CMA Awards Show Scheduled For September 22nd and a host of other Country p.m. EDT from the Grand Ole Opry House The nominations for Strait, who is Music performers are anxiously awaiting in Nashville, Tennessee and will feature Country Music’s most nominated artist in “The 33rd Annual CMA Awards” show performances by George Strait and his history with 50, include “Entertainer of the that will be broadcast live on CBS “Ace In The Hole Band” will perform his Year,” “Male Vocalist of the Year” and Television on September 22nd. current single “What Do You Say To “Album of the Year” for “Always Never The three-hour extravaganza begins at 8 That.” The Same.” n “Merry Christmas Wherever You Are” Is Now In Record Stores George Strait’s newest album, “Merry Christmas Wherever You Are,” has been released by MCA Records. The album, co- produced by Strait and MCA President Tony Brown, includes five traditional Christmas songs and five new songs. The five traditional country songs on the album are “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow,” “All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth,” “The Christmas Song” and “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer.” The new Christmas titles included in the package are the title track “Merry Christmas Wherever You Are” by Jerry Laseter and Mack Vickery, “I Know What I Want For Christmas” by Dana Hunt and Charlie Black, “Santa’s On His Way” by David Anthony, “Old Time Christmas” by Aaron Barker and John Jarvis and “Noel Leon” by Mike Gieger, Woody Mullis and Ricky Ray Rector. In addition to the Christmas album, Strait will also have another new Christmas song on a special compilation package available only at Target stores. The song is “Christmas Cookies” written by Aaron Barker. n STRAIT TALK Fan Collectable Column October/November 1999 ¥ The Oakland Press - 8/19/99. Article w/photo, p. C-9, Entertainment Section. ¥ Country Weekly - Aug. 10, 1999 issue. Photo pg. 4, mentioned pgs. 3, 6, 14. Oakland, MI. Photo w/article pgs. 18-21. Crossword Puzzle - pg. 45 & 46, pg. 58 mentioned. ¥ Country Music Magazine - Oct/Nov 1999. Front Cover, Full page, photo and Nashville, TN. name mentioned. Pg. 8 name mentioned, Pg. 9 name (ad CD), Pg. 19, 35, 74, ¥ San Antonio Express Newspaper - July 31 & Aug. 1, 1999. Mentioned. San 75, and 76 (named, photos). Nashville, TN. Antonio, TX. ¥ Knight In A White Stetson - by Claire King. Silhouette Special Moments. 5/99. ¥ San Antonio Express Newspaper - Aug. 4, 1999. Mentioned in article, Section 1st paragraph mentioned, NY, NY. G pg. 1 & pg. 12G. San Antonio, TX. ¥ Star Tribune Newspaper - 8/29/99. Entertainment Section, pg. 73 mentioned. ¥ “Las Stubborn Cowboy” - by Judy Christenberry. Harleguin American Minneapolis, MN. Romance - Aug. 1999. Pgs. 72, 73, 90 & 114 several mentions. Lubbock, TX. ¥ Entertainment Weekly - 8/20/99. Issue #499-500, pg. 129 mentioned. NY, NY. ¥ Country Weekly - Aug. 24, 1999. Pg. 3 Q & A section, pg. 7 Notes Section, ¥ Country Weekly - 8/31/99. Pg. 3 question and answer section, pg. 29 men- pg. 58 Charts mentioned, pg. 33 mentioned. Nashville, TN. tioned, pg. 40 mentioned. Nashville, TN. ¥ Country Weekly - Aug. 17, 1999. Pg. 3 photo, name mentioned ¥ Country Weekly - 9/14/99 issue. Pg. 12 name mentioned “CMT Top 100 question/appearance, pg. 7 photo - caption, pg. 8 photo mentioned, pg. 16 Videos,” pg. 13 photo, pg. 14 name, pg. 15 photo and article, pg. 40 name - mentioned, pg. 58 charts mentioned. Nashville, TN. Trivia Quiz. Nashville, TN. ¥ San Antonio Express News - Aug. 10, 1999. Pg. 4F Star Track section - “Strait ¥ Country Weekly - 9/7/99 issue. Pg. 6 story on G.S. Country Music Festival - Albums in the Works.” San Antonio, TX. Survey, pg. 15 photo, pg. 22 mentioned, pg. 58 in Top 40 Chart for ¥ Orange County Register - Aug. 4, 1999. Pg. 2 G.S. mentioned in article. Single./Album. Nashville, TN. Orange County, CA. ¥ Sports Afield - June/July 1999 issue. Pg. 40 photo w/advertisement on LP. ¥ The Kingston Whig-Standard, Aug. 4, 1999. Pg. 26 mentioned in article. Spring Hill, KS. Ontario, Canada. ¥ 1999 Tractor Supply Co. Blue Book. Pg. 3 4 photos and note. Charlotte, NC. ¥ BMG Music Service - July 1999. Photo on cover, review for “Always Never ¥ Columbia House - Country Music Edition, Sept. 1999. Pg. 7 photo and story, The Same,” pg. 2 issue: CY/20/0. Fairmont, W.Va. pg. 14 Merry Christmas CD. ¥ Country Song Roundup - Oct. 1999. Cover story, pg. 2 table of contents, pgs. ¥ Cowboys and Country - Summer 1999 issue. Review of G.S. LP, pg. 77. 22-25 article w/photos, pg. 32 words to “Write This Down” w/photo. Dallas, TX. Nashville, TN. ¥ Country Music - Aug/Sept 1999 issue #198. Centerfold with facts, pg. 42 and ¥ Macon - The Telegraph - Aug. 4, 1999. Mentioned in article. Macon, GA. pg. 44. NY, NY. ¥ The Detroit News - Aug. 4, 1999. Mentioned on pg. 2A. Detroit, Mich. ¥ “Midnight Cinderella” - Silhouette Books 1999 by Eileen Wilks, pg. 216 men- ¥ Star Tribune - 8/4/99. Minneapolis, MN. Metro State Section pg. B4 men- tioned. NY, NY. tioned in article. Metro/State. ¥ “Walker, Texas Ranger” - The Novel - Berkley Blvd. Books, NY 1999 by ¥ Oshkosh Daily North - Western Journal - 8/4/99. Section C, page 1 mentioned James Reasoner, pg. 77 mentioned. in article. Oshkosh, WI. ¥ “His Bodyguard” - Heart of the West, Harlequin Novel, NY, NY. 1999 by ¥ Ladies’ Home Journal. 9/99. Mentioned pg. 90. NY, NY. Muriel Jensen, pg. 39 mentioned. ¥ The Washington Post. 8/4/99. Washington D.C. mentioned pg. C-5. Arts ¥ USA Today, July 15, 1999 - Section D, pg. 1 mentioned in “Springsteen’s born Section. to tour; rap’s reeling” article written by Steve Jones. NY, NY. ¥ MIX - July 1999. Article pgs. 183, 192, 194, 196. Photo cover. NY, NY. ¥ Country Weekly - July 27, 1999 issue. Short story in “Country Notes” section, ¥ Texas Highways - 25th Anniversary Issue - Vol. 46, No. 9. Sept. 1999, pg. 46 pg. 6, pg. 42, pg. 58. Nashville, TN. photo and short story. Dallas, TX. ¥ Yahoo! Internet Life, July 1999 issue. “Click! - Charts” section, pg. 52 - “Top ¥ Houston Chronicle - 8/11/99. Pg. 3C Business section - name mentioned under Ticket Sales.” NY, NY. photo of Nolan Ryan. Houston, TX. ¥ Cowboy Sports and Entertainment - July 1999 issue. Photos on front cover, ¥ Country Line - Aug. 1999. Name mentioned, pgs. 2 and 5. Austin, TX. article w/photos pp. 10-14 by Renee Jinks, Dallas, TX. ¥ Star Tribune - 8/22/99. Entertainment section, pgs. 71 and 75 mentioned. ¥ Country Weekly - Aug. 3, 1999. Pgs. 16, 35, 42, 44 mentioned. Pg. 58 #2 in Minneapolis, MN. Top 40 Singles, #13 in Top 40 LPs. Nashville, TN.

