Strait Talk April

S T R A I T T A L K

Dates Set For 16th Annual George Strait Team Roping Classic The dates of July 10th and 11th have been day by calling 512-668-1513. Classic offi- GEORGE STRAIT TEAM ROPING CLAS- formally announced as the official dates for cials will be on duty both nights to make sure SIC the 16th Annual George Strait Team Roping that anyone interested in competing will be Attn: Susan Ivy Classic. The two day event, featuring many able to do so. P.O. Drawer 512 of the country’s best team ropers, will again Tickets for the concert will go on sale June Kingsville, TX 78363 be held at the J.K. Northway Arena in 6th. ALL SEATS ARE GENERALADMIS- Tickets for the daily roping events are $7.00 Kingsville, Texas. SION. There is no reserved seating. The floor and are available at the door. A limited num- The first day of roping on July 10th will of the arena is standing room only. Due to the ber of the daily roping tickets will be avail- find an estimated 200 teams competing for general admission nature of the concert, par- able by mail on a first come, first served cash and prizes valued at more than ents are discouraged from bringing children basis. Orders for the concert tickets and the $100,000. The fastest 25 teams after the first ten years of age or younger to the event. Fan limited supply of daily roping tickets will be two go-rounds will return on Saturday, July club members who choose to do so, may taken as of April 15th and must be post- 11th, to compete in the finals. The ropers on order their tickets by mail in advance. This is marked no later than May 23rd. For any fur- the winning team will drive away with a very helpful since the concert has sold out ther information call (512) 595-8591. truckload full of cash in the back of their new instantly during each of the last 15 years. The Kleberg County Parks Department will 1998 Chevy trucks pulling their brand new Mail your ticket orders in early because mail once again have their Fan Appreciation Party Bruton trailers. order tickets are limited. Persons ordering by this year. For further details on the party, On Saturday night, following the finals, mail should note that only money orders and please send a self-addressed stamped enve- George and his Ace In The Hole Band will be cashiers checks will be accepted. NO PER- lope to the Parks Department at the address joined by a very special guest in a concert at SONAL CHECKS, CASH OR CREDIT above. Please remember that the party is the Arena. CARDS should be sent as they will be being put on by the Kleberg County Parks Registration for the 1998 Team Roping returned without concert tickets. If you would Department and is not affiliated with the Classic will take place on May 29th and 30th. like to order tickets, please send $27.00 for George Strait Fan Club or the George Strait Teams willing to put up their $400 entry fee each ticket (including shipping and handling) Team Roping Classic. We hope you enjoy can register between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. each to: yourself. George Strait Nabs Four Nominations For The American Country Music Awards

George Strait has once again, received a Diamond Rio, Randy Travis and Lee Ann Wednesday, April 22nd at the Universal host of nominations for the Academy of Womack. When the air cleared, George Strait Amphitheater in Los Angeles, California. The Country Music. When the nominations were was a finalist in four categories. They includ- awards show will be broadcast live on C-B-S read in Los Angeles on February 24th, Strait ed “Entertainer of the Year,” “Album of the TV from 7-10pm Central Time. George Strait had accumulated four more nominations for Year” for Carrying Your Love With Me, and his “Ace In The Hole Band” are expect- this year’s awards. “Single of the Year” for Carrying Your Love ed to perform on the nationally televised pro- The finalists for the 33rd Annual ACM With Me” as well as “Top Male Vocalist.” gram. Awards were announced by Marty Roe of The awards will be handed out on S T R A I T T A L K New George Strait Album Set To Be In Stores On April 21st

