Any George Strait Fans Out There?

George Strait is like a beer and a hot dog at a baseball game. Or PBJ on Wonder Bread (crusts cut off, of course). There is nothing spectacular about the behatted star. There is nothing surprising about him, either. And yet, the 55-year-old is safe, comforting, absolutely necessary. In other words, George Strait is awesome in his predictability, the very definition of money in the bank.

With that chiseled grin, crisp baritone and arsenal of know-’em-by-heart country hits — Amarillo by Morning, All My Ex’s Live in Texas, I Cross My Heart — Strait and his Ace in the Hole Gang line ’em up and knock ’em down. Simple as that. He is dependable, he is trustworthy — he is straight as an arrow. And he’s one of the biggest musical stars on the planet. Hot dog and a beer, anyone?

George Strait, with Little Big Town and Sarah Johns, performs Saturday, January 19 at 7:30 p.m. St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa. $54.50-$64.50. (813) 301-2500.

Comments

[DG]

I saw George Strait a few years back at Raymond James Stadium, headlining a day-long show. Unfortunately, he made 2 glaring errors:

1. He hardly played any of his hits, instead favoring old Bob Wills songs (which most of the younger audience members recognized or wanted to hear).

2. He had Alan Jackson play immediately before him. That guy not only played his hits, he put on a great show.

[Guy]

The problem with Strait is that he has too many hits and can only fit so many in a show. This forces him to focus on the more recent ones, many of which, while good, suffer in comparison to the classics.

Sure, you'll get Amarillo by Morning, the Fireman and the Chair, but Ex's, Ocean Front Property and others will be skipped in favor of Bob Wills covers and 3-4 cuts from his current CD.

At least he doesn't waste valuable time engaging in between-song chatter.

[Sean Daly]

Yeah, but isn't he touring on a new hits package? "22 More Hits" or something like that? Oh well. Better brush up on my Bob Wills.

[Marissa]

Uhm, uh, hmmm yep ... I got nuthin'. Nice blue, striped shirt on George, though.

[sparky]

I for one like the between song chatter. I like to know the entertainer at least knows what city he is in and acknowledges the fans for 1. Buying the albums. 2. Paying to see the show.

From the sounds of things SD you got screwed. Spears gets to see Night Ranger and you get to see GS.

[Jeff in Cuba]

SD,

Isn't that the same electic-blue, unbuttoned-to-the-sternum shirt you wore on television last month?

[Bassnote]

George Strait, one word... BORING! I'm not a big fan of country music, but as a DJ I am forced to play it sometimes. I can tolerate most country music, old and new (I prefer the old), but George can put insomniacs to sleep. You're in for a good nap Sean.

[Sean Daly]

Indeed, Jeff, it seems George and I are shopping at the same Kmart.

Of course, if this were US Weekly, 97-percent of readers would prefer George in the shirt than me.

[Bassnote]

Sean, I'll take you over George Strait any time (in a strictly plutonic way).

[Sean Daly]

Thanks, Bassnote...uh, I think.

Hey Bassnote -- did you like the Night Ranger podcast? Highs? Lows?

[Bassnote]

Loved it. Jack was great. No low points at all. I will say the lobster story had me both frightened and riveted at the same time. My only question is, why didn't you ask him about his solo album?

[Sean Daly]

Basically, we had "15 minutes" with Blades -- so you shoot for larger brushstrokes and work from there. Alas, the solo album is more of a "45 minutes" question.

[Ray]

Even when I didn't like country music, I liked George Strait.

Like some of the other folks that posted earlier, I saw GS on a stadium tour back in the late 90s at the "Ted" in Atlanta. The sound at the show was awful. The experience of seeing GS in concert was a little disappointing for the reasons already expressed.

With that said, the dude has had phenomenal success over the past 25 years and still puts out great hits.

[sparky]

SD,

Do you have the solo Blades album?

[jane]

As a faithful reader of US Weekly (yet another of my dirty little secrets), I would have been in that 3 percent of those polled who liked you better in the blue shirt, Mr. Daly. Better there than in the Fashion Hits/Misses in the back of the mag.

[Al]

Sean, you have any idea how healthy Wonder Bread is? Zip.

Enjoy the concert. I'll be cranking Night Ranger's GH's while working out.

[SAS]

I happen to love George Strait. His music is entertaining and rememorable. He doesn't have to do too much to get a response from his fans. His shows are like a rock show and all he does is pick a guitar and stand there. The women(of all ages) go crazy for him especialy when he sings "I Just Want To Dance With You", "The Chair" or "You Look So Good In Love". He has hits like "Check Yes or No", Amirillo By Morning", "The Firemen", "Cowboys Like Us" and his newest hit "Give IT Away" that he performs at every show. He has too many hits to put in a nearly 2 hour show. He also, to answer an earlier comment, has recorder numerous Bob Wills songs and "Right or Wrong" was a #1 hit for him. He has been doing this for over 25 years continuing to make hits and with 55 #1 Hits and 34 Gold records and now 14 plantinum records to his name he must be pretty entertaining. His music is special and stands alone. George Strait is country music to its core.

[SAS]

I happen to love George Strait. His music is entertaining and rememorable. He doesn't have to do too much to get a response from his fans. His shows are like a rock show and all he does is pick a guitar and stand there. The women(of all ages) go crazy for him especialy when he sings "I Just Want To Dance With You", "The Chair" or "You Look So Good In Love". He has hits like "Check Yes or No", Amirillo By Morning", "The Firemen", "Cowboys Like Us" and his newest hit "Give IT Away" that he performs at every show. He has too many hits to put in a nearly 2 hour show. He also, to answer an earlier comment, has recorder numerous Bob Wills songs and "Right or Wrong" was a #1 hit for him. He has been doing this for over 25 years continuing to make hits and with 55 #1 Hits and 34 Gold records and now 14 plantinum records to his name he must be pretty entertaining. His music is special and stands alone. George Strait is country music to its core.