George Strait photo by Vanessa Gavalya, courtesy of UMG Nashville.
Even still, the song serves as a stark reminder that while the end of his musical days isn’t quite here yet, the King won’t be taking the stage forever.
Often success can change a man and while George has definitely seen his share of growth and change as a musician, along this 30 year career, he has remained as dependable in life as he has with his music. While he has racked up nearly every major awards (many more than once) including Grammys, CMAs, ACMs; much has remained the same for George Strait.
He is still married to his high school sweetheart Norma, whom he married in December of 1971. His backing band (known as the Ace In The Hole band) is the only band that has ever backed him since he left the Army back in 1975 and was not built around him as most bands are, but instead George JOINED the Ace In The Hole band (then named Stoney Ridge) as their singer back during his college days at Southwest Texas State University. While some members have changed over the years, bass guitarist Terry Hale and steel guitarist Mike Daily remain from the original group. George met Erv Woolsey (his manager to this day) in the early ‘80s, who arranged for some execs from MCA Records to come to Texas and see the (then) young singer.
In his personal life as well, George continues to mix comfortable & worn with fresh & exciting. As he readies himself to be a Grandad for the first time this winter, he still loves his golf (he and a friend recently purchased a course in Texas and are readying it for a November ’11 opening), he still loves his Team Roping Classic as it enters its 30th year and he still loves his fishing.
And as he stands here today, amidst all of his awards, accolades and most of the same people he has for the last 30+ years, George is still excited about making new music, still looking ahead and still driven by the same thing he’s always been.
"I still enjoy it—I still love it. As long as I love it and enjoy it and am having fun, then I’m gonna keep doing it. I’m motivated by what I’ve always been motivated by—trying to make the best records that I can make and doing the best shows that I can do. Whenever that doesn’t motivate me anymore, then I’ll have to quit. It’s still a lot of fun for me now."