The following George Strait Fan Club Members submitted to the Collectable Column - And We Thank You! As a GSFC member, you can join in and earn Strait Cash, receive your Strait Talk 1st Class and a Collector’s Card. This is all you need to do - collect magazine or newspaper articles, photos or reviews - send them in and if we use them, your name is added to the list. It’s easy. Remember to enclose the article, where it came from, date, page #, issue and your name and address. Thank You!!! Barbara Kelly - Park City, MT Jean George - Longview, TX Mildred Crawford - Tustin, CA Cleo Delaney - Cripple Creek, CO Kathy Cataloni - Woodridge, IL Mary A. Ferris - DeBary, FL Carolyn Evans - Harrisburg, MO Margaret Fiippi - Noxon, MT Irene R. Diver - Cedar Park, TX Terry Elliott - Camarillo, CA Margaret Carmichael - Loveland, CO Florence Bieniek - Amsterdam, NY Sharron Cox - Boerne, TX Lori Dallman - Oshkosh, WI Vickie Burnsde - Bedford, TX Dee Walker - Tuscaloosa, AL Micah Hale - Rosenberg, TX Janice Upton, Ira, TX Betty Jordan - Kernersville, NC Margaret Stangl - Saint Louis Park, MN Wanda Weinbrecht - Surprise, AZ Mary Tillman - Alamo, TN Chuck & Lorna Stover - Valley Center, KS Ellen Goerlich - Texas City, TX Shirley Smallwood - Kilgore, TX Judy Shisk - San Antonio, TX Mary Ann Swanson - Oxford, MI Geneva H. Heneger - Tulsa, OK Dotsie Lehr - New Braunfels, TX Cortney Brown - Bedford, IN Debbie Erickson - Taylor, MI Angel Herring-Beard - Channelview, TX M. Ethel Knecht - Dunnellon, FL Alexis Gaffney - Hillsboro, OR Eric D. Huffman - Fairmont, WV Annabelle Bock - Troy, MI Jean Hurt - Beech Grove, IN Aimee Melo - Kingston, Ont. Canada Lois L. Ratcliff - Spring Hill, KS Virginia Jackson - Charles Town, WV Sheila Calhoun - Houston, TX Rhonda Griffin - Charlotte, NC STRAIT TALK STRAIT ‘N’ OUT THE TITLES OF GEORGE’S ALBUMS By Jeanie Spears, Blue Springs, Missouri 1. RYREM SRTCSAMIII ERVEEHRW OYU REA______2. HLCIL FO NA RYELA LAFL ______3. CANOE RTFNO ERYRPOTP ______4. TASIRT OMFR HET EHATR ______5. YRCIGANR URYO VEOL IHWT EM ______6. RUEP UNTOCOYR ______7. ENYDBO HET LEBU ONNE ______8. ODHNIGL YM WNO ______9. EDSO RFTO TROWH ERVE OSRSC OYRU DNMI ______10. WYSLAA ENREV HET EAMS ______11. ENT TSATIR IHST ______12. ADEL NO ______13. FI OYU ITNA IVLNO, UYO NITA VINLI ______14. LEUB ELACR KSY ______15. TASITR UTO FO HET OXB ______16. UBMENR VEENS______17. HIRGT RO RGOWN______18. ISATRT OCUTYRN ______19. SAYE MECO, ASYE OG ______20. EON TPES TA A METI______21. ILNVI TI PU ______22. RTEGTAS TSIH, LMOEVU OTW ______23. MSOHGITEN PESALIC ______24. TSAGERTE ITHS ______25. REMRY HICTSAMRS TASITR OT OYU ______

