Strait, George (1952-…), an American singer and guitarist, is one of the most popular performers in country music. He is known for his rugged good looks and his fresh approach to traditional honky-tonk and Western swing music. Honky-tonk has a stronger beat than other types of country music. Western swing combines country music with big-band jazz music. Strait has recorded more number-one hits than any other country singer, and his songs and albums have won many awards.
George Harvey Strait was born on May 18, 1952, in Poteet, Texas, and grew up on a ranch in Pearsall, Texas. He played in a rock band in high school. Strait served in the United States Army from 1971 to 1975 and played in a country band at his Army base. He graduated from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University-San Marcos) in 1979 with a degree in agriculture. While attending college, Strait was the lead singer of a country band called Ace in the Hole. Executives from MCA Records saw Strait perform in a Texas club and signed him to a recording contract.
Strait’s first single, “Unwound,” was released in 1981 and became a top-10 country hit. It was included on his hit album Strait Country. The album also featured the top-10 country hit “If You’re Thinking You Want a Stranger (There’s One Coming Home).”
Strait’s many other country hits include “Fool Hearted Memory” and “Amarillo by Morning” (both 1982); “The Fireman” (1984); “The Chair” (1985); “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” and “Ocean Front Property” (both 1987); ”Heartland” and “Cross My Heart” (both 1992); “Blue Clear Sky” and “Check Yes or No” (both 1996); “Murder on Music Row” (2000, with Alan Jackson); “She’ll Leave You with a Smile” (2001); “Living and Living Well” (2002); “You’ll Be There” (2005); “Give It Away” and “It Just Comes Natural” (both 2006); and “I Saw God Today” (2008). Strait was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006. In 2009, he was named the Academy of Country Music’s artist of the decade.