The new George Strait album, “One Step At ATime” is expected to be in retail stores on April 21st, one day before the he appears on the nationally televised ACM Awards show on CBS TV. Strait EACH CALL COSTS $.99. YOU MUST BE finished putting the finishing touch- 18 YEARS OR OLDER TO VOTE. es on the album with co-producer Tony Brown shortly before Christmas. It includes all new mate- rial. Some of the songs were written by some of George’s favorite writ- ers including Roger Cook, Earl Clark, Jeff Stevens, Jim Lauderdale, Steve Bogart, Donny Kees, Dana Hunt (Oglesby) and Dean Dillon. S T R A I T T A L K Fan Collectable Column April / May 1998 Modern Screen’s Country Music Magazine - picture with Lee Ann Womack; page 54 - Awards). May, 1998 - Photo p. 8, photo p. 75. name mentioned for top 40 singles “Round • Ellwood City Ledger - Elwood City, PA- The Arizona Republic - Feb. 21, 1998, p. About Way” and top 40 albums “Carrying 2-28-98, p. 6 - article. A20, Your Love With Me” ending February 28, • Country Music - January/February 1998, page Nokia Ad - “George Strait Country Music 1998. 35 - name mentioned for top 25 Albums for Festival.” • Houston Chronicle - Zest Section - February “Carrying Your Love With Me” (8) and top 25 People Magazine - “Celebrity Style Secrets 22, 1998, page 6 - Billboard’s Top Country singles for “Today My World Slipped Away” ’98” issue - Feb. 16, 1998, p. 67 photo. Singles for “Round About Way.” (5), pages 55, 56, 65 - name mentioned. Country Song Roundup - April, 1998 - Photo • Houston Chronicle - Zest Section - March 1, • Texas Monthly - February 1998 - page 123 - and song lyrics - “Today My World Slipped 1998, page 6 - Billboard’s Top Country picture. Away.” Singles for “Round About Way” (#1). • Country America - March 1998, pages 79, 125 News Tribune - Jefferson City, MO, 2-8-98 • Houston Chronicle - Rodeo Advertisement - name mentioned. mentioned. February 19, 1998, page 7 - name mentioned. • Country Weekly - February 10, 1998, cover - San Antonio Express Newspaper - 2-22-98, p. • Houston Chronicle - February 20, 1998, page small picture with Norma; pages 3, 5, 30, 34, 4 mentioned. 1F - name mentioned. 46, 47, 67, 73 - name mentioned; page 35, 46, Kingsport Times - News, Kingsport, TN - • Houston Chronicle - February 22, 1998, page 59 - full page picture with Norma; page 58 - 2-24-98 mentioned, p. 8A. 16B - name mentioned. article and picture; page 78 - name mentioned Flint Journal - 1st Edition, Flint, MI, 2-19-98. • Houston Chronicle - February 26, 1998, page for top 40 singles “Round About Way” and Tempo Section B, page B6. 12B - name mentioned. top 40 albums “Carrying Your Love With Me” San Antonio Express Newspaper - 2-24-98, p. • Houston Chronicle - February 28, 1998, page ending January 24, 1998 and album cover for 2Amentioned. 12B - name mentioned. “Carrying Your Love With Me.” San Antonio Express Newspaper - 2-25-98, p. • Houston Chronicle - March 2, 1998, page 1A • Country Weekly - February 17, 1998, cover, 16 mentioned. - name mentioned. page 4 - name mentioned; page 8 - full page Country Weekly - March 10, 1998, page 6 - • Houston Chronicle - March 3, 1998, page picture with Star Stats; page 54 - name picture and name mentioned; page 43 - 10B - name mentioned. mentioned for top 40 singles “Round About picture for Country Weekly Golden Pick • Houston Chronicle - March 4, 1998, page Way” and top 40 albums “Carrying Your Love Awards; page 54 - name mentioned for top 40 12B - name mentioned. With Me” ending January 31, 1998. singles “Round About Way” and top 40 • Houston Chronicle - March 5, 1998, page • Houston Chronicle - Zest Section - February albums “Carrying Your Love With Me” 12B - name mentioned. 1, 1998, page 6 - Billboard’s Top Country ending February 21, 1998. • Texas City Sun - “Teen Beat” - February 27, Singles for “Round About Way.” Country Weekly - March 17, 1998 - Cover - 1998, page 1 - Billboard’s Best Bets - “Round • Houston Chronicle - Zest Section - February small picture; pages 9, 12, 32 - name About Way” (#1). 8, 1998, page 6 - Billboard’s Top Country mentioned; page 13 - picture; page 14 - name • Texas City Sun - “Teen Beat” - March 6, Singles for “Round About Way.” mentioned for Golden Pick Awards for 1998, page 8 - Billboard’s Best Bets - “Round • Music City News - March 1998, pages 6, 29, Favorite Entertainer and Favorite Male Artist; About Way” (#1). 49. page 15 - name mentioned for Golden Pick • The Jamestown Sun Newspaper - Jamestown, • Texas City Sun - “Teen Beat” - February 6, Awards for Favorite Album “Carrying Your ND - 2-24-98, p. 13 mentioned (ACM Awards 1998, page 8 - name mentioned for Bill- Love With Me,” Favorite Video Entertainer 4-22). board’s Country Single for “Round About and Favorite Line Dance Song “One Night At • Times-Picayune Newspaper - New Orleans, Way.” ATime;” page 16 - name mentioned for top LA - 2-24-98, p. A-5 mentioned (ACM • Texas City Sun - February 8, 1998, page 5A - 10 5 years ago for Heartland (#2); page 32 - name mentioned.