CONGRATULATIONS! We have three GSFC Winners from the August/September 1999 Issue, they are: 1st Place (Jacket): David Detrick - Bowmansville, PA 2nd Place (Sweatshirt): Brenda Donlin - Florence, KY 3rd Place (T-Shirt): Brian Long - Carpentersville, IL

Name:______

Address:______

City:______State:______Zip:______

Telephone:______

Jacket Size:______

* All entries must be received by November 12, 1999. One Entry Only!!! STRAIT TALK LIMITED EDITION ITEMS AVAILABLE FOR THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON

#5099 Team Roping T-Shirt

#9100 - Christmas Sweatshirt #4900 - Team Roping Cap SPECIAL ORDER FORM QTY. ITEM SIZES COST TOTAL 5099 Team Roping T-Shirt M____ L____ XL____ XXL____ $20.00 4900 Team Roping Caps $17.00 9100 Christmas Sweatshirt M____ L____ XL____ XXL____ $29.95

Shipping and Handling Shipping Charges $4.00 per T-Shirt $ $4.00 per T-Shirt Shipping Charges $3.00 per Cap $ $3.00 per Cap $4.00 per Sweatshirt Shipping Charges $4.00 per Sweatshirt $ TOTAL $ PLEASE PRINT NAME:______CUSTOMER #:______ADDRESS:______CITY:______STATE:______ZIP:______PHONE: (______) ______Method of Payment: Check _____ Money Order _____ Cashier Check _____ Credit Card_____ (If paying with Credit Card, please fill out below) MASTERCARD/VISA NO.:______EXPIRATION DATE:______NAME ON CARD:______SIGNATURE ON CARD:______MASTERCARD/VISA ORDERS CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-338-GSFC STRAIT TALK NEW MERCHANDISE

