DECEMBER 2006, JANUARY, FEBRUARY 2007 VOL. 24 NO. 4 Bubba,Bubba, NormaNorma andand GeorgeGeorge StraitStrait CMACMA -- 40th40th AnnualAnnual -- NovemberNovember 6,6, 20062006 George Strait Inducted Into Country Music Hall of Fame Nashville, TN - The King of Country Jimmie Rodgers, Fred Rose, and Hank called Rambling Country. Upon leaving Music secured his reign last night at the Williams. Other 2006 inductees the Service in 1975, Strait enrolled in 40th Annual CMA Awards as he was musician/producer Harold Bradley and Southwest Texas University in San inducted into the Country Marcos, where he graduated Music Hall of Fame. George in 1979 with a degree in agri- Strait is the second artist culture. While at the univer- elected in the “Career sity, he formed the country Achieved National band Ace in the Hole. In Prominence between 1975 1979, Strait became friends and the Present” category, with Erv Woolsey, a Texas which was created last year. club owner and former MCA He was presented for induc- Records employee. Woolsey tion by 2004 Hall of Fame invited MCA executives to honoree Kris Kristofferson, watch Strait perform, and in who praised Strait’s longevi- 1980 Strait was signed to ty, noting that “for music MCA Records with Woolsey consistency and durability, as his manager. none in his generation can The next year, George Strait match him.” released his first album, A beaming Strait took the “Strait Country,” and his stage to a standing ovation. debut single, “Unwound,” Ever humble, he thanked his became a Top 10 hit. Since fans first for their support, landing his first chart-topper, saying, “Don’t think I don’t he has had at least one song realize why I’m here,” and in the Top 10 every year. then went on to thank coun- Strait’s current singe, “It Just try radio, his record label, Comes Natural,” continues producer, manager, band and that tradition. crew and his family. “His consistent dedication The Hall of Fame was cre- to traditional, Texas-based ated by the Country Music Association in singer Sonny James. honky tonk is unparalleled… How does he 1961 to recognize significant contributions George Strait, whose name has become do it? Simple and simply,” writes to the advancement of country music by synonymous with pure country, began his Louisville (Ky.) Courier-Journal critic individuals in both the creative and busi- music career in 1971 after he enlisted in Jeffrey Lee Puckett. ness communities. Its first members were the Army and started playing in a group Continued on page 5 STRAIT TALK Mega Star George Strait Announces Plans For His 2007 Arena Tour The Multi-Platinum Artist Invites Legendary Ronnie Milsap to Special Guest Nashville, TN - Superstar and upcoming came from,” says the Philadelphia Inquirer. industry awards and countless nomina- CMA Hall of Fame Inductee George Strait George has sold nearly 70 million records tions. George Strait has had 65 Country announces dates for the first leg of his and counting. With 26 different platinum Music Association nominations. He was 2007 tour. The arena tour will kick off or multi-platinum albums, he’s earned the the CMA “Vocalist of the Year” five times January 11 in Lafayette, LA with perform- second most certifications of any artist in and the only artist in history to be so hon- ances scheduled all across the country any genre, following only Elvis Presley. “It ored in two different decades. He has from Louisiana, Tennessee and Just Comes Natural,” marks Strait’s 25th recently been inducted in the coveted Pennsylvania to Oregon, Washington and anniversary as a recording artist and with a Country Music Hall of Fame. Nevada just to name a few. total of 53, George Strait has more #1 Grammy Award-winning and multi-plat- The Texas singer is a former must see, no songs than any other single artist in history inum recording artist Ronnie Milsap will matter what part of the country! During his (including Elvis). be Strait’s special guest. Also performing 2006 arena tour, The King of Country Throughout his career, George Strait has on the tour will be newcomer teenage sen- Music continued his streak of selling out received more than 40 major entertainment sation Taylor Swift.n and setting attendance records. Strait broke his own attendance record at Little Rock’s Alltel Arena (previously set in 2004). The same week, other sold-out shows included Omaha’s Qwest Center and Oklahoma 2007 Tour Schedule City’s Ford Center. George Strait holds Date City & State Venue more than 20 attendance records at venues 1/11 Lafayette, LA Cajundome from coast to coast. 