MARCH, APRIL, MAY 2008 VOL. 26 NO. 1 “Troubadour” Sets A New Standard For Strait CDs Each time a new George Strait CD arrives that are instant classics as well. Satcher. on the desk to be listened to, we do so with “Troubadour” is packed with 12 sensa- Long time contributor Dean Dillon con- great excitement, but at the same time, that tional songs produced by Strait and his tributed his writing talents on a duet with little thought in the back of the mind long-time co-producer Tony Brown. In Strait on the song “West Texas Town” that always asks the question, “How can this addition to Strait’s incredible vocals, he has he wrote with Texas tunesmith Robert Earl CD live up to the one Keen. before it”. The good news The other songs on the is that each CD has always album include managed to take that next “Troubadour” by Monty leap to greatness. George Holmes and Leslie Satcher, Strait’s new CD “It Was Me” by Buddy “Troubadour” has not only Cannon and Randy surpassed our expectations Hardison, “Brothers of the but may very well have Highway” by Doug raised the bar a couple of Johnson, Nicole Witt and notches more than normal. Kim Williams, “River of It is simply the greatest Love” by Shawn Camp, George Strait CD we have Billy Burnette and Dennis ever heard and we have Morgan, “Give Me More heard them all. We also Time” by Dean Dillon, realize that we are a little Scotty Emerick and Al prejudiced toward his music Anderson, “When You’re In but we are also usually Love” by Dean Dillon and guarded in our praise so as Kerry Phillips, “Make Her not to seem like cheerlead- Fall In Love With Me ers. This CD is simply out- Song” by Leslie Satcher and standing and the title says it Al Anderson, “House with all. No Doors” by Kacey The first single from the Coppola, Kate Coppola and CD, “I Saw God Today” Jamey Johnson and “If was the highest debuting Heartaches Were Horses” single of his career and, as by Dean Dillon, Buddy we write this, is moving near the top 10 in joined with one of the great female vocal- Brock and Will Nance. only three weeks. The song was written by ists in country music history, Patty “Troubadour” will be available on-line Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell and Loveless, on a magnificent rendering of the and in stores on April 1st and may be pre- Wade Kirby. The amazing thing is that pulsating bluesy song “House of Cash” that ordered through the George Strait Fan Club there are many other songs on the album was written by Monty Holmes and Leslie at www.georgestrait.com.n STRAIT TALK It’s George Strait Team Roping Classic Time In Texas The stalls have all been cleaned, the onship. Supply, Gist Buckles and US Tobacco. grounds spruced up, the new chutes In addition to Cavender Chevrolet and Wayne Wright Lawyers sponsors the checked and double checked, the buildings Bruton Trailers, the event is also sponsored extremely popular Red Wrapped Steer cleaned and touched up, the food and drink by Brake Check, Bill Millers BBQ, Hill challenge on Saturday that will give ropers inventories ordered, the vendor booth space Country/Kioti Tractors, H.E.B. Food the opportunity to earn up to $10,000 each all sold, the sponsor agreements all in place Stores, Cactus Ropes, Wrangler, Justin round if they win that round on one of the and the US Tobacco scoreboard getting Boots, Classic Ropes, Frost Bank, Tractor Red Wrapped Steers.n ready to be hung with care. In a few short days the security meetings will take place and all the final plans put into effect. Hours after that, the big diesel pickups and haulers pulling everything from single horse trailers to mansions on wheels will begin pulling into the San Antonio Rose Palace in San Antonio, Texas for America’s premier Open Team Roping competition, the 26th Annual George Strait Team Classic. In 2007, 627 teams put up $800 each to compete for more than $500,000 in cash and prizes. In 2008, the entry fee of $1000 per team will make the prize money even bigger. In addition to the prize money, Cavender Chevrolet of Boerne, Texas will provide the champion header and heeler each with a 2008 Chevy dually pickup truck to pull their Bruton Strait Extreme Three-Horse slant trailers home loaded with all that winning cash. Last years win- ners, Nick Johnson and Jhett Johnson, earned more than $42,000 a piece. Pre-registration for the 2008 Classic will Happy Birthday! take place from 5-10 pm on Monday and Tuesday, March 3rd and 4th between 5 and 10 pm. Ropers wishing to enter can pre- George register by calling 210-698-9251. Roper payment and final registration