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! Judy Duncan - Napa, CA Dotsie Lehr - New Braunfels, TX Phyllis E. Marth - Madison, WI Ellen Goerlich - Texas City, TX Judy Shisk - San Antonio, TX Claudia Car-Gilleland - Bellevue, WA Trudy Holderby - Davenport, WA Donna Grashorn - Wayne, NE Mary E. Marowski - Jamestown, NY Sharron Cox - Houston, TX Sharon Folts - Swarte Creek, MI Beverly Cable - Serndee, MI Donald R. Minteer - Ellwood City, PA Margaret Gilreath - Kingsport, TN Carolyn Huffman - Versailles, MO Jane S. Jancso - Brookfield, OH Jeanie Hawkins - Rolla, MO Lou Dallman - Oshkosh, WI Karen Johnson - Valleyview, Alta, Canada Margaret Stangl - St. Louis Park, MN Nancy Piechota - Golden, CO Chuck & Lorna Stover - Valley Center, KS Carolyn Evans - Harrisburg, MO Celeste Pakebusch - Alice, TX Carolyn K. LeBlanc - Chalmette, LA Virginia Jackson - Charles Town, W.Va. Dede Kirkpatrick - Lubbock, TX Judy Hoyt - Jamestown, ND Judy Anderson - Garland, TX Helen Tomasek - Phoenix, AZ Alexis Gaffney - Gales Creek, OR Gina Leon - Parsons, KS S T R A I T T A L K

Created by: Mildred Miller, Whitestown, IN

Words are always in a straight line and may read up, down, forward, backward, and diagonally. THESE NAMES AND ITEMS MAY BE FOUND ON THE GEORGE STRAIT WEBSITES: ACADEMY OF COUNTRY Y U R P H E G E O R G E N Q R B W Z N O P E T G MUSIC O N G R B N N X C V R G A I L I A R T R A T S J ALBUM AMERICAN MUSIC M T W E L T I Q W R N E R O N L I N E T Y U I O AWARDS D A S S D E P F C O G H J K H L J K Z X C V B N BILLBOARD BIRTHDAY M H E B H R O Q S D Z T O N Y B R O W N P B O I BUBBA A C O U N T R Y W E E K L Y G O L D E N P I C K CDS R F N S B A M K E O S U G C N A M B V C W R T M CONCERTS COUNTDOWN A J O H N I A L N U W T Q S T R E C N O C T E A COUNTRY WEEKLY M E M L J N E P C P A T O U R D A T E S W H K L GOLDEN PICK E-MAIL E X I O Q E T A I F P K C O T S H G U O R D P E ENTERTAINER R E N S G R H E S U S M B P G F E S T I V A L V EVENTS I M A S D F G H U N H L N E W O P P K Z C Y B O FAN CLUB NEWSLETTER C I T A C A D E M Y O F C O U N T R Y M U S I C FESTIVAL A T I L W E R T N S P J S P M O E D I V S F R A GEORGE GUEST BOOK N A O B P I U Y N D F T G L K R E V E N T S O L JOHN M T N U F P I C T U R E S E E M A I L C R S M I MALE VOCALIST U A S M S D F E G A H J K M P A O U O R A T B S MARKET NOMINATIONS S P Q E A N A N I T A B E A Y O H R B B I L M T NORMA I E M A R K E T J F S I N G L E S L K J T A N A ONLINE ONE STEP AT A TIME C T C O U N T D O W N E F A N C L U B L L B G T PEOPLE MAGAZINE Q S W O C A E R T Y U O I Z C S D R A W A B W E PICTURES N E W S L E T T E R T R C I S U M Y R T N U O C PRES. BUSH RECORD WORLD A N D K K O O B T S E U G N N E C D S A D B C T ROUGHSTOCK H O X R D L R O W D R O C E R D S A W Q R Y P N SINGLES SONG SRO STARTRAIL STRAITLAND STRAIT TALK SWAPSHOP TEAM ROPING We have three GSFC Winners from the February/March 1998 TNN MUSIC NEWS issue of Strait Talk. They are: TONY BROWN 1st Place (Jacket): Karen D. Clark - Colorado Springs, CO TOUR DATES TRUE 2nd Place (Sweatshirt): Lisa Watson - Sabina, OH UP FUN 3rd Place (T-shirt): Eva Jane Queen - Pflugerville, TX VIDEO