#991 - Roping Video #650-Songbook

#925-Christmas Cassette/CD & art featured on #395-Christmas Candle Art

#4045 - Sports Towel #5150-Fan Club T-Shirt

#1120-Beach Towel

#407-Christmas Ornament #9005 - Sweatshirt & #9003 - Sweat Pants

#9999DVD-Pure Country DVD

#565 - License Tag Holder #555-License Tag #5205-Baby Bib STRAIT TALK Pen Pals From The Mailbox: OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1999 Hi George & Staff, Hi Anita, (Fans that exchange letter through mail) I’m so happy for George winning the 6 Wanted to let you know how much, I Russ Heinen (26) Golden Pick Awards, and I’m glad I was a enjoy being in the fan club. I had to drive 802 Butternut Drive part of his winning. I vote for you in over 500 miles for my tickets, and again North Aurora, Illinois 60542 everything the fans can vote in - you cer- for the concert, but it was well worth it. tainly deserve them, you’ve made country George gets better every year if that’s pos- Renate Behring Kameradenweg (25) music what it is today. I’m very proud of sible. Hope he comes back to Birmingham 12249 Berlin my favorite singer. You are the best ever. and Atlanta next year, I live close enough Germany You certainly have a great staff and I to both cities so I can attend both concerts. really enjoy reading all of Strait Talk. YEH! Michele Taylor (24) 7825 E. 96 Street God Bless You, Norma, Bubba and staff. Thank you so much for letting fans like Kansas City, MO 64134 Mary Tillman myself have fan club seats. I really appre- Alamo, TN ciate it and I’m sure the other fans do also. Jen Skotak (16) ______Keep up the good work. 12243 Helen Southgate, MI 48195 A Fan Always, Dear Fan Club, Wanda Bishop Rose Budd Stambaugh (44) Thank you for Strait Talk and all the cur- Cedar Bluff, AL 2503 Lexington Street rent information it provides. ______Plainview, TX 79072-2131 I just want to say that I love every song Casey Mummert (16) that George was recorded throughout his GSFC, 27 Mumma Street career. He continues to stir our every emo- The George Strait Music Festival in Highspire, PA 17034 tion. I was one of many adoring fans at Foxboro, Mass. was awesome! I’ve waited Kristal Porter (24) the concert in Louisville on May 30th. a long time to see a super great guy in 8805 Hillview Drive George was absolutely fabulous! I hope concert - it was worth the wait, but I hope Oklahoma City, OK 73150 some day to have the opportunity to shake he will visit New England again soon. Jeanie Terrebonne his hand. Look forward to next year’s tour. Scott Yeaton P.O. Box 624 Keep up the good work!! Farmington, ME Golden Meadow, LA 70357 A Devoted Fan, ______Tompkinsville, KY Melissa Everage (24) 336 Popp Avenue

______Dear George & Anita, Sellersburg, IN 47172

The George Strait Festival Tour that was Dear Anita, held in Kansas City, Missouri was a great I loved the Team Calf Roping and success. We live in Arkansas so we had to n Concert in Kingsville. It was a wonderful leave extra early in the morning to get pleasure to see George and his family all there by noon. All of the entertainers were together. great but George was outstanding. I’ve A True Fan, been in his fan club since 1985. I’ve saved Betty W. Hunter every newsletter since then. Anita and the Strait Shooters Sylmar, CA staff have done a terrific job through the OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1999 ______years. While in Kansas City that evening, I (Fans that submit photos that are used had the chance to go backstage and have in the newsletter) Dear Anita, George autograph my fan club card that I “The Kingsville concert was wonderful. have had since 1985. He was grateful and TERRY CALONGE - GOODLETTSVILLE, TN It gets better each year!” such a Texas gentleman. EVON OLIVER - HOHENWALD, TN I want to thank George and his staff for Congratulations George on winning 6 JUDY THOMAS - NEW SALISBURY, IN being so nice to the handicap people that trophies in the Golden Pick Awards. You NANCY GREEN - HOUSTON, TX went to the concert. I appreciated their deserve them!! You’re the best!! THERESA TIEMANN - BEASLEY, TX help. I also enjoyed Asleep at the Wheel, Strait Fan Forever, ANGEL HERRING-BEARD - CHANNELVIEW, TX and George was also fabulous. Phyllis Hale Sincerely, Tontitown, AR FRANK ADDINGTON, JR. - WINFIELD, W.V. Bertha Neely ______BEA STULTS - WEATHERFORD, TX Premont, TX PAT HERRMAN - TUCKERTON, NJ ______NANCY JAPHET - HOUSTON, TX STRAIT TALK

