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Home , Aaron Barker, Ace in the Hole Band, Asleep at the Wheel, A Special Christmas, Blue Clear Sky, Faith Hill discography

Barnes and Lucero Outdeul Pogue and Bockius For Team Roping Classic Title When the pressure is on, there is no one from the recent win at the Bob Feist Robinson and Ashley Swedenberg won better on the front end of a steer than Jake Invitational, earned $7,010 each and beau- $4,360 for their time of 4.58 seconds. In Barnes. Barnes, a seven time World tiful George Strait Team Roping Classic addition to Barnes and Lucero, others Champion Header from Cave Creek, AZ saddles with their 3-head time of 16.36 earning money in the first go round were and his healer, John Paul Lucero needed a seconds. Kyle Graham of Sims, TX and Mark Simon and Martin Lucero, $2,860 5.78 run with the last steer in the final go Todd Trammel of Milsap, TX earned each; Jason Tucker and Brad Culpepper, of the George Strait Team Roping Classic $5,965 each for their 3rd place time of $2,100 each; Joel Maker and Todd to win the title. With the anticipation run- 19.60 seconds. Fourth place money of Markham, $1,350 each and Nick Sartain ning high on the final run of the day, $4,910 each went to Joel Maker of and Andy Bolton, $750 each. Barnes and Lucero answered the call with Talaquah, OK and Todd Markham of Even with a new, deeper roping box and a time of 4.98 seconds to wrestle the Vanita, OK while Matt Tyler of an 11 foot score, team ropers challenged crown away from Charles Pogue of Weatherford, TX and Bobby Harris of the clock and stock before sold out audi- Ringling, OK and Britt Bockius of Gillette, WY won $3,860 each for fifth ences at both days’ roping events that were Claremont, OK. The title was worth more place. Sixth place money of $2,805 each held at the J.K. Northway Arena in than $50,000 in cash and prizes each to went to Mark Simon of Socorro, NM and Kingsville, TX. Three hundred and thirty Barnes and Lucero. They walked away Martin Lucero of Villa Nueva, NM while four teams paid $400 each to enter the with $8,605 each in cash plus 1999 Chevy seventh place earnings of $1,755 each Classic that ended up paying out more twin-cab duly trucks and 3 horse slant were paid out to Charles Pogue and Allen than $200,000 in cash and prizes. Bruton trailers. Barnes and Lucero also Back of Toltec, AZ. The eighth place The weekend’s activities culminated on added $3,605 each to the earning by tak- award money of $700 each went to Steve Saturday night July 10th, as George Strait ing the second spot in Friday’s first go. Purcella of Hereford, TX and Britt and his were joined he winning time for the 3-head final Bockius. by for a sold out con- ound was a quick 15.56 seconds. In the first go on Friday, July 9th, Glynn cert before 5,200 rabid fans. Charles Pogue and Britt Bockius, fresh George Strait Will Have A New Christmas CD In September

MCA Records is scheduled to release titles. The traditional Christmas titles His Way” by David Anthony, “Old Time George Strait’s new Christmas CD is include “,” “Let It Snow, Christmas” by and John September. The , recorded during Let It Snow, Let It Snow,” “The Christmas Jarvis and “Noel Leon” by Mike Gieger, April in Nashville, is expected to be avail- Song,” “All I Want For Christmas Is My Woody Mullis and Ricky Ray Rector. ble to record buyers on September 21st. Two Front Teeth” and “Rudolph The Red Another cut that Strait Recorded, he CD was co-produced by Tony Brown Nosed Reindeer.” The new Christmas titles “Christmas Cookies” by Aaron Barker, and George Strait. will be “Merry Christmas (Wherever You will be on a special Christmas compilation The new project is “Merry Christmas Are)” by Jerry Laseter and , package that will be sold only at Target Wherever You Are.” It will include five “I Know What I Want For Christmas” by stores during the Christmas season. aditional Christmas songs and five new Dana Hunt and Charlie Black, “Santa’s On S T R A I T T A L K Strait To The Point: Fans Like George Written by Hank Schaller, Oakland Press Door Productions, the local promoter of “For an all-day event, this is a great one,” Stetson hats such as the one