N a m e ______A d d r e s s ______City______State______Zip______Te l e p h o n e : ______Jacket Size______* All entries must be received by May 15, 1998. One Entry Only! S T R A I T T A L K

#5007 - White Tour T-Shirt

#224 - 8”x10” George in Red Plaid Shirt

#1051 - Thermal Mug 32 oz. Black Mug #612 - Poster 24”x36” w/New Country Music Festival design

#638 - Calendar (12 page, 15 month - June 1998-August 1999 #223 - 8”x10” George in Blue Shirt S T R A I T T A L K

Artist,” Favorite Album (1997 release) - on a regular basis to keep informed. The reason Anita’s Notes: ‘Carrying Your Love With Me’,” “Favorite for keeping in touch is that your issue of Strait Video Entertainer,” “Favorite Line Dance Song Talk is written up and printed so far in advance Welcome back! The first three months have (1997 release) - ‘One Night At ATime’.” that things do change. We are live on Monday flown by so quickly and from our busy phone The 32nd Annual TNN Music City News through Friday from 9am-5pm Central Time, but lines and website reports, I believe the next few Country Awards will be on June 15th, live from you can call in the evening and listen to the months will pass just as quickly. Nashville, TN. This award is fan voted each year updated recording or visit the website at As we write this issue of “Strait Talk,” George by ballots from the Music City News and by www.georgestraitfans.com. and his band are beginning to kick off the 1998 calling 900 numbers indicated in the magazine. Another area of importance of Fan Club seating. George Strait Country Music Festival tour. In George has been nominated for “Video of the WE DO NOT GUARANTEE FAN CLUB fact, by the time you get this newsletter, we will Year,” “Single of the Year,” “Album of the SEATING.Our only intention with fan club seat- probably have three or four of the festivals under Year,” “Song of the Year,” “Male Artist of the ing is to attempt and make good seats available our belts. I have to admit that this is the most Year,” and “Entertainer of the Year.” to members in the area where the concert is exciting undertaking that we have ever attempt- We would like to thank the fan club members being held, whenever possible. Good seating ed. George Strait and six other acts, including who wrote in and called in their votes last year. does not necessarily mean the first five rows. It Tim McGraw, John Michael Montgomery, Faith Remember, your vote DOES count. can also mean good seats a number of rows back Hill, Lee Ann Womack, Lila McCann and Asleep This brings us to the Fan Fair week of June 15- or in the lower bowl sections on the side. Each at The Wheel, will entertain almost one million 20th in Nashville, TN. Where thousands of fans venue may differ. WE DO NOT CONTROL fans over the next three and one-half months. gather for a week of entertainment, autograph TICKETS. Each venue has a contractual agree- Never before in country music has anyone sessions, and photo sessions with many of their ment with a local ticketing agency for the han- attempted to put together a stadium tour like this favorite artists. George will not be attending the dling of tickets. This is not done by the George one. Early ticket sales indications are that sell 1998 Fan Fair but, we will have our entire staff Strait organization. Fan club members should outs are on the horizon for all the stadiums. A at the fairgrounds in our Fan Fair booth during also understand that they may obtain better seats complete itinerary is available on the back page the entire week. We have not been assigned a by going through the normal ticket buying pro- of the newsletter. There will be no additions to booth number or location yet, but believe it will cedure. Members are only allowed to buy “2” fan this list. Our thanks to Chevy Trucks, Nokia, be in the same location as in the past. Please club seats each at one special location in each Wrangler and all of the other sponsors who are come by and see us, we enjoy visiting with you. city and at the designated time. If fan club seat- helping to make the event possible. We could not The 16th Annual George Strait Team Roping ing happens to sell out, we DO NOT add any do the festival tour and keep the prices at a