MARCH, APRIL, MAY 2012 VOL. 30 NO. 1 ~Thirty Years~ The 30th Annual George Strait Team Rop- Prize winners with a truck and Bruton year’s total pay out and prizes alone totaled ing Classic will take place on March 9th & Trailer was born.. Jack Stephenson and Rich $650,000+. Grand Champions Key (Header) 10th at the San Antonio Rose Palace in San Skelton were the lucky recipients. The next and Corkill (Heeler) rode away with custom Antonio, Texas. It’s hard to believe that it year over a 100 more teams competed with a painted GSTRC Championship Chevy has been that long. record breaking 590 teams. Silverado Duallies from Cavendar Chevrolet In 1983, gas was $1.29, bread $.66 and a In 2000, the event moved to it’s new home (Boerne, TX), Strait X-treme horse trailers stamp wasn't even a quarter yet. A from Bruton Trailers, Twist- young country singer named George er saddles from Tractor Strait had celebrated a couple of Supply, Resitol roping bags, number one songs “Fool Hearted jackets from Wrangler and Memory” and “A Fire I Can’t Put Justin, Montana Silversmith Out.” belt buckles and half of the But deep in the heart of Texas, $174,600 cash payoff. Strait and his older brother Buddy “The core team is the same were entertaining another passion except for the passing of - and one Texas sized idea. “Let’s my brother Buddy,” notes have an open team roping event.” George. “Needless to say, The Strait brothers created the First we miss him dearly. Pete Annual George Strait Team Roping Wright and his incredible Classic. team the roping for years. Being ropers themselves and very Collie Webb also has been passionate about the sport, George there from the start and he and Buddy set out with one main has always made sure all of goal. "Have a good roping, have fun doing at the San Antonio Rose Palace. Today’s the ground work was done. We now have it and try to give good prizes and pay- roping consists of over 500 teams compet- Arkie Kiehne announcing the roping along out." With an entry fee of $250 a team, the ing in preliminaries with the Top 50 return- with his great team of assistants. Reed Flake Texas-Residents Only roping event began ing the next day for the finals. The list has also helps him announce, our chute help, in Kingsville, TX with 137 teams signed grown into the “Who's Who” of the roping flagger Johhny Garcia and the list goes on up. Back then, there was also a post event world...with names like Allen Bach, Jake and on with many more who contribute.” concert from the rising country music star. Barnes, Bobby Hurley, Clay O' Brien, Steve With 30 years under their belt buckle, what The first year’s winning team, Jack and Purcell, Rich Skelton, Speed Williams, Nick better way to reflect than with the ropers this Jackie Stephenson (father and son) were Sartain, David Keys and Tee Woolman, just event started with: awarded saddles. It soon became obvi- to name a few. Nick Sartain: ous that if the roping was going to grow, it "I'm proud to be able to say we are the "It's my kind of roping. Best jackpot of would need to be open to all ropers around largest open roping event out there and our the year. I look forward to it more than any the world and that’s what happened. The sponsors are responsible for a major part of other roping all year long. It suits my style event grew swiftly from 179 teams to 265 that success," acknowledges George Strait. the best. The barrier is shorter and the steers in 1985, 367 in 1988, 422 in 1989 and 462 Over three decades, the prizes and payout are fresh. You’ve got to handle them good. in 1990 – seven years after it all began. In have continued grow as well with overall It’s only a three header on Saturday. I'm 1990, the tradition of awarding the Grand totals well into the multi-millions. Last Continued on following page... STRAIT TALK ~Thirty Years~ Continued from the previous page... George and Norma do an outstanding job. hand-written letter. That young country mu- pretty aggressive and this roping calls for They do an outstanding job with all their sic star recently celebrated his 58th Number you to be fast." sponsors too. They changed the format up a one single “Here For A Good Time,” has David Keys: little bit last year and has made changes with sold nearly 69 million records and has been "Thirty years of the George Strait roping the times to make it