will begin at (May 18th) 5 pm on Thursday, March 13th and all entry fees must be paid by 9 am on Friday, & March 14th. The GSTRC gets underway on Friday, March 14th at 10 am with 2 go-rounds that George, Jr. will determine the top 50 teams. The top 50 teams from Friday will compete on (May 14th) Saturday, March 15th for the champi- STRAIT TALK Simple Set Wows Audience By Stacy D. Johnson Seashores of Old Mexico” and “Amarillo By With more than 30 albums to his credit, The Oklahoman Morning,” which fans happily sang along there was no lack of material. Strait per- Country music icon George Strait knows with him. formed more than 20 songs, mesmerizing the how to wow an audience. Amazingly, he can Strait wore his standard black cowboy hat, audience with hits such as “Give It Away” simply stand on a stage, point at a crowd and jeans, white shirt and cowboy boots. The and “Write This Down.” receive a deafening standing ovation. show was equally simple - just the man and It was a perfect night for all loyal subjects in Luckily for a capacity crowd at the Ford his music as he moved from microphone to the King of Country Music’s empire.n Center on Friday night, Strait also belted out microphone in each corner of the stage. his songs that have become country classics. Sarah Johns, a country music newcomer, opened Strait’s show with a feisty set of songs from her recent release. She was followed by the talented group, Strait Mixes Old Little Big Town. The amazing voices of the quartet blended so smoothly in harmony that it appeared to be seamless on each song, beginning with their newest hit, “I’m With & New, Delivers The Band.” The show featured a large square stage in the middle of the arena. During their set, band members moved separately to each side, The Hits, During playing to fans who were excited to hear “Bring It On Home” and other songs from their acclaimed albums that helped usher in a fresh sound in country music. Tour Kickoff The eagerly anticipated “Boondocks” closed By Clint Hale - San Antonio Express-News ing Strait’s rousing set were old favorites like their performance in perfect sync. The over- AUSTIN - A microphone stood at each of the “The Chair,” “Ocean Front Property,” whelming crowd response was well-deserved four corners of the stage, thus providing the “Heartland” and two backup vocalists, also and a sure sign that larger things are to come opportunity for George Strait to sing to every- managed to mix in more recent singles like for Little Big Town. Strait entered the arena to one of many one in the crowd at different points through- “Wrapped,” “I Hate Everything” and standing ovations as he was welcomed by a out his mammoth, hit-saturated set on “Cowboys Like Us.” crowd of all ages armed with cameras and Thursday night. Every two songs, Strait - the Strait, as subdued a musical legend as there cell phones. He immediately started singing, country icon who calls San Antonio home - is, kept in line with his simple ways, thanking picking through several of his hit songs, would switch corners and play to a different the crowd, cracking a few jokes and introduc- including “The Fireman” and “Check Yes or sector of fans. ing his Ace in the Hole band members. Of No,” before greeting the adoring crowd. Need proof to just how thick Strait’s country course, just because he eschews pyrotechnics “We got a lot of songs to play for you catalogue truly is? and theatrics doesn’t mean Strait isn’t among tonight. Hopefully, they’ll be some of your By the time he concluded his 110-minute the greatest entertainers of his generation. favorites,” he said to the loud, still-standing set, Strait had notched almost four full laps At 55 years old, when most men his age are crowd. around his “in the round,” center-based stage. cruising towards retirement, Strait showcased True to his word, Strait and his Ace in the In kicking off his latest nationwide tour, one his trademark twangy, honky tonk-flavored Hole Band entertained almost non-stop, sere- nading the audience with his popular swing that will only make two Texas stops, Strait voice that resonates just as much now as it hits and classic ballads from “Carrying Your delivered a hit-filled set, mixing in a few ever did. And it didn’t hurt that as part of his Love With Me” and “Cowboys Like Us” to obscure tunes along the way, before a capaci- three-song encore, he covered Johnny Cash’ “Ocean Front Property.” ty - and rather age diversified - crowd at the legendary “Folsom Prison Blues,” which He also treated the audience to some of his Frank Erwin Center.