What do you country guys think of G. Straight?

Fred Shannon · Post by **Fred Shannon** » 23 Jun 2006 9:09 am

"George Strait's 50 Number One hits". Guess that about sums it up.
Phred

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"From Truth, Justice is Born"--Quanah Parker-1904

John Steele · Post by **John Steele** » 23 Jun 2006 9:19 am

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There is no "chart" without record sales.
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Tell that to the label gurus and radio programmers, who shove some Shania Twain tune down everyone's throat in constant rotation, proclaiming it is her "next big hit" before it's even available for purchase to the public.

Sorry, I don't buy that.
If I wrote a book tomorrow, and hadn't sold a single copy, all I'd need would be Oprah Winfrey or some other talking head to endorse it. I'd know it was a "hit" before I went to bed that night, or sold one copy.
Blecch...
-John

Marlin Smoot · Post by **Marlin Smoot** » 23 Jun 2006 9:27 am

George Strait...a classic case study in how to do it right. Erv Woolsey his manager should also get credit along with the great musicians who played on his records.

George picks his songs to record so he has a great ear. He's even been with the same major record label from day 1. Most of the guys in his band are still the same or have been there a real long time.

More #1 singles in the history of country music as a solo artist than anyone else and he's far from retirement. I wish he'd make another movie.

One last thing...a country artist that wears a cowboy hat and cowboy boots who actually can ride a horse and rope cattle...interesting.

He's the real deal, something a lot of Nashville 'country' artist have seem to have forgotten; be real.

Webb Kline · Post by **Webb Kline** » 23 Jun 2006 9:41 am

I thought the 50 number ones CD was kinda boring and I love George Strait. But, I guess that sums up my opinion of what make a number on hit. While there are some good songs in that collection, most of his best work is found on cuts that didn't make #1 in my opinion.

I flat out love to sit behind my steel and play along with his band. It's fun stuff.

David Cobb · Post by **David Cobb** » 23 Jun 2006 9:55 am

George is one of my favorites and his earlier albums had good ballads, uptempo songs, and Western Swing.
After watching a dull video built around a fourth rate song off of his last album, I remembered why I don't feel compelled to buy his albums anymore.
He's been coasting for awhile now.

Brett, besides Paul F., I recall that Buddy Emmons and also John Hughey, if I'm remembering correctly, have done work on a number of George's most popular and in IMO, best selections.
Don't want to overlook 'em.

[This message was edited by David Cobb on 23 June 2006 at 11:03 AM.]

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 23 Jun 2006 10:02 am

George IS country,Bo donk-a-donk IS NOT,Should'nt be Hard to understand that.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 23 Jun 2006 10:13 am

George Strait and Willie Nelson shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence. That old doper isn't capable of shining George's shoes! Talk about someone living on their reputation!

Brett Anderson · Post by **Brett Anderson** » 23 Jun 2006 10:48 am

Per my Swedish brother. Your likes are similar to mine. I've always loved George's album cuts too. You've mentioned a couple that i have forgotten about. Off to Limewire I go. David C. Theresa responded in a post a few months back that there were only a few Paul didn't play on. Maybe she will refresh our memory.

Steve Hinson · Post by **Steve Hinson** » 23 Jun 2006 10:48 am

I like'em both!Willie is one of the greatest songwriters in the history of our music...and has made some truly great records...just my opinion...

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http://home.comcast.net/~steves_garage

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 23 Jun 2006 10:49 am

I'd rather hear George sing a country song.
No one is forgetting the steel men before Paul started recording with George.

George has 50 #1's for a reason. He gets better with age!

JMHO[This message was edited by Theresa Galbraith on 23 June 2006 at 11:51 AM.]

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 23 Jun 2006 10:53 am

to repeat Ray Minich "we really shouldn't be doin this"

His latest cd is full of great songs and great steel from Paul, it is his best complete album in a while.
Honkytonkville was very good too, I loved "Tell Me Something Bad about Tulsa" and Merles' " My Life's Been Grand"
Georges' voice has mellowed and sounds better than ever. If you listen closely you will hear that he has been listening to that box set of Merle that he mentions in "End of The World" .
Can anyone recall another singer with over 50 #1's ?
Besides that, I learn more pedal steel from his albums than any other place.
[This message was edited by Bo Borland on 23 June 2006 at 11:57 AM.]

Kirk Hamre · Post by **Kirk Hamre** » 23 Jun 2006 11:10 am

What is a kadonka donk bonk a donk anyway?

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 23 Jun 2006 11:22 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Can anyone recall another singer with over 50 #1's ?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

If I'm not mistaken, both Conway Twitty and Merle Haggard topped 50 #1's. I think Conway might have edged Merle by 1, but Hag's still recording.

By nown, George must surely be the all-time leader in that category, or will be soon.

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HagFan

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 23 Jun 2006 1:04 pm

Yeah, George has probably hit #51 or so? He's it in my book for true country!