that topped the festival, believes the loyalty shown by Barnett said. “You put 50,000 people in the head of John Chigas were out in force Strait’s fans is in large part due to the one spot for nine or 10 hours, and you Saturday as 50,000 fans from Michigan, artist’s loyalty to them. expect some trouble. But this is a pretty Ohio and Ontario descended on the “An artist like George Strait is very good well-behaved bunch.” Silverdome to pay homage to country to his fans,” Itsell said. “Just look at this For longtime Strait fan Dan Ruzic, a music great George Strait. road show he put together. Everything he retired letter carrier from Dearborn, the Chigas, a self-proclaimed cowboy from does is a first-class event.” fact the crowd seemed to be having a good Pinckney, said there’s just something Besides Strait, the other artists on the time was no surprise. bout Strait that convinced him to make bill, which featured more than six hours of “George’s music has got a good beat and the journey to Pontiac two years in a row. music, included Tim McGraw, Dixie it makes everyone feel good,” Ruzic said. “He’s got real catchy tunes,” Chigas said. Chicks, , , “Besides you can understand what he’s “You may not like his music at first, but it and Asleep at the Wheel. singing. That’s a big change from much of rows on you. It grew on me enough that I Pontiac Police Capt. Mark Barnett said today’s music.” was way up in the eighth row from the police expected few problems from the ont a year ago.” massive crowd, based on last year. Perhaps Sue Domin of Cleveland put it better. “I like the old true, bluesy roots type of country that he sings,” said Domin, who At RFK, Giving Everything was attending her fourth Strait concert after watching him perform a year ago in Columbus, Ohio. “He’s not all For Their Country like a lot of bands are.” Forget about Garth and Shania. Five of packing plenty of vocal power. A lot of the True-blue Strait fans such as Chigas, the seven acts that performed at RFK songs she performed-the old (“Heads Domin and Michelle Greathouse, also of Stadium Saturday currently have Top 10 Carolina, Tails California”) as well as the Cleveland, insist that not even fellow on the country charts. But music new (“”)-were well suited country music sensation can wasn’t the only reason the arena was to her spirited and sometimes defiant alto, hold a candle to their man. packed with cheering and often screaming and she punctuated the set by playing tim- “George is a Garth and a half,” fans. bales on a crackling summertime arrange- Greathouse said. “He’s got a twang to his To judge by the number of women who ment of ’s “Late in the music that Garth just doesn’t have.” spent much of the afternoon and night Evening.” That indescribable something Strait has squealing their hearts out, attending the In sharp contrast, Messina stilled the is responsible for a box-office bonanza at concert was akin to booking a room at the crowd by alluding to the student killings in the Silverdome two years in a row, said Heartthrob Hotel. Even Dixie Chicks lead Littleton, Colo., before singing the reflec- Greg Roberts, director of marketing at the singer confessed that the tive ballad “Even God Must Get the stadium. best thing about being part of the tour was Blues.” Despite a few lulls created by “We’re going to have somewhere close to watching “George Strait and Tim McGraw mediocre tunes, Messina ended the set on 50,000 fans here this year, and that’s after walk away from you.” a high note withe her engaging hit “Bye, ttracting over 52,000 a year ago,” he said. Following performances by Asleep at the Bye.” Besides coming to listen to down-home Wheel and Mark Wills, the midafternoon The Dixie Chicks were never more country music, Roberts said Strait fans performances kicked off with lively sets appealing than when they briefly recalled also like to eat and drink. by Jo Dee Messina and Kenny Chesney. their early association with the Birchmere “The average fan here today will spend Chesney’s show was a big crowd-pleaser, in Alexandria with a rollicking string band between $13 and $14 each on food and long on energy and short on emotion. A version of “Roanoke.” At this