George Strait returns to Atlanta, Ga. tonight to play a show at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Other acts on the lineup include Chris Stapleton, Chris Janson and Ashley McBryde. Tonight’s show marks the first time Strait has played a show in Atlanta since The Cowboy Rides Away Tour in 2014.
He recently played his 21st and 22nd sold-out shows at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Strait began playing “Strait to Vegas” shows at the venue in 2016. The series of shows will continue when Strait will play shows on Aug. 23, Aug. 24, Dec. 6 and Dec. 7. Strait is also playing at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on June 8 and at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas on Nov. 22 and 23.
Strait released a new album yesterday called Honky Tonk Time Machine on MCA Nashville. The album has 13 tracks, eight of which were co-written by Strait. Ten of the songs on the album were written by Strait’s son, Bubba Strait and “God and Country Music” features Strait’s grandson, Harvey. The album also features a duet with Willie Nelson, which is appropriately titled “Sing One With Willie.”
Often called the “King George,” Strait has had 60 number 1 hits, which is more than any other artist in any genre. He has had 33 Platinum or multi-Platinum-selling albums during his career, which is more than any country artist and ranking third across all genres behind only The Beatles and Elvis Presley. Strait, who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006, is the only act in history to have a Top 10 hit every year for over 30 years.
Rick Amburgey is an experienced journalist and country music fan. He can be contacted on Twitter at @ViewsCountry.