April 1, 2008 — With more than 25 years of hits behind him, George Strait has established one of the most unique careers in any genre of music. He’s amassed more than 50 No. 1 hits, more than 30 platinum albums and more nominations in the Country Music Association awards than any other performer.

Even more impressive, George landed a home in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006, becoming the first artist inducted while he was still making Top 10 hits. And he keeps on making them. His latest single, "I Saw God Today," debuted at No. 19 on the national charts, the best first-week number he’s ever attained. Count on George to launch at least two or three more hits off his new album, Troubadour.

In recognition of all he’s accomplished, George is GAC’s Artist of the Month for April. Here’s a summation of what’s become the Strait Life:

1950s
• May 1952
George is born in Poteet, Texas, the son of a junior-high math teacher and a rancher. He learns to play trumpet and forms a garage band in high school, but doesn’t seriously consider music as a potential career until age 21.

1970s
• Dec. 1971
Having already tied the knot in Mexico seven months prior, George and his high-school sweetheart, Norma Voss, remarry in Texas.
• 1972
He joins the Army, where he becomes part of a military band while stationed in Hawaii.
• Oct. 1975
George makes his first appearance with the Ace In The Hole Band in San Marcos.
• 1976
He makes his first recordings, for D Records in Houston.
• 1979
George graduates from college with an agricultural degree.

1980s
Key tracks: "Unwound," "Amarillo By Morning," "The Chair," "Ocean Front Property," "All My Ex’s Live In Texas"
• Feb. 1981
George records his first hit, "Unwound," in Nashville.
• Sept. 1981
MCA releases his debut album, "Strait Country."
• Aug. 1982
Universal releases the movie "The Soldier." It marks the first movie role for George, who sings "Fool Hearted Memory" while a fight breaks out around him in a bar.
• Nov. 1984
George earns the first gold album of his career, for "Right Or Wrong."
• May 1985
George wins Top Male Vocalist for the first time from the Academy of Country Music.
• Oct. 1985
He claims his first CMA Male Vocalist of the Year trophy, while "Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind" nabs Album of the Year.
• April 1986
"Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind" takes Top Album honors from the ACM, and George repeats as the organization’s Top Male.
• Sept. 1986 He records "Ocean Front Property" and "All My Ex’s Live In Texas" on successive nights.
• Feb. 1987
"Ocean Front Property" becomes the first album ever to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard country album chart. Two weeks later, George picks up the first platinum album of his career, for his "Greatest Hits."
• Oct. 1989
He wins the CMA’s Entertainer of the Year for the first time.

1990s
Key tracks: "Love Without End, Amen," "I Cross My Heart," "Check Yes Or No," "Blue Clear Sky"
• Feb. 1990
George records "Love Without End, Amen."
• April 1990
He wins Entertainer of the Year from the ACM and "People" magazine names him one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world.
• Oct. 1992
"Pure Country," the only movie in which he has the lead role, debuts in theaters.
• Sept. 1995
MCA releases the four-disc compilation "Strait Out Of The Box." He records "Blue Clear Sky" the same month.
• March 1998
George begins the first of four annual stadium tours, playing to 56,000 people in Arizona. The lineup features Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, John Michael Montgomery and others.

2000s
Key tracks: "Murder On Music Row" (with Alan Jackson), "You’ll Be There," "Give It Away," "I Saw God Today"
• Oct. 2000
"Murder On Music Row" wins Vocal Event of the Year from the CMA.
• March 2002
George plays the final Houston Livestock & Rodeo show at the Astrodome, with 68,000 attending.
• Jan. 2003
George enters the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.
• Nov. 2003
He receives a National Medal of Arts from President George W. Bush at the White House.
• Oct. 2004
MCA releases the compilation "50 Number Ones."
• Nov. 2006
He officially enters the Country Music Hall of Fame.
• Nov. 2007
"It Just Comes Natural" wins Album of the Year from the CMA.
• April 1, 2008
MCA releases "Troubadour."