JUNE, JULY, AUGUST 2007 VOL. 25 NO. 2 GeorgeGeorge andand NormaNorma atat thethe HallHall ofof FameFame MedallionMedallion CermonyCermony George Strait Wins Three At ACM Awards Song of the Year & Single of the Year for Artist and Producer! George Strait made his trip to Las Vegas Year” for the same song. Strait picked up two thanked his record company, country radio, this week a very memorable one as he carted trophies in that category for both Artist and his band and road crew for all their hard work off three of the winning trophies from the Producer, a role he shared with long-time co- on his behalf. Academy of Country Music. Strait who had producer, Tony Brown. George Strait has won 18 awards from the been nominated for eight awards, won three Strait, dressed in all black for the occasion, Academy during his career and has received awards including “Song of the Year” for made two trips to the podium and thanked his 70 nominations. n “Give It Away” and also for “Single of the fans for their years of support. He also George Strait Receives Hall of Fame Medallion NASHVILLE, TN - May 7, 2007 - Country Music Icon George Strait was honored Sunday evening as one of the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame. The prestigious ceremony, which has become on the Nashville’s most cherished events, was hosted by the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum. Other honorees included legendary guitarist Harold Bradley and enduring country-pop hit- maker Sonny James. The Sunday, May 6th, event included more than a dozen veteran Hall of Fame members who gathered to welcome the 2006 inductees in an emotional ceremony filled with music, memories and warm embraces - as Continued on following page George Strait with fellow inductees Sonny James (L) and Harold Bradley (R) STRAIT TALK George Strait Receives Hall of Fame Medallion (Continued from previous page) more #1 hits than any other country well as plenty of tears and laughter. singer, Young cited how the singer had The medallions were presented to the new raised the bar for all country artists - inductees by longtime friends who preceded while doing things his way. them in the Hall of Fame. George Jones present- The musical tribute began with song- ed Strait with his medallion and spoke of writer Dean Dillon, who has had more Strait’s dedication to traditional country music Strait cuts than anyone else. He sang and to his wife, Norma Strait, and son, Bubba “The Chair,” the first of many #1 hits Strait. he’s created for the Texas star. Lee Those performing songs toasting his career Ann Womack then offered a powerful included Dean Dillon, Alan Jackson, and Lee version of “The King of Broken Ann Womack. Hearts,” a Jim Lauderdale song that Among the Country Music Hall of Fame mem- Strait recorded on the multi-platinum bers attending were Alabama’s Jeff Cook, Pure Country soundtrack. Teddy Gentry and Randy Owen; Bill Anderson; After that, Alan Jackson strode out Jimmy Dickens; Phil Everly of the Everly from the side of the stage, thanking Brothers; George Jones; The Jordanaires’ Louis Strait for his down-to-earth style and Nunley, Gordon Stoker and Ray Walker; humble manner, before offering a Brenda Lee; Charlie Louvin; Jo Walker- romping take on “The Fireman,” a Meador; Frances Preston; Porter Wagoner; and song Jackson first sang while working E.W. “Bud” Wendell. his way up through nightclubs in The evening began at 5 p.m. as the three hon- Tennessee and Georgia. orees arrived to walk the red carpet into a recep- George Jones then came up to intro- tion in the Curb Conservatory, followed by duce Strait and give him his medallion. other Hall of Fame members, where they The legendary Hall of Fame member enjoyed catered food and cocktails while cisit- said, “Few artists achieve what George George Strait with Norma, Nan Voss (Norma’ Mother) ing with friends. At 7 p.m., guests moved into Strait has.” He also recalled their first and Bubba Strait the 213-seat Ford Theater, where they were meeting in the early eighties, when called to order with the western swing of Bob Strait performed at the Jones Country theme gets to be a cowboy. He stayed married to the Wills, on a recording from the Museum’s Bob park and then joined Jones at home to watch a same woman, Norma, for 35 years. Hot damn, Pinson Recorded Sound Collection. Other football game. “Now he’s King George,” Jones that’s good, you know!” guests viewed Strait’s back-to-roots sound and said. “And he never changed