[This message was edited by Theresa Galbraith on 23 June 2006 at 02:05 PM.]

Jason Schofield · Post by **Jason Schofield** » 23 Jun 2006 1:15 pm

I love George. His albums are very consistent in quality. He can play the old western swing stuff and always has steel guitar and fiddles. His album "Always Never the Same" is amazing from start to finish. One of my all time favs. I'll admit that some of his tunes get a little syrupy sometimes, but it's still really good tasting syrup. I hope George is still touring in his late 60s, then he'll really be considered legend.

Jeff Garden · Post by **Jeff Garden** » 23 Jun 2006 2:04 pm

I've seen George Strait live 4 times and the one word that comes to mind is "professional". He may be a man of few words when he's not singing but that's just the way I like it - no need for fancy light shows and pyrotechnics. He knows why you're there (to hear a great concert) and he gives you your money's worth. It's also refreshing to see a show start on time as opposed to when some swelled head egomaniac keeps a crowd waiting an hour, does five songs, and calls it a nite. George has a super tight band, always tasteful steel from Mike Daley, and consistent vocals from himself and his backup singers. Also, little wasted time between songs - one song goes right into the next. Any time I've seen him interviewed he comes across as an extremely modest person - unlike some of the overhyped "new country" acts that have to constantly remind us how great they are. Overall - a big thumbs up for George and the band. One of my all time favorite songs is still Amarillo By Morning.

David Tunnell · Post by **David Tunnell** » 23 Jun 2006 2:04 pm

Strait has had at least 51 number ones. The single off the "50 Number Ones" album, "I Hate Everything", went to #1, too. His album "Somewhere Down In Texas" came out since then, so there may be more #1s off of that. Strait eclipsed Conway Twitty's record a few years back.

If you don't like George Strait, you just don't like country. If I could play behind anybody in the world alive today, my first choice would be Ray Price, second would be Mandy Barnett (if you don't know who that is, you owe it to yourself to find out), and third would be George Strait. But, if George Strait wanted to call me, I would make arrangements to move him to the top of the list.

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Very truly yours,
David T. Tunnell
Alesis QS8; Peavey KB/A 300; Peavey KB5; BMI U-12; Session 500

Larry Strawn · Post by **Larry Strawn** » 23 Jun 2006 3:35 pm

David T.

If George S. called me to play, I sure wouldn't have to put him on hold while I thought about it!! LOL....

Larry

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"Fessy" S/D 12, 8/6 Hilton Pedal, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

Ben Slaughter · Post by **Ben Slaughter** » 23 Jun 2006 3:57 pm

I played country music for 5 years or so before I heard any of the lyrics. Think of it as a classic art form. Note selection and arrangement are the important things. The lyrics just give the vocalist some syllables to sing. They aren't meant to be modern, earth-shattering poetry.

I bet I'll hear a song 5 or 10 times before I actually hear the lyric.

Like so many others, King George's album cuts are always my favorites. Tons of great swing tunes, lots of great C6 work.

I believe Mr. Emmons has done quite a few sessions with GS over the years, including several (if not all) of the cuts on the "Pure Country" album.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 23 Jun 2006 10:08 pm

I don't believe in "number one hits". There's no such thing anymore. the market is so fragmented, everyone can have a "number one hit" in their own niche. It's totally meaningless.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 24 Jun 2006 4:48 am

I have the 50 #1's CD..

I don't think there are 50 #1's on that CD.

I like GS a lot, but I also tend to agree that much of the music is similar and the songs can be defined as a continuation of the last song we heard.

The formula is correct though and I'm fine with it. I have learned many things by listening to and playing GS tunes .

t

Marlin Smoot · Post by **Marlin Smoot** » 24 Jun 2006 5:26 am

The way songs are considered #1 are from monitored stations from publications such as Billboard and Radio & Records, two of the most respected publications in the industry.

Songs are encoded...so a computer can pick up the spin on a monitored station (usually in the top 100 markets) The total spins are recorded. This method determines, each week where the top 40 (Radio & Records) or top 75 (Billboard) songs lands on the chart. There are rules and regs...too much detail to go into here but each publication can tell you how they do it.

Todays songs, on each chart, have a proven number of spins that classify them as such. Too much is riding on the success of a song from the sales perspective to the success or continued success of the artist including booking, concert sales, management etc...

The industry needed/demanded a better measurement system of the songs and charts for all commercial formats thus, the monitored system...viewed by industry experts as the best system to date. It has been used this way first by Billboard and then by Radio & Records. It has been used for nearly 15 years now.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 24 Jun 2006 6:14 am

George Jones has a CD out with HIS choice of songs from his 50 YEARS in the business. They aren't necessarily his no. 1 hits, it's the songs that HE liked best. Good record!

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 24 Jun 2006 12:56 pm

It's hard to believe you guys would say negative remarks about a true country artist like George.