shirt, Fan Club T-shirt, baby bib, wind- If you are a computer user or a pen and Anita’s Notes: charm, bandana, sports towel, beach towel, paper person, don’t forget to get your cor- Christmas tree ornament and the new rect address to us at the fan club. Your Here we are again, approaching October Christmas Sweatshirt with George’s new newsletter goes bulk mail and is not for- and November and looking so forward to Christmas album cover printed on the warded. If you are moving, please make the cooler months. Many of us have expe- front. sure we are aware of your new address. If rienced the drought this summer and some We do not have the new tour dates for you are returning an item that you have of us have had a wetter one than usual. If the year 2000 yet but we do know that the purchased, please enclose a copy of the you have watched the weather lately, you management office has been meeting with invoice and the reason for returning the might have noticed the Hurricane Dennis the promoters a lot. There has not even item. If you need to exchange an item for that moved across George’s area in South been a hint as to who will be on the tour another size, please let us know in writing Texas. No damage but they sure did get next year but we do know that The George what size you need and enclose the correct some much-needed rain. Strait Country Music Festival Tour will shipping charge. Please find the shipping Hurricanes are unpredictable and that is return for its third year. If we get any chart in the merchandise catalog. the same in the music business. This issue information before the next newsletter, we Thank your for continuing to send us of Strait Talk will be at the printers during will post it on our website at photos, comments, fan collectible items the week of the CMA Awards so we will www.georgestrait.com and put it on our and games. In the past, you might have have that story in the Dec./Jan. issue. We Strait Line recording. noticed the beautiful Team Roping and are keeping our fingers crossed that The new User Name and Password for concert photos and have asked who the George pulls a big one on CMA night. the membership only areas of the website photographer was. It was Terry Calonge The show will be broadcast live on CBS are: from Goodlettsville, Tennessee. Thank you from 7-10 p.m. CDT on September 22nd. Terry. Also a big “Thank You” to Jeanie It will be held at the Grand Old Opry User Name: road Spears of Blue Springs, Missouri for House in Nashville, Tennessee. Password: trip designing some awesome games for the George’s new Christmas album “Merry newsletter. Please find the winners from Christmas Wherever You Are” should be Please use lower case letters when enter- the last issue of Strait Talk on the game in your tape decks or CD players by now ing into the members only areas of the page. as it was released on September 21st. If site. We try very hard to keep the website Well, this is where we stop and wish you you can’t find a copy of it in your area, it updated but there really hasn’t been much good health and remind you to stay Strait. is available from the Fan Club. We hope news lately. If you see something that We hope you enjoyed the CMA Awards, that you enjoy it as much as we have. needs updating please let us know. It is and have had time to listen to your new There are some great new Christmas amazing the number of people who visit “Merry Christmas Wherever You Are” songs on it. our website. CD. Let us know your reaction. Speaking of new and the Holidays, we have many new items in stock for the Holiday season including a wonderful Christmas Sweatshirt that has the Album ORDER NOW FOR CHRISTMAS!! Cover design on it. Please find the new merchandise photo page in the newsletter STRAIT BUCK KNIFE and do your shopping early. If you have Be ahead of the game with your Christmas 3/4 inch knife features a beautiful wood any questions about any of the merchan- shopping this year! George Strait Buck Knife, at grained, laser engraved handle, with 4-1/4 inch dise you can call Strait Line at 615-824- a special MEMBERS ONLY price of $49.95 stain finished, hollow ground, smoothly carved 7176 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. plus shipping and handling. This handsome 8- drop point blade, with a leather sheath. to 5 p.m. CDT. The toll free order desk at 1-800-338-GSFC does not answer product LIMITED QUANTITIES AVAILABLE!! questions and is not a part of the GSFC staff. They are available 24 hours a day Call 1-800-934-8792 to place a seven days a week to take your credit card order, or send check MasterCard/Visa orders. Please have your or money order payable to: Strait order form and credit card handy when Premium Products, Inc. at the you call. Your Christmas orders will be following address: processed as quickly as possible and will Strait Premium Products, Inc. be shipped either First Class Mail or UPS. 24123 Boerne Stage Rd., Remember that it can take up to three or Suite #250 four weeks to process, package and ship San Antonio, Texas 78255 holiday orders. Some of the new items we have available are an embroidered sweat-