Country artist George Strait is retiring; information on final tour

I am sorry to hear that George Strait, known as the King of Country Music,  King George and the Texas Troubadour,  is retiring :(. His final tour starts in January 2013.  If you are reading this blog post as a result of something I sent to you or your group, chances are that one of the concert dates is in your area. A list of the tour, to date, is at http://www.georgestrait.com/calendar.asp. Most likely, more dates and places will be added later. Remember, this tour is your last chance to see him live.

I strongly recommend that you see this guy, he is GREAT. He has been performing since 1980, and has nearly 60 #1 hit songs. I have seen him four times, each one better than the last.  Listening to and understanding true country music will give you great insight into American culture lol, something important if you later seek a green card.  If you have never heard a George Strait song on the radio during your time in school, I will be shocked.  Probably you heard one but didn't make the connection, so if you go to the concert, you might recognize at least one song lol.

He has many “hit” songs, so naming favorites is hard. However, the ones I like best are

-              “Check Yes or No”

Guy looks back on how he met wife, now married 20 years. When they were both in third grade, she gave him a note that said “Do you love me? Do you wanna be my friend? I think this is how love goes, check yes or no”  http://savetubevideo.com/?v=NHxS8wlDngI  

-              “The Best Day”

Three events in lives of father and son. 1. Son is 7 years old, they go camping 2. Son turns 15, dad buys car for son, they work together to fix it up. 3. Son is about to get married. Each time, son says, “Dad, this could be the best day of my life.” http://www.savetubevideo.com/?v=j6HDfJogNx0  

-              “Amarillo by Morning”

Cowboy is hoping to get to Amarillo TX in time to compete in a rodeo. http://www.savetubevideo.com/?v=kX_9Go0Z8e4  

-              “The Chair”

Guy says to girl in a bar, “Sorry, you are sitting in my chair.” Additional conversation, all from guy’s perspective. At the end, we learn the truth about the chair.  http://www.savetubevideo.com/?v=ceoh9Y_Ixug  (1996) and http://www.savetubevideo.com/?v=QvBCDejG-pk (mid 1980s)

If you go to a concert, here is some helpful information:
- the band always comes out first, George Strait himself will come out later. I mention this because one of the guys in the band, a guitarist, wears a cowboy hat just like the one George Strait wears. My daughter saw this man, as the band was getting ready, and asked.
- the band will start playing an instrumental-only version of "Deep in the Heart of Texas." About 30 seconds into the song, George Strait will enter, of course to raucous cheers.First vocal song in the past was "Twang," but I think this time it will be "Here for a Good Time." www.savetubevideo.com/?v=HG4LP_IhvC0&feature=share&list=PLEB3A9D104DA7AB99 
- do not be fooled by the APPARENT end of the concert. Usually, after "Unwound," he and the band will wave and leave the stage, and the stage will go dark. DO NOT LEAVE. The concert is NOT over. They will come back and do three or four more songs, including probably "Folsom Prison Blues" and "All My Exes Live in Texas." He usually does 28-30 songs.
- It isn't over until he sings "The Cowboy Rides Away." http://savetubevideo.com/?v=JJVuTVVcu50

If you go, please let me know what you thought. Thanks.

Here is photo of younger daughter, Rayna, and me in May 2009 at PNC Arts Center, in Holmdel NJ.

Here is a photo of George Strait at that May 2009 concert:

Here is a photo of Blake Shelton, who was one of the opening acts. This is the same guy who was a judge on the TV show "The Voice."