stage in the beverages,” he said. “That’s nearly double versatile singer, he performed his own hits, trio’s quickly blossoming career, vocalist what is spent at the typical Detroit Lions including a few custom tailored for the Maines, banjo-dobro player Emily Erwin ootball game, which is $7 or $8 a head.” Washington audience, with the same ease and fiddler Martie Seidel are still perform- At least part of that spending was going that he brought to tunes associated with ing an uneven collection of cover tunes, on in Straitland, out in the Silverdome and . Yet like ranging from a forgettable version of parking lot, where fans were sipping Jack a lot of country singers who lack a distinc- Dobie Gray’s “loving Arms” to a feisty Daniels whiskey, gnawing on Pemmican tive vocal personality, he was more apt to rendition of Bonnie Raitt’s “Give It Up Beef Jerky and drinking Bud Light, all move your feet that stir your soul. and Let It Go.” Even so, several songs official products of the Nokia Presents the Messina was even more animated, mov- from the group’s breakthrough album, George Music Festival. ing across the stage like a redheaded tor- “,” radiated plenty of John Itsell, marketing director for Cellar nado, constantly shifting direction and Continued on next page S T R A I T T A L K A Great Country Fete With Strait Written by Rebecca Stumpf, Pittsburgh McGraw, who has sold more than 13 mil- trio’s major-label debut. ribune Review lion albums, pulled out all the stops, per- Kenny Chesney brought fans to their feet Submitted by Tina Dunkle, Butler, PA forming the hits “,” “I Like with the sound of “She As citified arts festival activities forged It, I Love It,” and his current chart-topper, Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy,” complete with ahead just a short walk away, Three Rivers “.” a bikini-clad woman riding out onto the Stadium was transformed Sunday into Multiple Grammy-winners the Dixie stage on a John Deere. something a little bit country. Chicks captivated the crowd with their 45- His recent No. 1 hit, “How Forever Last on an 18-stop tour, the stadium was minute set, filled with flawless three-part Feels,” and his cover of Jimmy Buffett’s converted into carnival grounds as the harmony, clear country sound and saucy “” also were crowd pleasers. George Strait Country Music Festival attitudes. Jo Dee Messina gave an energetic perfor- verloaded the senses with food booths, Between songs, lead Chick Natalie mance, featuring hits “You’re Not in autograph stands, souvenir shops, gim- Maines, flanked by sisters Emily Erwin Kansas Anymore,” “I’m Alright,” breakup micks to plug sponsors and, of course, and Martie Seidel, cheekily discussed who anthem “Lesson in Leavin’” and radio- music. on the tour had the better backside, friendly “Heads Carolina, Tails The show itself was a huge success, McGraw or Strait. California.” showcasing 10 hours’ worth of pure coun- The talented trio proved they are more Wedding favorite “I Do (Cherish You)” y hits from some of the genre’s hottest than just Texan Spice Girls with a rousing highlighted Mark Wills’30-minute pop- names. sendup of the bluegrass instrumental country set, and Asleep at the Wheel But despite the sunshine, heat and over- “Roanoke,” the emotional divorce ballad entertained earlycomers with their whelming scent of suntan lotion, this “” and “Wide Open swing sound. vent was no day at the beach. Traffic Spaces,” the evocative title cut from the snarls, parking problems, huge lines and massive crowds made even the shortest ip an inconvenience. Fans, however, good-naturedly endured At RFK, Giving Everything For the problems in order to witness Strait’s irst visit to Pittsburgh in 11 years. Their Country (Continued) Living up to his clean-cut image in a lue-striped shirt, his trademark spirit, fun and attitude. member Ace in the Hole band. Touring Wranglers, boots and white cowboy hat, The sets by McGraw and Strait were with an ensemble of this size has its price, Strait-the quintessential Texan-proved he’s worth the long wait. Wearing his trade- however. The handsome and personable still the master of his domain, drawing mark black hat, fashionably shredded jeans