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Speculation took over various social media platforms as fans anticipated a potential collaboration between George Strait and Chris Stapleton.
The rumors came to fruition when Stapleton joined the Texan mid-stride on “Pancho and Lefty,” staying onstage for “You Don’t Know What You’re Missing,” an album cut he penned for Strait’s Love Is Everything, and revealing their first-ever collaboration, “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame,” on Strait’s forthcoming album.
“What an unforgettable night”
In the aftermath of the performance, Strait’s social media team took to various online platforms to share the news, stating, “What an unforgettable night on Saturday at @lucasoil.stadium as George kicked off his stadium shows for 2024! The excitement didn’t stop there, as he announced his forthcoming studio album, #CowboysandDreamers and brought out @chrisstapleton to perform their first-ever collaboration, “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame.”
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While the inspiration for the song is a mystery, it has sparked speculation that this might be a preview of what fans can expect from Strait’s upcoming album, tentatively titled ‘Cowboys and Dreamers.’
Details regarding the album’s release date remain undisclosed.
Watch the “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame” video:
“It’s so good to be back…man, it’s been six months, and that’s too long,” Strait said in greeting the sold-out crowd of 51,132 before teasing what was in store over the next two hours.
“We got some new stuff, too, I’m gonna throw in throughout the night, because I broke down and did another record, and I’m gonna play a few of those for you tonight,” Strait shared two songs in, playing the first-of-three, “Three Drinks Behind,” from his forthcoming album while also revealing the new studio album will be titled Cowboys and Dreamers.
It was a night of connection for all the cowboys and dreamers in the crowd, too. During “Check Yes or No” a couple got engaged while surrounding fans captured the moment, sharing in their celebration. And before “How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls,” Strait remarked, “I always like seeing some cowboys in the crowd because that means cowgirls are nearby.” Pausing briefly after to share that the next song was written by his longtime manager, Erv Woolsey, a cowboy himself who recently passed, Strait shared, “I miss you, Erv.”
“We always like to do songs from our old heroes that have passed on and finally got this one down (recorded) and gonna do it now live, this is ‘Waymore’s Blues,’” he offered halfway through his 32-song set.
Retired Lt. General Leroy Sisco introduced Retired US Army Private Issac Boshi in a poignant moment on stage presenting a new home to the hero noting it was his 113th home presentation with Strait via Military Warriors Support Foundation’s Homes 4 Wounded Heroes Program.
Saturday was Strait’s first show back after devastating losses to his touring family including his longtime manager, Woolsey, Ace in the Hole member Gene Elders and tour manager, Tom Foote, Strait took the opportunity to acknowledge their absence throughout the evening. “The last couple of months have been a tough time… music makes it all better. Thank you for coming out – we’ve had a great time tonight. This one is for Erv, and Gene and Tom,” before concluding with a six-song encore.
What is George Strait known for?
George Strait is the unambiguous King of Country Music, having sold more than 105 million albums and counting while earning more than 60 major entertainment industry awards as well as countless nominations and becoming the only act in history to have a Top 10 hit every year for over three decades. With 33 different Platinum or multi-Platinum albums, he’s earned the third-most certifications of any artist in any genre, following only The Beatles and Elvis Presley, and with a total of 60, Strait has more No. 1 songs than any other artist in history (including Elvis).
The Texas troubadour released 2019’s best-selling Country album, Honky Tonk Time Machine, on MCA Nashville, produced by Strait and Chuck Ainlay, the album quickly became Strait’s record-extending 27th No. 1 Billboard Country album. Comprised of 12 original titles plus Strait’s version of the Johnny Paycheck classic “Old Violin,” Honky Tonk Time Machine marks an incredible 30th career studio album from the Country Music Hall of Fame member, who earned his 100th entry on the Billboard Country Airplay chart with his single “The Weight of the Badge” from the project. For more information, visit GeorgeStrait.com.
