George Strait's Success and Achievements in Timeline
A closer look at the biggest achievements of George Strait. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.
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.
1966: Eddy Arnold Inducted into Hall of Fame
In 1966, Eddy Arnold was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
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.
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: 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: 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.
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: 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.
1997: CMA's Top Male Vocalist
In 1997, George Strait was named CMA's Top Male Vocalist, marking continued recognition of his talent.
1998: CMA's Top Male Vocalist Award
In 1998, George Strait was named CMA's Top Male Vocalist, marking continued recognition of his talent.
1998: Ninth-Biggest Grossing Tour
In 1998, the George Strait Country Music Festival tour became the ninth-biggest grossing tour of the year.
May 26, 2006: Honorary Doctoral Degree
On May 26, 2006, George Strait was presented with an honorary doctoral degree by Texas State University in San Marcos.
2006: Induction into Country Music Hall of Fame
In 2006, George Strait was elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame and performed "Give it Away" at the 40th CMA Awards before accepting his Hall of Fame plaque.
October 2008: Artist of the Decade
In October 2008, the Academy of Country Music Awards named George Strait their Artist of the Decade for the 2000s. He was presented with the award by Garth Brooks.
April 2009: Academy of Country Music Artist of the Decade Award
In April 2009, George Strait was honored by the Academy of Country Music with the Artist of the Decade Award.
2009: Most CMA awards
As of 2009, George Strait held the record for the most CMA awards.
June 8, 2010: Top Country Artist of the Past 25 Years
On June 8, 2010, Billboard named George Strait the top country-music artist of the past 25 years.
2010: Billboard's Top Country Artist
In 2010, Billboard ranked George Strait number one in the top 25 country artists of the past 25 years.
November 2013: Billboard's Legend of Live Honor
In November 2013, Billboard presented George Strait with its Legend of Live honor, making him the first country artist to receive the accolade.
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.
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.
2016: Performance on "Forever Country"
In 2016, George Strait was selected as one of 30 artists to perform on "Forever Country", celebrating 50 years of the CMA Awards.
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.
2023: Rolling Stone's 200 Greatest Singers List
In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked George Strait at number 156 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.
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.
2025: Induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame
George Strait was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2025, cementing his legacy in the entertainment industry.