Texan was preceded onstage by a couple aucous reactions with his signature clas- and a tight T-shirt, McGraw generated one of thinly veiled commercials for phones sic country and honky-tonk sound on earsplitting ovation after another as he and and trucks. Still, the crowd cheered when- “Write This Down,” “CheckYes or No” his crack band casually moved through a ever his image flickered on the screens and “.” hit list that included a quiet rendering of behind him. One of the biggest names in country “Everywhere,” a crowd-fed reprise of When he finally appeared in the flesh, music with a career that has spanned more “” and a house-rocking “I Strait seemed to personify the country than 18 years, Strait commanded the show Like It, I Love It.” gentleman, and his polished brand of with a set packed with trademark tunes Though he lacks a commanding voice swing only reinforced that image. such as “Unwound,” “Amarillo by and still seems a bit puzzled by all the With his great band providing colorful Morning” and the Tex-Mex flavored adulation, McGraw knows exactly what support, Strait surveyed much of his 20- “Maria.” he’s doing onstage. He expertly paced the year career in homespun but eloquent In one of the day’s most hilarious stunts, show and delivered even overly sentimen- fashion. He alternated new songs (includ- heartthrob Tim McGraw got some unex- tal ballads with a simplicity and honesty ing the catchy hit “Write This Down”) pected help on “It’sYour Love,” when that proved affecting. Capping his set, he with terrific covers (“Milkcow Blues” and Asleep at the Wheel’s danced picked up a cellular phone and sang his ’s “Maria”), contrasted out onto the stage in drag, then led out monster hit “It’sYour Love” to his wife clever ditties (“CheckYes or No”) with McGraw’s wife, country singer , and duet partner, Faith Hill. The crowd ate romantic ballads (“Carrying Your Love who tried to overcome bouts of laughter to it up, of course, though perhaps not as With Me”), and reserved plenty of time for complete the duet. eagerly as one of the sponsors of the his exceptional ensemble to conjure Showing his true devotion, he sported a event: a cell phone manufacturer. images of old fiddle and bands sleeveless shirt to show off his “Faith” tat- Strait performed the longest, smoothest swinging across the countryside. too. and most impressive set, backed by his 11- S T R A I T T A L K Fan Collectable Column August/September 1999

• Country Music Brasil - Um Festival De mentioned and photo. Nashville, TN. Arrepiar - June 1999, pp. 18-19. Photo and • USA Today - 6-14-99, p. 2D, mentioned. story by Marcel Gholmieh and Rodrigo • Express-News - 6-16-99. “The Haddad - Brazil. Continental Divide” p. 10A mentioned/photo. • Country Weekly - June 8, 1999, pg. 12, men- • DNR - (Daily News Record), June 11, 1999, p. tioned in article. P. 36, p. 38, mentioned. 2 & 7 photo and mentioned. , CA. Nashville, TN. • NY Daily News - 6-16-99, mentioned. Sports • Des Moines Sunday Register - June 6, 1999, p. Section - mentioned. NY, NY. 3A photo and mentioned. Des Moines, Iowa. • Cleveland-Ohio Plain Dealer, June 15th, p. 5B • Country Weekly - June 15, 1999, pp. 14, 16, mentioned. Cleveland, OH. 26, 58, mentioned and photos. Nashville, TN. • San Antonio Express - News, June 17, 1999, p. • Detroit Freepress - June 4, 1999, pp. 1 & 12, 12A Sports Section mentioned. (Spurs vs. mentioned in article. Detroit, MI. Knicks). San Antonio, TX. • The Cleveland Plain Dealer - June 4, 1999, p. 3 • Detroit Free Press - June 16, 1999, p. 6E, mentioned. Cleveland, OH. Names and Faces section - mentioned. Detroit, • - Vol. 5 #1, Summer 1999. Mich. Front cover photo, p. 4 article about George, p. • San Antonio Express - June 19, 1999, Sports 11 new CD. Pontiac, Mich. Section - p. 15A, mentioned (Spurs vs. • Modern Screen - Sept. 1999 Issue, p. 12, p. 15 Knicks). & 40, mentioned and picture. • The Tenessean - 6-20-99. Arts & Entertainment • Star Tribune - 6-15-99. Metro/State section, p. & Music Section, p. 10K. Words to “Write B4. G.S. is mentioned. Minneapolis, MN. This Down.” • Country Weekly - 6-22-99, pp. 30, 48, 46 & 49,

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!!!