very Classic is to take place on July 10-11th in additional tickets. There is no way we can pro- fair level without their help. Kingsville, TX. Please read the story on page ject how many fan club members will show up, George appeared on the American Music one about the event and all the happenings. We so we have to estimate it. In order to buy the spe- Awards on January 26th in Los Angeles and hope that you have a grand time and would love cial fan club seating, members must present their many of you watched as he walked away a dou- to hear from you about your visit in South Texas. unexpired membership card and one other form ble winner. The front cover of this issue of Strait You can write us at [email protected] or fax of identification to the ticket seller at the specif- Talk shows George holding the two trophies he us at (615) 822-2527. ic location on the day that tickets go on sale to won that night for “Best Country Male Artist” We have had many calls from Fan Club mem- the public. The procedure is on a first come, first and “Best Country Album.” We are happy to let bers who visit the George Strait website at served basis. Please keep your G.S.F.C. member- you know that George has completely healed the www.georgestraitfans.com but, do not under- ship card in a safe place. Lost membership cards severe case of Laryngitis that kept him from per- stand how to get in the Fan Club members only. will NOT be replaced! Membership fees will not forming on the Grammy Awards show in New We would like to take the time to again explain be refunded. York City. to you the procedure. Each issue we have a new Thanks to all of the fan club members who send There are many more awards to be handed out User Name and Password for you to use. You in materials for the Fan Club collectable column. over the next few months and George has DO NOT use your name and fan club member- You can read the explanation of what is appro- received his share of the nominations. He has ship number. Please use the TWO WORDS indi- priate for the column by reading the notes at the been nominated in four categories for the cated below: end of the column in this issue. Academy of Country Music Awards show to be Before we close this issue of Strait Talk, we held on April 22nd in Los Angeles, California. User Name: affirmed would like to congratulate Pam and Wade Garrett He has been nominated in for “Entertainer of the Password: ready on the birth of their new son, Ranger Colton Year,” “Top Male Vocalist,” “Album of the Year” Garrett, who was born on Feb. 10, 1998. Pam is (Carrying Your Love With Me) and “Single of The User Name and Password will change in the Operations Manager at the George Strait Fan the Year” (Carrying Your Love With Me). Let’s each issue of Strait Talk. There will be a new Club. We would also like to wish George and keep our fingers crossed and wish George the User Name and Password in the June-July issue George Jr. a Happy Birthday and Norma Strait a best. of Strait Talk. Remember, for website users the belated Happy Birthday. We hope you have ordered your Academy of User Name and Password are to be typed in Thanks to each of you for all the cards and let- Country Music Awards program that we had small letters - NO CAPS. If you move and we do ters that continue to pour into the fan club daily. offered in the last issue. It might help you keep not have your current address, you will not We hope you have fun at the George Strait up with the show as there will be no “Host” for receive your newsletter or the new User Name Country Music Festivals that are coming your this year’s program. and Password. way this spring. Don’t forget to send us the The Country Weekly Golden Pick Awards will Here is another reminder. The tour schedule, reviews from your town papers so we can share be handed out at the 4th Anniversary Party in on-sale dates and telephone numbers for ticket them with the rest of the fans. Nashville, TN. In April, George has been nomi- information is subject to change. Please keep in Till next time, thanks for helping us keep the nated for “Favorite Entertainer,” “Favorite Male touch with us at Strait Line or check the website country STRAIT!!! S T R A I T T A L K