1/12 Shreveport, LA CenturyTel Center His live shows are hailed by critics and 1/13 Memphis, TN FedEx Forum fans and if there were a single grievance, 1/18 Hershey, PA Hershey Park it’s the problem of having too many hits to 1/19 Charlottesville, VA John Paul Jones Arena cover! With 53 Number One songs 1/20 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum (Billboard’s all-time leader for number one 1/25 Portland, OR Rose Quarter country singles) and 74 Top 10 and 78 Top 1/26 Boise, ID Taco Bell Arena 20 hits, George might just miss a favorite 1/27 Tacoma, WA Tacomadome or two. His recent critically-acclaimed and Number One CD, “It Just Comes Natural,” 2/1 Las Cruces, NM Pan American Center delivers 15 more cuts for fans to choose 2/2 Phoenix, AZ America West Arena from. 2/3 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Garden Arena “Strait is not merely a decent singer, he’s 2/15 Hoffman Estates, IL Sears Center Arena master. There are 15 songs here, and not a 2/16 Pittsburgh, PA Mellon Arena one of them should have been left off,” 2/17 Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena says The Tennessean. “If ever there was a 2/22 Indianapolis, IN Conseco Fieldhouse natural in country music, it’s Strait,” says 2/23 Knoxville, TN Thompson-Bowling Arena People Magazine with a 4-star review. “He 2/24 North Charleston, SC North Charleston Coliseum continues to make such consistent quality 3/2 Kansas City, MO Kemper Arena look easy,” says USA Today. “He makes it 3/3 Denver, CO Pepsi Arena sound so effortless that you wouldn’t be surprised there were 53 more where that STRAIT TALK Hallmark’s George Strait Album “Fresh Cut Christmas” Certifies Platinum in One Week Hallmark announced today that “Fresh Gold Crown® Cut Christmas,” a holiday album of tradi- retailers. tional seasonal songs peronally selected by James George Strait for Hallmark, has been certi- Taylor’s 2004 fied Platinum (1,000,000 copies sold) in Hallmark just seven days. The announcement was Christmas CD made by Ann Herrick, vice president, certified strategic music alliances at Hallmark. The Platinum in success of this special 10-track album, only 44 days. available exclusively in Hallmark Gold Next came Crown® stores, solidifies Strait’s record of Michael earning more platinum or multi-platnum McDonald’s discs than any other artist in country music. 2005 On November 6th, just before receiving Christmas Platinum certification of “Fresh Cut album, which Christmas,” George Strait was inducted went Gold two into the prestigious Country Music Hall of weeks after its Fame. In celebration of Strait’s career and release. Each the release of “Fresh Cut Christmas,” Hallmark CD Hallmark co-sponsored The CMA Awards has a focused, Reunion held during the 40th Annual CMA seasonal or Awards and showcased the CD along with event theme. the George Strait Christmas song card, Strait, who which features Strait’s version of the holi- has sold more than 70 million records, Herald Angels Sing,” “Deck The Halls,” day classic “Oh Christmas Tree.” recently scored his 53rd number one hit “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and “We Wish “We are thrilled to play a small part in the with “Give It Away,” making him the artist You A Merry Christmas,” among others. enormous success of this artist, and are who has scored more solo number one Consumers can visit Hallmark.com or call honored to be able to add another platinum songs than any musician in any genre. 1-800-HALLMARK to find a Gold Crown® album to his collection,” said Herrick. “Fresh Cut Christmas” is available along- store in their area. Hallmark carefully considers the interests side the Strait song cards in Hallmark Gold As with all Hallmark recording artists, of its expanding customer case when Crown® stores now through December 2006 George Strait was given the right to retain selecting some of the music world’s most for $7.95 with each purchase of three creative integrity for “Fresh Cut Christmas” influential and successful recording artists. Hallmark cards. Songs on the CD include and weaved his unique style into traditional Hallmark is the only specialty retailer to the Christmas anthem “We Three Kings,” seasonal music that families everywhere achieve Platinum and Gold RIAA certifica- the playful “Up on the Housetop” and have come to love. n tion of CDs sold only at their Hallmark enduring classics such as “Hark, The HOURS: MONDAY - FRIDAY 8:30 A.M.-3:00 P.M. (CENTRAL TIME) FAN CLUB #: 1-615-824-7176 • ORDER DESK #: 1-800-338-4732 • FAX #: 1-615-826-7052 STRAIT TALK George Strait Team Roping Classic A Sellout The 25th Annual George Strait Team The event began in 1982 as a family rop- 2006 Chevy Silverado dually pickups from Roping Classic scheduled for March 23rd ing in Kingsville, Texas and has grown to Cavender Chevrolet of Boerne, Texas and and 24th at the San Antonio Rose Palace be the richest and most anticipated open two Strait Extreme 3-horse trailers from in San Antonio, TX has been declared a Team Roping in the country.