Dotsie Lehr - New Braunfels, TX Margaret Stangl - St. Louis Park, MN Annette Schindler - North Royalton, OH Miss Florence Bieniek - Amsterdam, NY Lisa Pryzgoda - Yonkers, NY Debbie Erickson - Taylor, MI Sylvia Norman - Los Angeles, CA Beth Worlway - Des Moines, Iowa Shirley Smallwood - Kilgore, TX Rodrigo Haddad - Brazil Alexis Gaffney - Hillsboro, OR Chuck and Lorna Stover - Valley Center, KS Jean Hurt - Beech Grove, IN Elaine Sledge - Bowling Green, KY S T R A I T T A L K

TITLES: Ace In The Hole All My Ex’s Live In Texas Always Never The Same Amarillo By Morning By Jeanie Spears, Blue Springs, Missouri Baby Blue Baby’s Gotten Good At Goodbye 1. Stick it on your refrigerator door. ______The Big One 2. Can I drink you a buy. ______Blue Clear Sky 3. What a rotten day this turned out to be. ______Carried Away Carrying Your Love With Me 4. Here beside you is really where it’s at. ______The Chair 5. I caught you looking at me when I looked at you. ______CheckYes or No 6. Opry Music on a Saturday night. ______Cowboy Rides Away 7. Our love is unconditional. We knew it from the start. ______Easy Come, Easy Go The Fireman 8. There’s something about angels you need to know. ______Gone As A Girl Can Get 9. Like rain on a desert sand.______Heartland 10. I don’t believe in chasin’crazy dreams. ______I Cross My Heart 11. Call me mesmerized, somewhat hypnotized.______I Just Want To Dance With You 12. Please, please, please don’t save me tonight. ______I’ve Come To Expect It From You It Ain’t Cool To Be Crazy About You 13. On a lonely highway stuck out in the rain. ______The King Of Broken Hearts 14. I like you and baby you like me. ______Love Bug 15. I took her smilin’ face down off my wall. ______Marina Del Rey 16. Don’t even think about a farewell kiss. ______Meanwhile 17. Twenty years together she still gets to me. ______One Night At A Time 18. Top flight hold me tight get you there by daylight. ______One Step At A Time 19. She thinks I’m perfect and I love her cat. ______Overnite Male 20. Like the Colorado skies. ______Round About Way 21. Everything that I got is just what I got on. ______Unwound We Really Shouldn’t Be Doing This 22. Life is a gamble a game we all play. ______What Do You Say To That 23. You wouldn’t treat a dog the way you treated me. ______Write This Down 24. Give me a bottle of your very best. ______You Know Me Better Than That 25. She sparkles, she dazzles. ______26. Makin’ my rounds all over town. ______CONGRATULATIONS! We have 27. Had all to myself. ______three GSFC Winners from the 28. Like a stranger I ain’t never met. ______June/July 1999 Issue: 29. That’s why I hang my hat in Tennessee. ______They are: 30. From my front porch you can see the sea.______1st Place (Jacket): 31. Goodbye, farewell, so long. ______Vicki Deal - Vicksburg, MI 32. It ain’t suave or debonair to let you know I care. ______2nd Place (Sweatshirt): 33. He talks to angels and the stars start to spin.______Dotsie Lehr - New Braunfels, TX 3rd Place (T-Shirt): 34. Had a good time was the last thing I heard her say. ______Karen Campbell - Anaheim, CA 35. My heart is sinking like a setting sun. ______

N a m e : ______A dd re s s : ______City:______State:______Zip:______e l ep h o n e : ______acket Size:______All entries must be received by September 10, 1999. One Entry Only!!! S T R A I T T A L K TEAM ROPING SHIRTS AND CAPS AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME

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George, you were great. I hope that you will come to NJ next year. There were so From The Mailbox: many fans from the NY-NJ area. You would definitely fill the Meadowlands. I Dear George, of his guitars - autographed!!! Now, prior hear so many people on Y107.1, NJ and Thanks a million for your new album - to this I had never won a thing in my life NY’s country station calling in to say what it’s AWESOME and FUN from beginning so what a special win it was. I’m sure that a great time that they had at the concert. to end! You have the most incredible it must be very difficult for celebrities to George, you are the greatest country music oice, and I love your selection of songs. find private time with so many people artist and I loved you in Pure Country. As much as I love to listen to you sing, I wanting so much from them, so please always have to end up singing along, smil- thank Mr. Strait for me. I truly appreciate TELLTHEOTHERS (e-mail) ing all the way through. it. The guitar is sure to be quite the con- ______Thanks also for the beautiful show in versation piece around our house for many Phoenix! We respect and appreciate your years. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! The hard work. show at was Sincerely, absolutely fabulous. The sunburn I have is Always a Strait Fan, Deborah L. Robinson well worth it! Please come back this way Ruth Ann Collins Almont, MI soon! Peoria, Illinois ______RNCLAF (e-mail) ______I have waited years for a chance to see Dear GSFC, the best there has been, is, or will be. On Just a note of thanks for a great concert. I It was our 50th Wedding Anniversary May 30th, I got the chance in Louisville, have never been to one of your concerts and we spend it at Kansas City, Missouri. KY. Never will there be another show like before and this one was very enjoyable. Watching George Strait concert, we had it. The only way it could have been better There was an older lady behind me just wonderful seats at Arrowhead Stadium, is if I had front row seats and backstage about to bust at the seams with happiness. 8th row, 12th and 13th seat. Everyone was passes!!! What a show!!! What a beautiful I had to move several times just so she eally good but George was just awesome voice!!! Thanks, George, for the best night could take some pictures. Had great seats, gain this year, yes we were there last year of my 25 years! (well, except my wedding 4th row right in the middle. and plan to be there again next year. night of course!) Hope to see you next year. Really got some great pictures. Thanks George for a wonderful weekend and our You best fan and fellow rancher, Sincerely, Rebecaca 50th Anniversary. Leilani Findley ______New Albany, IN Thanks Again, ______Hi, Jean Barber My husband and I got to go to George’s Omaha, Nebraska Hi Anita, concert in Louisville, KY on May 30th. ______I just wanted to comment on George’s He was so great, the whole concert was final concert in Pittsburgh, PA. Of course, super. Dear Mr. Strait, it was FANTASTIC! Every artist on the We are hoping he will come to Thank you for a wonderful show on June show was great. But George was phenom- Cincinnati next year. All of his fans will 6th in Pittsburgh, PA. We saw you when enal! He only gets better with time, if be waiting! We enjoy the fan club news. ou came to Pittsburgh in the 80’s. that’s possible. I must admit, I miss the “You’re the Best.” good ole days when you could really get Thanks, I thought that you were very nice with close to the show, but thqat is really my Nita Swarts the crowd at the end of your show, when only complaint. I realize that George had Florence, KY ou were signing all their hats. to go this way to accommodate all the fans ______Thanks for coming back to PA. We loved that want to see him. I can hardly wait for the fireworks display! next year! Maybe he’ll even perform in George, NewYork (my home state). And thanks Thanks for a great concert here in Christi & Scott Landfried again George for the best concert I have Washington, DC. Pittsburgh, PA ever attended! My niece, my kids and myself enjoyed ______walking around Straitland and all the per- Diane Dann formances throughout the day. Dear Fan Club, NewYork As always you put on a wonderful per- Thank you, thank you, thank you… once ______formance. Loved your selection of new gain we had great seats for the Country and old songs. One of my favorites is Music Festival on June 5, 1999 in Detroit, Dear Fan Club, when you sing “Milk Cow Blues.”You’re Michigan. And, of course, once again My husband, daughter and I went to the the best! George was terrific! He is, as Garth festival in Foxboro, MA. We are from NJ. Brooks said, the man. And to make this It was fantastic! The best part of the con- Thanks, concert even more memorable I won one cert is when I got to see George perform. Jenny Norquist ______S T R A I T T A L K

Hi There! From The Mailbox Continued: It has taken me a little while to getting around to do this, however here I am! Dear George, GSFC, I just wanted to take a moment to say My friend and I had the pleasure of hav- I attended the George Strait Music “HEY!” and tell you about my experience ing front row seats at your Washington DC Festival at Foxboro Stadium. in attending the “George Strait Country concert. WHAT A DAY! I thought this What can I say, it was wonderful, fabu- Music Festival” that took place on May couldn’t really be true, but it was! All the lous, amazing, immense, tremendous! And 30th at Papa Johns Stadium in Louisville, shows were really good - unbelievable, but the other acts were pretty good too. Kentucky! ou were the most unbelievable. I was At the end of the show I thought I heard I can sum up my experience with one amazed that you acknowledged everyone him say “see you next year.” I certainly word! “WOW!” We had a terrific time at that had a banner or sign. You seem to hope that is true because I’m already look- the festival. For me, personally, it just ead every one that you could and I really ing forward to his return. awestruck me! I did not think prior to that loved the eye contact and smiles. You also