George Strait is being honored on Monday, October 26, with the Career Maker Award at the annual Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony. It’s a distinct and well-earned recognition for a man whose first album came out in 1981, and who has a record-breaking 60 No. 1 singles.
Strait didn’t write most of his hits. But that doesn’t mean that Strait didn’t know a hit when he heard it, which is how Strait remains one of the most successful country artists of all time.
“I don’t think my instinct for picking a good country song has changed much, if any,” Strait tells The Tennessean. “I’m still a big melody guy. I’ve said that quite a few times over the years. Great melody, great lyric, great song.”
George Strait Reflects On His Historic Career
Strait still tours, albeit less than he used to, and still releases music. But it’s been seven years since Strait had a single at radio, with “The Weight of the Badge.” Although that song failed to reach the Top 40, its predecessor, “Every Little Honky Tonk Bar,” became Strait’s final Top 20 single.
Some artists might feel frustrated by the lack of airplay, especially ones who can still sell out stadiums, but not Strait.
“We’ll never know if I could still pick a hit or not since radio won’t play anything new from me anymore,” the 74-year-old says. “That’s not a comment against country radio. I get it. They’ve been very good to me over the years, and I really appreciate that. I also thank them for still playing my old stuff. It’s just to say that those days are over.”
There are only a select few artists, of any genre, who can still captivate a crowd like Strait. But the humble singer is quick to deflect the praise, saying it’s his fans who deserve the credit for his success.
“My fans are the best in the world, and I’ve always said that,” the King of Country Music states. “Just seeing them year after year still coming to my shows is amazing to me. I just hope that they can see what that means to me while I’m on that stage singing them. Hearing them sing with me.”
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George Strait’s Future in Country Music
In 2025, Strait hinted that he might consider retirement, although not in the immediate future.
“I have maybe five good years to sing my songs for you folks,” Strait said during a concert in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “But hell, it’s been around 50 now. And I still love it just as much as I ever did … [When] I walk through those curtains and I see your smiling faces, my feet don’t touch the ground again until I walk back out and get on that bus. I don’t know how many more years I can do this, but I figure a few. I do want you to know though, I do walk off this stage, and I’m settled in far away from all of this, you won’t be far away. I’ll still hear your screams and cheers in my mind, and I will always remember you.”
Regardless of when Strait finally does decide to bid a final farewell to country music, it’s safe to say his legacy will live on for generations.
“Music has a life of its own, and I hope mine has a long one after I’m gone,” he says.
Photo Credit: Jill Trunnell