DECEMBER 2014, JANUARY, FEBRUARY 2015 VOL. 32 NO. 4 Thirty Years of Pure Joy! Thirty years ago, when we were asked to ‘King George”. In the end, after two amaz- person until their membership expires. We take over the George Strait Fan Club, we ing years, we have watched the Cowboy don’t know how big each newsletter will had no idea about what we were going to Ride Away. be, but it will contain any of the latest news witness. Our excitement was based on do- George Strait will continue to make records about George and his career. Our store and ing something with someone we liked very and we’re sure you will occasionally find office will remain open during the Christ- much and really believed in. During that him performing somewhere but not until at mas season and for a few weeks after to deal time we have been to hundreds of shows, least 2016. However, there will not be any with any issues that may arise. met tens of thousands of incredible fans, more George Strait tours. There will not We would like to thank each and every made some life lasting friendships and had be any more ticket on-sales, no more tour one of you for your support and friendship. more fun than the law allows. We have also merchandise and no more need for us. By There are many of you we have known for been able to watch the incredible transfor- the end of January 2015, after 30 wonderful thirty years and we will miss a great deal. mation of a Texas honky-tonk singer into years, we will be closing the George Strait However, like George, we have run the good the classiest, kindest, most well-respected General Store and office in Tennessee. We race and played the game to the best of our entertainer in the history of Country Music. will no longer have new memberships or ability and now it is time to rest. We have watched as he accumulated 33 dif- renewals but we will continue the send the Thank you for everything! ferent Platinum or Multi-Platinum albums, George Strait Fan Club newsletter to each second only to Elvis Presley. We have watched him garner an unbelievable 60 #1 singles, more than anyone else in history including Elvis. We have watched as he earned 81 Country Music Association nomi- nations and won 22 times, more than anyone Happy 43rd else ever. We have watched as he entered the Country Music Hall of Fame and we have watched as he was handed many other Anniversary! awards over the years. We have watched as he has done many wonderful charitable deeds without once asking for recognition. George & Norma Strait We have watched as he grew a small family roping in Texas to the most prestigious open Team Roping competition in America. We December 4th have watched as this Texas legend became - 1 - STRAIT TALK Four Years of George Strait Vaqueros Del Mar Invitational Golf Tournament & Auction Totals $1.1 Million For Military Wounded In Action BOERNE, Texas, Oct. 30, 2014 /PRNews- Entertainment was provided by the Josh Away Tour” date on June 7 with a record wire/ -- George Strait and Texas business- Grider Band and Reckless Kelly followed by more than 104,000 fans in attendance. The man Tom Cusick today announced the a live auction with Strait, Cusick and David current ACM and CMA entertainer of the fourth annual Vaqueros del Mar Invita- Feherty on stage to encourage the crowd. year has more No. 1 singles than any artist tional Golf Tournament and Auction raised The grand finale on Sunday included the and has had a Top 10 hit every year for 30 a record $550,000. Over the four years golf “Shootout” with 10 teams vying for the years. of the event, more Tapatio Springs Hill than $1.1 million has Country Resort & been raised to benefit Spa, nestled in the military wounded in Texas Hill Country just action. Hosted by Strait outside of San Antonio, and Cusick at Tapatio is framed with scenic Springs Hill Coun- rocky cliffs, dotted try Resort & Spa in with lakes and clear Boerne, Texas, Saturday streams and shaded and Sunday, October 25 by a variety of trees -26, the event ben- including Spanish oaks, efits Feherty’s Troops pecan and redbuds. First Foundation. The It offers scenic views foundation provides and a PGA 18-hole meaningful assistance Billy Johnston course to military members that tests the skills of who have been wound- the most advanced ed serving in Iraq or player, and is an excit- Afghanistan. ing challenge for less Strait and Cusick, accomplished players. who are joint owners of the resort with new grand prize custom-designed buckles fol- The 111 spacious rooms all offer either a partner Northview Hotel Group, created the lowed by the Jam Session and Celebration patio or balcony, and amenities include fundraiser in November 2011 to support party. Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel dining, swimming, fitness center, tennis and wounded U.S. servicemen and women. This got the evening going with Jamey Johnson, horseback riding. An ideal event venue loca- year the event kicked off with a Western Dean Dillon, and Keith Gattis joining in. tion, Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort Gala and Live Auction Saturday night at The King of Country Music then joined his & Spa provides an extraordinary setting for Estancia at Thunder Valley, Cusick’s exclu- good friends in playing many of his favorite any intimate celebration, private event or sive Texas hill country community near the hits, a very rare opportunity as he just this business meeting. Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort & Spa. year played his final “The Cowboy Rides - 2 - STRAIT TALK George Strait’s The Cowboy Rides Away: Live from AT&T Stadium Deluxe Edition is Available Exclusively from Wal-Mart Deluxe Package Includes 28 Live Tracks on Two CDs, a Full Concert DVD and Exclusive Interviews with the King of Country Music NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Thursday, October 9, 6. Easy Come, Easy Go (with Eric Church)* DVD 2014) – Iconic singer/songwriter and former 7. That’s What Breaking Hearts Do 1. Check Yes Or No CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year George 8. Marina Del Rey 2. A Fire I Can’t Put Out Strait has released THE COWBOY RIDES 9. Here For A Good Time (with Sheryl Crow) 3. The Love Bug (with Vince Gill) AWAY: LIVE FROM AT&T STADIUM Deluxe 10. I Can Still Make Cheyenne 4. Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind Edition exclusively with Walmart. The deluxe 1 1. Jackson (with Martina McBride) (with Vince Gill) package includes 28 live tracks on two CDs and a 12. I Saw God Today* 5. River Of Love DVD of the 40-song show from the June 7, 2014 13. Drinkin’ Man* 6. Lead On record-breaking The Cowboy Rides Away Tour 14. River Of Love* 7. Fool Hearted Memory (with Jason Aldean) final show at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas 15. A Showman’s Life (with Faith Hill) 8. Nobody In His Right Mind Would’ve Left complete with exclusive commentary from Strait. 16. Amarillo By Morning (with Alan Jackson)* Her (with Jason Aldean) Joining Strait for this historic night were very * indicates a deluxe track 9. Arkansas Dave (with Bubba Strait) special guests Jason Aldean, Ray Benson, Kenny 10. I Saw God Today CD Disc 2 Chesney, Eric Church, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, 11. Cowboys Like Us (with Eric Church) 1. Murder On Music Row (with Alan Jackson) Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert 12. Easy Come, Easy Go (with Eric Church) 2. The Chair and Martina McBride, and introduced George 13. That’s What Breaking Hearts Do 3. Give It All We Got Tonight “Bubba” Strait, Jr. 14. Marina Del Rey 4. How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls (with Miranda Strait was nominated for a repeat Entertainer 15. Here For A Good Time (with Sheryl Crow) Lambert)* of the Year title at this year’s CMA Awards. With 16. When Did You Stop Loving Me (with 5. Run (with Miranda Lambert) his remarkable 30+ year career, Strait is one of Sheryl Crow) 6. I’ll Always Remember You the most prominent figures in music history. The 17. I Can Still Make Cheyenne 7. Ocean Front Property (with Kenny Chesney) undeniable “King of Country Music” performed 18. Drinkin’ Man 8. The Fireman (with Kenny Chesney)* for over 1 million fans during his two-year, 19. Jackson (with Martina McBride) 9. Troubadour record-breaking final U.S. tour and has influ- 20. Golden Ring (with Martina McBride) 10. Unwound* enced countless more. 21. Give It Away 11. All My Ex’s Live In Texas (with Jason THE COWBOY RIDES AWAY: LIVE FROM 22. I Got A Car Aldean, Ray Benson, Kenny Chesney, Eric AT&T STADIUM DELUXE EDITION Track 23. A Showman’s Life (with Faith Hill) Church, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Faith Listing: 24. Let’s Fall To Pieces Together (with Hill, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, CD Disc 1 Faith Hill) Martina McBride) 1. Check Yes Or No 25. I Believe 12. The Cowboy Rides Away 2. The Love Bug (with Vince Gill) 26. Blame It On Mexico * indicates a deluxe track 3. Fool Hearted Memory (with Jason Aldean) 27. Amarillo By Morning (with Alan Jackson) 4. Arkansas Dave (with Bubba Strait) Produced by Chuck Ainlay and George Strait for 28. Murder On Music Row (with Alan Jackson) 5. Cowboys Like Us (with Eric Church) George Strait Productions Continued on page 8..