinum.
May 2001: Release of 'The Road Less Traveled'
In May 2001, George Strait released the album 'The Road Less Traveled', which received mostly positive reviews and was considered an experimental album by some critics.
2001: George Strait Country Music Festival Ends
Starting in 1997 and ending in 2001, George Strait headlined the George Strait Country Music Festival, featuring numerous artists.
2002: Appearance in "Grand Champion"
In 2002, George Strait appeared as himself in the film "Grand Champion".
2003: Release of 'For the Last Time: Live from the Astrodome'
In 2003, George Strait released 'For the Last Time: Live from the Astrodome', a recording of his performance at the last Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in the Astrodome. The 2003 performance set a record for paid attendance at the venue.
2004: Release of '50 Number Ones'
In 2004, George Strait released '50 Number Ones', a greatest hits package, and his performance at Reliant Stadium set a new rodeo attendance record. "I Hate Everything" also became his 51st overall number one in 2004.
October 3, 2006: Release of 'It Just Comes Natural'
On October 3, 2006, George Strait released the album 'It Just Comes Natural', marking his 30th year in the music industry. The album received positive reviews and produced the number one single, "Give It Away".
2007: "Wrapped" reached number one
In 2007, "Wrapped" reached number one on the Mediabase 24/7 country music charts, giving George Strait his 55th overall number-one single. Also from January through April of that year, Strait headlined a 23-date arena tour with Ronnie Milsap and Taylor Swift.
April 1, 2008: Release of 'Troubadour'
On April 1, 2008, George Strait released his album 'Troubadour', which included duets with Patty Loveless and Dean Dillon and debuted at number one on the Billboard Top 200 album charts.
May 28, 2009: Release of "Living for the Night"
On May 28, 2009, George Strait's single "Living for the Night" was released. It was written by Strait, his son Bubba, and Dean Dillon.
August 11, 2009: Release of 'Twang'
On August 11, 2009, George Strait released his album 'Twang', which was later certified gold.
2009: "River of Love" Becomes Number One
In 2009, "River of Love", the third single from the album Troubadour, became George Strait's 57th number-one song.
2010: Spokesman for Wrangler National Patriot Program
Since 2010, George Strait has served as spokesman for the Wrangler National Patriot program, raising awareness and funds for wounded and fallen military veterans and their families.
September 6, 2011: Release of 'Here for a Good Time'
On September 6, 2011, George Strait released the album 'Here for a Good Time', which produced two number-one singles.
September 26, 2012: Retirement Announcement
On September 26, 2012, George Strait announced his retirement from touring, with his Cowboy Rides Away Tour to be his last.
October 2012: Release of "Give It All We Got Tonight"
In October 2012, George Strait released the single "Give It All We Got Tonight", initiating a "60 for 60" movement.
2012: Creation of Vaqueros Del Mar Invitational
In 2012, George Strait and Tom Cusick created the Vaqueros Del Mar Invitational Golf Tournament and Concert to benefit the Troops First Foundation.
January 18, 2013: Start of the Cowboy Rides Away Tour
On January 18, 2013, George Strait's 'Cowboy Rides Away Tour' started in Lubbock, Texas, marking his farewell to touring.
May 14, 2013: Release of 'Love Is Everything'
On May 14, 2013, George Strait released his album 'Love Is Everything'.
May 2013: "Give It All We Got Tonight" Reaches Number One
In May 2013, George Strait's song "Give It All We Got Tonight" reached the top of the Mediabase charts.
2013: CMA Entertainer of the Year Award
In 2013, George Strait was named CMA Entertainer of the Year again, adding to his list of accolades.
2013: Held world record for most number one hit singles
Since 2013, Strait has held the world record for most number one hit singles across all charts and genres with 60 number-one hits.
June 7, 2014: End of the Cowboy Rides Away Tour
On June 7, 2014, George Strait concluded his 'Cowboy Rides Away Tour' in Arlington, Texas.
September 16, 2014: Release of 'The Cowboy Rides Away: Live from AT&T Stadium'
On September 16, 2014, George Strait released the live album 'The Cowboy Rides Away: Live from AT&T Stadium', recorded from his final concert in Arlington.
November 10, 2014: DVD/CD Release of 'The Cowboy Rides Away: Live from AT&T Stadium'
On November 10, 2014, DVD/CDs of George Strait's concert, 'The Cowboy Rides Away: Live from AT&T Stadium', were released.
2014: ACM Entertainer of the Year
In 2014, George Strait won the ACM Entertainer of the Year award, recognizing his continued success in country music.
2017: End of the George Strait Team Roping Classic
From 1983 through 2017, George Strait hosted a prestigious, annual team-roping event; The George Strait Team Roping Classic.
January 2018: Named Texan of the Year
In January 2018, George Strait was named the 2018 Texan of the Year by the Texas Legislative Conference for his fundraising efforts following Hurricane Harvey.
2018: Release of "Codigo"
In 2018, George Strait released a single called "Codigo", after a brand of tequila in which he had invested.
June 15, 2024: Record-Breaking Concert at Kyle Field
On Saturday, June 15, 2024, George Strait broke the record for most fans at a U.S. concert by a single headlining act, with 110,905 fans at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas.
2024: Largest Ticketed Concert in U.S. History
In mid-2024, George Strait set a record for the largest ticketed concert for a single act in U.S. history, with over 110,905 people at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas.
