George Strait photo courtesy of MCA Nashville.

George also unleashes his deeper nature in the career-reflective title track, featuring backing vocals by label-mate Vince Gill; "House With No Doors," a clever-but-wise reminder to the control freak in everyone; a pair of spiritually themed tracks, the eye-opening "I Saw God Today" and the subdued "Give Me More Time"; and "If Heartaches Were Horses," a cinematic conclusion to the album.

"That West Texas Town" has a surprising twist by making the song a duet with Dillon, it also provides a nod to a songwriter who's had a steady role in George's career, turning out such familiar titles as "Ocean Front Property," "I've Come To Expect It From You," "The Chair" and "She Let Herself Go."

"House Of Cash," featuring Loveless' powerful harmonic blend, puts a mountain-bred harmonic stamp on the passing of Johnny Cash and June Carter, using the tragic destruction of their Middle Tennessee home in a 2007 blaze and the name of Cash's former recording studio to pay tribute to the Man In Black's historic impact.

That George continues to fold subtle new wrinkles into an already-unparalleled career as a hit-maker is a testament to his still-burning passion for his art. Born and raised in Texas, he grew up on a ranch and earned an agricultural degree at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos. He fronted a band during a tenure with the Army, then found his voice in 1975 when he teamed up with a honky-tonk ensemble, the germination of what has become his Ace In The Hole touring band.
Even after he was heralded as a flag-bearing figure for traditional country music, George eschewed traditional career paths: He refused to move to Nashville, and—instead of sacrificing big chunks of his personal life to pursue his job—he works his touring and recording schedule around his time at home with Norma, to whom he's been married since 1971, and around his hobbies, including hunting and rodeos. In addition, George hosts his own team-roping competition every spring.

That smart attention to priorities has kept him fresh and focused on the creative process and given him an almost Elvis-like mystique. But where Presley remained an enigma through much of his career, Strait rather slyly reveals himself in small bites through his music. He's rarely recorded anything with a specifically autobiographical storyline, yet he maintains a strict integrity about his songs, choosing only material that fits his classic vocal style and his personal beliefs. He's been known to turn down obvious hits because he simply couldn't agree with one line or a verse in the song.

George Strait photo courtesy of MCA Nashville.

"He's real," Loveless says, "and anything that's real, it stays around. His music: It just comes out there effortlessly. It's no hanging from the rafters, no tricks, he just comes out there and sings to people. Men appreciate him as the real deal, and women are drawn to his voice and the way he carries himself on stage. He's such a gentleman, and he does have a great smile."

And, of course, a career that's consistently weathered musical trends to arrive at a place where he no longer worries about the rules of the music industry. He sets his own.
With an enviable consistency, George continues to sell out arenas and to stretch himself creatively with an album, Troubadour, which stands among the best in a career already filled with highlights. And he does so while all the while holding a permanent place on the country radio dial.

George Strait's ability to balance his personal life with his business and to creatively challenge himself without error is, in a word, remarkable.