this past year to concentrate on personal From The Mailbox: issues. I’d like to thank Norma for sharing him George, New Year! We are looking forward to your with us. She must be a wonderful, under- Congratulations on winning Male Vocalist new tour and also your new CD. We missed standing woman. I love to see her by his side and Album of the Year for “Carrying Your not seeing you in concert last year and we at the award shows, see him give her a kiss Love With Me” during the 25th Annual hope that you will be appearing close enough and hear him thank her and his family for all American Music Awards. I jumped out of my for us to get the opportunity to see you in his successes. They truly are great role mod- chair. concert this year. Again, congratulations and els for us all. Keep up the GREAT WORK!!! Sincerely, we wish you great success on your new tour. Ellen Goerlich Love y’all, Texas City, TX Pam Rhoades Karen D. Clark ______Leo, IN Colorado Springs, CO ______Dear George, Dear Anita, Congratulations on the American Music Hooray! George did it again! No one Dear George, Awards. How fantastic! You deserve the deserves it more. Thank you so much for the TNN Special, recognition. 1997 was a great year for George and his “Vintage George Strait.” The fine collection Hope your tour will bring you close to family with all the awards he has received. of music videos is something your fans have Wichita, KS. 1998 has started out great and we hope he been requesting for a long time. The selected Your Fan, continues to receive more honors all year. interviews mixed well with the arrangement Janet Schanbacker He’s great! of the show. It was exceptional. Thanks Udall, KS Always enjoy the newsletter. Keep up the again. ______good work. Sincerely, Your fans, Dear Anita & GSFC, Lorna & Chuck Stover Bill and Nancy Piechota Congrats George!!! You did it again!!! Two Valley Center, KS Golden, CO awards at the American Music Awards. I ______wish you would have performed though. Also, congrats on the nominations for The Dear Anita, TNN Music City News Awards. Way to go!!! Please congratulate “George” for me on the I was glad to read about your concert plans AMA Awards on winning two awards. I Pen Pals for 1998. I’m planning on going to Tempe, could listen to George everyday. He is the APRIL/MAY 1998 Arizona to see you. best! Keep up the GREAT job and can’t wait to A Strait Fan, (Fans that exchange letters through mail) see you. Is there a new album coming out Stella Prince Susan Davidson (age 41) this year? Pascagoula, MS 4732 SE 43rd Del City, OK 73115 Sincerely, ______Mari Adams Fiona Mackinnon (age 17) Las Vegas, NV Dear GSFC, 31 Weardale Ave. Blyth Congratulations on a great Feb./March Northumberland AOB: Yes, the new album “One Step at a newsletter. I’m really looking forward to the England Time” will be released mid-April. Country Music Festival in Denver. I plan on NE24 5LQ ______camping out to get my fan club member tick- Great Britain ets when they go on sale. I’ll be calling the Donna Lyell GSFC, Strait Line on a regular basis to get the 319 South 10th Street Way to go George! Congratulations to all details. Mayfield, KY 42066 involved (AMA Awards). I’ve been a fan of GS since he began, but Maxann Splitstone (age 43) only joined GSFC recently. He is “one in a 5774 E. Baseline Sincerely, million” and the BEST EVER!!!! He only P.O. Box 811 Sharron Cox gets better with age!! I make sure to see him White Cloud, MI 49349 Houston, TX and read everything I can about him. Jill Van Tuyle (age 44) ______I want to congratulate him on all his 6691 Shawnee Run Road awards; however, I believe he deserves more Cincinnati, OH 45243 Dear George, and more. I want to thank him for being the Congratulations on your awards at the most wonderful performer and family man in Trent Franklin (age 19) P.O. Box 107 AMA’s. What a great way to start out the the public eye. I admire him for taking off Dallas, NC 28034