day… but “WOW!” His is truly blessed made it very special for the couple that Best regards, with a talent that could bring it home to was sitting next to us. You seemed to Elaine Carreia his fans like me. THANKS!! notice how much they were in love with Acushnet, MA If I could meet one person in this world each other and you sang “I Cross My ______today it would have to be Mr. Strait. Heart” looking right at them. Brought Thanks for a great show and for sharing tears to her eyes and chills up my back! Dear Anita, an awesome talent. hat happened to be one of their wedding I just wanted to share my experience at songs. They are getting married the end of the recent George Strait Country Music Sincerely, une. May 15th is a day they will never Festival that was held in Pittsburgh, PA. I A Fan In Indy, orget and one that I will never forget have waited an extremely long time for Lisa either! THANK YOU and HAPPY this visit from “King George,” but the wait BIRTHDAY!! You’re #1! was well worth it! GEORGE WAS GREAT! Needles to say, he brought a A Fan For Life, pack of great performers with him. The Cheryl L. Sheatler fan club seating provided some very good Watsontown, PA seats which were excellent for picture tak- n ______ing. Six weeks ago, I stood in line for more than 3 hours waiting for the tickets. Dear Fan Club, For some this may seem long, but it pro- I was never really a fan of country music vided a wonderful opportunity to get to Pen Pals until I watched George Strait’s movie, know several fan club members so that I “Pure Country.” That man is the quintes- could meet them again at the show and we AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 1999 sential romantic hero! With the teasing are able to enjoy the concert together. (Fans that exchange letter through mail) gleam of mischief alight in his eyes, and This festival was my second opportunity that cocky grin, he is the perfect combina- to see George Strait perform. The other Mary Davis (62) tion of earthy cowboy and Southern gen- concert was when he performed at Frontier P.O. Box 216 tleman. A pure mixture of just the right Days in Cheyenne, WY. I am counting the Akron, MI 48701-0216 touch of arrogance and humility. days to when I can once more have the His voice is as soothing and sensual as a opportunity to see the “Best of the Best” Yvonne Dianne Cruff warm embrace from the man you love of country singers, George Strait. most in the world. When he sang “Cross 860 Abrahamson My Heart,” in “Pure Country,” Harley Sincerely, Brownsville, TX 78526 ucker wasn’t the only one crying! His Ron Herrigan oice is sheer magic, captivating his audi- West Mifflen, PA Pam Schiavane (44) ence with a charisma that far exceeds any ______16 Ralston, Apt. 2 ve heard in a long time. Even my Mom Kenmore, NY 14217 thinks he sounds like Elvis! Just got my fan club membership pack- Thank you, George Strait, for restoring age and have poured over the wealth of Ms. Gayle Harrison (51) my faith in the true romantic hero. You are information it contains. Thanks so much 5613 Magee Blvd. my inspiration to pick up my pen and fin- for the exceptional effort to make this one Austin, TX 78749 ish the once forgotten novel tucked away of the best packages a fan could have, but in the bottom drawer of my desk. then the performer is EXCEPTIONAL, so I’m looking forward to any new CD’s that makes it easier. Looking forward with and/or movies with that same rich, allur- baited breath for the next issue of Strait ing voice that I’ve so enjoyed this past Talk! month. Keep up the Good Work, Love & Laughter, Diana Fowler Barbara G. Lichwick Lawrence, IN ______S T R A I T T A L K

Country Music Festival Tour. The dates, and mail in your order, call the toll free Anita’s Notes: cities and acts have not yet been deter- number at 1-800-338-GSFC to place an mined. order using a credit card or order on-line Here we are into the eighth month of the Fan Fair 1999 in Nashville was lot of at the George Strait website order using a ear and we still have so much to report. fun. George did not attend but the fan club credit card or order on-line at the George 1999 has been a great year so far for booth was set up and running by the staff Strait website www.georgestraitfans.com. George. He continues to climb the charts, and decorated with George Strait para- Happy Shopping!!! win awards, break concert records, record phernalia. Many fan club members visited If you are moving, please don’t forget to sensational new music and still make time during the week and it was enjoyable send your new address to us as soon as or family and friends. Between roping, putting the names and faces together. We possible.You can send it to us at P.O. Box touring, selecting and recording new mate- would like to thank the staff, friends