The Steel Guitar Forum

George is a true country legend, no doubt about it...been around a long time. I love a lot of his early stuff...some really great songs. (Like b0b, I don't really see the need for a CD of #1 hits...it is sort of meaningless, since mainstream hits and stars are manufactured by the corporate machine.

Willie was mentioned, and bashed. Different strokes for different folks. They're so different. George made his mark staying within a (safe) formula that worked for him. Willie made a mark as a great songwriter who wasn't afraid to stretch a bit. I just wish he had used steel on the bulk of his work, like George did. Historically, I think Willie will get the bigger nod overall...long hair and all...which bothers some people to the point of having a spasm. Willie will get the obligatory nod from Nashville, like Johnny, Waylon and others who sought to work outside the system. My opinion of course.

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Mike
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Blue Moon Highway
(Country Music...and then some.)
www.bluemoonhighway.com

i am with you Theresa, my mind is totally boggled

Gotta Like ol George. Stays true to his roots, a real cowboy, allways uses a steel in his band, and what a band it is! All pro all the way... He shows up on time, clean and sober, never cuss's on stage and you sure get your moneys worth at a George Strait show.our band sure seems to cover a whole bunch of his tunes, and I bet most of you other bands do as well...Thanks George!!

He's so bland, though! I hate formulaic record-making!!!

He does have a good band - sort-of like Ricky Nelson in the '50s... not much of a voice, but a great band.

Strait sounds pathetic when compared to the worst Merle Haggard record.

RR

Roger,
May the bird of paradise fly up your nose,

may an elephant caress you with his toes

and may your wife be plagued with runners in

her hose!!!!

For shame! <font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Erv Niehaus on 25 June 2006 at 06:41 AM.]</p></FONT>

Somebody's high?

IMO George Strait may well be the number one class act of country music for all time and definitely the number one act from my generation of country music performers. Although I don’t know a great deal about him I have managed to keep track of a few highlights of his career that I find to be amazing.

Professional Loyalty - It is my understanding that Dean Dillon penned George’s first hit song that he recorded and it is my understanding that George has included one or more of Dillon’s songs on every album he has released since. It is also my understanding that there several members of his tour band that go back to the time when he was playing before his being signed to the MCA label. And if Erv Woolsey is still his manager then I would say George is three for three in this department.

Fan Loyalty – I have never heard of George Strait getting up on stage too drunk or drugged up to perform. I have never heard of him not being neat and clean for a performance, nor have I ever heard of him shouting profanities over the microphones at the crowd.

Like said I don’t know a great deal about George Strait, but I do remember back in around 1983 or 1984 he and his wife lost their only daughter in an automobile accident. I never heard or saw him in the media venting his anger or sorrow, nor did I hear of him seeking sympathy from his fans at concerts.

I am also impressed with the respect he has always shown toward Frank Sinatra. And like others have previously stated whenever he is interviewed he comes across as a down to Earth and humble individual.

His song selection may not always be to my choosing, but we are in agreement about 96 to 98 percent of the time on the songs he chooses to record. With my personal favorites being:

The King of Broken Hearts
She’ll Walk Away One Step at a Time

I’ll never get the call to go to work for George Strait, but if I did I would jump at the chance in a New York Minute.

I am 54 years old and I believe that George is the same age. Personally it makes me proud to know that someone from my age group is the one setting the bar when it comes to record sales and airplay in country music.
<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Kenny Burford on 25 June 2006 at 10:21 AM.]</p></FONT>

It's kind of interesting to note that the "Ace in the Hole" band preceeded George. They were giving auditions for a singer and George applied. Also, in the early days of his career, he just about gave up his singing career and decided he'd just stick to ranching and rodeoing. It was his wife who convinced him to stick it out a while longer.
A word to the wise, you deriders of George better not go to the heart of Texas, between Austin and San Antonio, and spout out about George. They wouldn't take it too kindly!

Heres OL' George back a "while ago"

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72 Professional 8&5,73 PRO II 8&4, 79/80 PRO III 8&4,Fender Steelking, Hilton pedal, USA Tele, Fender Twin,Peterson tuner,Tut Taylor Reso's and Twang to the Bone!!

<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Larry Robbins on 25 June 2006 at 02:08 PM.]</p></FONT>

With a guitarist playing a Les Paul too..... isn't that some kind of heresy in "real country music"?

I'm sorry, guys - just because someone turns up sober and doesn't insult his audience, it doesn't make him a great singer.

When these are the criteria that define 'greatness', then we're in worse trouble than I thought!

RR
(The Rolling Stones can fill up a stadium, too - but I wouldn't cross the street to see them either.)

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">quote:</font><HR><SMALL> quote:Can anyone recall another singer with over 50 #1's ?

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.</SMALL><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Conway Twitty has 41 #1 Billboard hit records(tied with the group "Alabama"), and Merle Haggard has had 38 #1 records.

For years Conway was the leader of single artist with the most #1 hit songs. That ended about five years ago, and now George Strait has had ten more number one hits than Conway.

That stage has cinder blocks under it...just like the Camaros in my yard...

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

Funny thing about chicken **** Roger, you know that white speck at the top? Well boy, you take away that dark stuff underneath and you know what, ya still got chicken ****.

Steve, good eye !

and the stage has 1 light bulb too...

just like my music room !

Roger,
I guess you've never been to one of George's concerts to hear how in tune he sings. He sings hit after hit while the audience screams. Those #1's are pretty meaningful to him and his fans!

Go King George!

No, Theresa, I haven't. There's nothing on his recordings that makes me want to, either.

Don't misunderstand me, I don't think he's bad, just mediocre. Sure, he seems to sing in tune, but that, for me, falls under the heading of what I'd expect from a professional singer - just like the sobriety issue.

It's not enough for me that a singer constantly uses a steel guitarist, either - that's his choice and I'm pleased for the guy that gets the resulting work, but it STILL doesn't make him a great singer.

The singers I admire are the ones with good chops - just like the musicians I look up to. Really good singers are a rare breed. Popular singers are a bit more commonplace.

RR

Jesse: I'm a bit slow this morning, but I don't get your point; are you agreeing with me or not?

Kenny Burford, wow, you said everything I would have said only better. In addition, your favorite GS songs are the same as mine, we are the same age and have the same name. Scary.

I'm a huge fan of George Strait's music. I remember the first time I heard "The Chair" and "Amarillo By Morning". On George's live CD and DVD, when he introduces his band, he says, "Over here on my right, playing the steel guitar, Mike Daily". Mike is the first band member he introduces. It's amazing how many number one songs George's had in his career. I also like how Paul Franklin plays on George's records. Brett, Emmons S-10, Morrell lapsteel, GFI Ultra D-10

Well, this certainly generated many more interesting responses than I was expecting. Thanks to everyone for contributing to this thread and expressing your opinion. It was amazingly civil.

That's only cuz no one yet figured out how to segue from George Strait to the Dixie Chicks...

Opps. I think you just did Jim.

I got nothing against Strait and his success but I guess I just played "The Chair" and "Amarillo by Morning" a couple thousand times too many in beer joints to ever want to hear them again.And I played with lotsa bar band singers who were about that good or a helluva lot better - Dale Watson for one.I did like "King of Broken Hearts" but of course that's a cover of Jim Lauterdale who sang it first,much better and also wrote it. Which points up the fact that Strait is a POPULAR singer and Jim Lauterdale is a truly GREAT singer AND a GREAT songwriter.
Buddy Miller - same deal and as country as it gets. Some folks like oatmeal and others prefer gumbo I reckon. -MJ-