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.