and 2119, Hendersonville, Tn. 37077 or call it ial, golfing, fishing and ranching, George family who helped us set the booth up in to the office at 615-324-7176 Monday continues to be himself. With his strong again this year. Thanks to Pam, Judy, through Friday from 9am-5pm Central upbringing and true values to family, Katie, Cheryl, Darci, Darrin, Wade and time. Do you have photos you would like George continues to receive appreciation Ryan. This year the booth was set up on to share? Would you like to earn Strait om his fans and friends. Saturday and fan fair attendance was Cash? Please send them to us. If we use The last show for the 1999 George Strait Monday through Thursday. There were no them you will receive Strait Cash. Please Country Music Festival Tour was present- fan fair booths open on Friday. We liked remember that photos will not be returned ed in Pittsburgh, Pa. at Three Rivers the change. We hope Fan Fair continues in and become property of the George Strait Stadium. I attended the show knowing it Nashville but, from what we hear, there Fan Club. would be wonderful, but I believe the will be some changes made for next year. The new User name and Password for the word “wonderful” does not do it justice. George and our staff would like to Thank website is: rom the time I arrived in Pittsburgh to You for your votes in the TNN Music City my departure back to Nashville, the peo- News Awards. George did win the “Album User Name: daylight ple and surroundings were amazing. of the Year” Award. Congratulations Password: night Everyone was happy and very upbeat. George!! Maybe because it was the last show for The 17th Annual George Strait Team Please use small letters when you are the tour but I don’t think so. When upbeat Roping Classic in Kingsville, Tx. on July entering your User Name and Password on staff and fans surround you it really wears 9th & 10th was once again a huge success. the website. off on you. It was very exhilarating. You can read the complete story on the A very special “Thanks” to all of you Pittsburgh is a beautiful and exciting city. event on the front page of the newsletter. who sent cards and letters for George Visit there if you get a chance. We hope all that attended enjoyed them- Strait, Jr. (Bubba) on his recent gradua- As is the tradition on many tours, the final selves. tion. He really appreciated them. show was filled with humor as all the acts Before you know it the Christmas Thank you for your support and encour- played pranks on each other. A girl Holidays will be upon us and George agement. We hope you have a safe and dressed in a bikini and riding a John Straits new Christmas Album, “Merry happy time until we meet again in Deere lawn tractor drove across the stage Christmas Wherever You Are”, will be in October. while Kenny Chesney was performing. record stores. It’s a great new Christmas hen someone put grease on Jo Dee Album and we hope you enjoy listening to Messina’s guitar picks and a drumstick so it as much as we already have. The release she couldn’t pick them up. Mark Wills, date is September 21st. George will be Kenny Chesney and the drummer for back in Nashville in August to record two Asleep At The Wheel, dressed up in drag new songs for his next album, which will as Dixie Chicks impersonators and be a Greatest Hits package. That album is ppeared on stage to sing with the girls expected to be released in early spring. while Ray Benson of “Asleep At The Remember, it is not too early to begin Wheel”, dressed up in drag and tried to your Christmas shopping. When have a impersonate Faith Hill and surprised Tim large selection of George Strait items in MOVING????? McGraw while he was on stage. The entire the newsletter catalog.You can see the roup of artists, accompanied by Norma photos on the website at www.georges- DROP US YOUR NEW ADDRESS Strait, all appeared on stage carrying pil- trait.com. When filling out your order BY MAIL OR CALL! lows while George Strait sang “Linda On forms, please print and please do not for- My Mind”. While the crowd thought that a get to enclose your payment. Please make GSFC pillow fight was about to take place, all of sure to enclose your phone number and e- P.O. BOX 2119 them laid down on the stage with their pil- mail address, if you have one, so we can lows and acted like a group of star struck contact you if we have any questions about HENDERSONVILLE, TN 37077 wannabe’s while he performed. All in all it your order. Also, don’t forget to use that was a very entertaining day. George Strait Cash you may have laying (615) 824-7176 Work is already underway on the tour for around.You have several ways to shop. (Monday - Friday 9a.m. - 5p.m. Central Time) the 2000 version of the George Strait You can use the catalog in the newsletter