bigger and better every inducted into the Country Music Hall of means to me. Lots of payouts, lots of trucks, year. It’s a great roping for the fans to watch Fame. lots of trailers and lots of memories for me. and it’s a great roping for the contestants." But it is that modest event that began 30 I've been going for 26 years now and finally Rich Skelton: years ago in Kingsville,TX by two brothers won it last year. That was the biggest win "I really enjoy the roping because for one, that has the “King of Country” in awe today. of my life. With what George gives away, it's texas and and two, it's the best roping The George Strait Team Roping Classic has not only does it make a great pay, it makes a going. It’s the roping where you can win the become one of the most sought after events great year. His roping actually changes lives most money. We have the greatest ropers to win - not just for the prizes but to com- for ropers. George turned this roping into in the world and the greatest singer in the plete a roper’s resume. something that probably none of us dreamed world. George is a great host and a good “I can’t believe it has been 30 years...30 of it being 20 years ago." friend of ours. To me it doesn't get any better great years,” says Strait. “It’s amazing. If Tee Woolman: than that." you want to see team roping at its best, "It's grown into probably the largest open Today, the average price of gas is $3.31, come out and watch. All the World Champi- roping in the world, if it's not the largest. bread $2.00 and email has replaced the ons are here. Enter up boys and girls!” Concert Review: George Strait At US Airways Center Written by Taylor Moon, February 4, 2012 tucked into his Wrangler jeans, belt buckle, back the honky-tonk days and turned up the Phoenix NewTimes boots and cowboy hat to top it off. Looking twang. Hats go off the Strait. Literally, hats Wow, I truly underestimated the amount of like he always does, Strait is a perfect ex- went off to him. country fans in Arizona. ample of an artist immune to trends or flavor Setlist: Rising to their feet for the only and only of the week attitudes. He looks -- and sounds Deep In the Heart of Texas (Bob Wills "King of Country," George Strait walked -- like he always has. Strait's voice sounded cover), Twang I Hate Everything, Check onto the stage and the crowd went crazy. exactly like he did when I first ever heard Yes or No, I Can Still Make Chey- They whistled so loud that my ears continue my first Strait song, "She'll Leave You With enne, Run Wrapped, Honk If You Honky to ring and women of all ages screamed out, A Smile." It was very refreshing to hear, and Tonk, The Seashores of Old Mexico, Tex- "I love you, George!" brought back great memories. And it made as, The Fireman, Ocean Front Prop- Now I understand why my mom is so jeal- me miss home. erty, Heartland, I Ain't Her Cowboy Any- ous of me. Strait is every cowgirl's heart- I love me some George Strait, but I wasn't more, She'll Leave You With a Smile, Where throb. With a catalog as loaded with great expecting that great of a performance or Have I Been All My Life, How 'Bout Them songs, how can Strait possibly decide what turn out. Not a seat seemed to be empty, Cowgirls, Arkansas Dave, The Chair, Ama- to play each night? The crowd didn't seem unless that person was standing up danc- rillo By Morning, I Saw God Today, Give picky; whatever tune he played the crowd ing. Strait made a real connection with the It Away, River of Love, Living For The loved it. Even new tune got the audience crowd. His songs always told a story and it Night, Troubadour, Unwound dancing. Too bad there wasn't enough room was easily understood by the crowd. Backed Encore: for couples to country two-step. by an excellent band, "The George Band" El Rey, Folsom Prison Blues, The Cowboy Strait wore his normal button up shirt Strait tore The 'King of Country' brought Rides Away. STRAIT TALK Concert Review: George Strait At Amway Center Written by Jim Abbott, February 12, 2012 increased the intimacy of a show devoid of “Twang.” Orlando Sentinel strobes, lasers and other flashy diversions. Strait’s roadhouse style was complemented It’s increasingly hard to distinguish a That’s OK. The man’s music offers its own by the 65-minute opening set by Martina country show from arena rock nowadays, subtle sparks.