from being the shy, Strait accepted his medallion, telling Jones, his stoic cowboy image. Now that Strait has quiet kid from Texas. He still rides horses and “You’re the king, I don’t care what you say.” Quickly growing emotional, Strait choked up between sentences. “From the day I started singing country music, I dreamed of getting into the Country Music Hall of Fame,” he said. “It’s the ultimate achievement you can have in this business, so that’s what I wanted. I’m truly hon- ored and blessed today to be in the Country Music Hall of Fame.” The evening ended with the honorees, per- formers and members of the Country Music Hall of Fame standing on stage performing “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?” Afterward, they enjoyed dessert and coffee in the Curb Conservatory. Attendees embraced each other with goodbyes, speaking of family - both bio- logical and musical - before promising to see each other again at next year’s ceremony. The event was taped for future broadcast by the Great American Country cable network and 650 George Strait with Norma, John Strait, Anna Strait and Bubba Strait AM WSM.n STRAIT TALK 25 Strait Years - A Record-Setting Success Written by Dee Ann Cameron to the final three full Spin to Win Magazine, www.spintowin.com rounds on Saturday. On March 23, 2007, a record number of 627 Britt Williams and teams rode into The Rose Palace arena in San Russell Cordoza led Antonio, Texas to rope for a record amount of the pack on Friday cash and prizes. Along the way, other new with a time of 9.56 records were set. on two head. They Hosted by country superstar and avid team received Gist trophy roper, George Strait, the sold-out GSTRC buckles for their event is among the largest and most prestigious efforts. Rounding out open ropings in the world and annually plays the top 50 teams was host to the most accomplished names in the J.D. Yates and Jory sport. Ropers competed for a chance at cash Levy, who were prizes totaling more than $500,000, two Chevy 12.01 on two head in Silverado Trucks provided by Cavender Friday’s roping. Chevrolet of Boerne, Texas, two Strait X-treme Several ropers had 3 horse slant trailers by Bruton, Twister sad- two call backs in dles and Gist Buckles. Saturday’s roping; Nick Sartain and Jhett Johnson celebrated the however, after two event’s silver anniversary in a big way. Sartain, full rounds, it was of Yukon, OK, and Johnson, of Casper, WY, headers Nick Sartain roped three steers in 16.84 seconds for a first and Jay Adams who Jhett Johnson (L) and Nick Sartain (R) place finish. Their efforts earned them each still held two posi- $84,337 in cash, Chevy crew-cab trucks, tions in the top five teams. Jay and brother hold, and Cowden threw an expert heel loop Bruton Easy Pull trailers, and Browning shot Randon entered the final round in fifth place that looked like it would take them to the lead. guns. Only a fraction of a second behind, the with an 11.63. Their run of 5.35 put them in the But at the last minute, the steer took a giant brother duo of Jay and Randon Adams were lead with a 16.98. The fourth place high call leap over his loop and he came up empty. The 16.98 on three head. They were awarded back was Sartain and Johnson. Their 5.21 gave high call back team was Sartain and Kolyn $33,775 each and Twister trophy saddles. them a 16.84, taking over the lead. VonAhn with a time of 10.63. Sartain needed In addition to the general payout and extrava- Joe Beaver and Nicky Simmons were third to be 6.2 or faster to take over his own lead. gant prizes, the roping’s unique format also high call. Beaver turned the steer fast, but a “This is the jackpot roping of the year,” draws the best teams in the world. Friday’s for- slipped leg cost the team five seconds, for a Sartain said. “I grew up watching video tapes mat is a two-steer progressive, open to the 21.94. Jay Adams rode back into the box in the of this roping and I always dreamed of winning world, enter up to three times at $800 per team. second high call position, for partner Cody it someday. It was just an incredible feeling to The top 50 teams from this field then advance Cowden. Adams turned the steer in the money ride in the box as the high call team, and I was already winning the roping. This is an amazing position to be in. Nothing really compares to that.” As he had many times throughout the day, Sartain reached out and grabbed the steer quick. VonAhn rolled in behind and delivered his loop under the steer.