"THIS is the night country music took up permanent residence in the John Paul Jones arena!" the announcer shouted. Fifteen thousand people roared. Then George Strait walked out onto the floor, and country met its king. From under that brown cowboy hat, Strait's smile seemed brighter than all the thousands of camera flashes put together.
With a nice Texas tan and a charmingly boyish grin, Strait looked much younger than his 54 years. Or perhaps it was the low brim and the checkered white collar he was hiding behind. On the massive video screens overhead, just a few hints of grey hair were visible, but did anyone really mind? The women in the audience certainly didn't.
Anybody who knows anything about country will tell you the man is a living legend. Recently inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame last year, Strait has sold over 65 million records, including 35 gold albums. He was awarded the National Medal of Arts and has over 50 number one singles.
Strait played 27 songs Friday night, which would be a struggle for anyone else, but just comes natural to him. Strait and his Ace in the Hole band churned out classic after classic. "Run" and "Amarillo" were back-to-back, which, for any real fan, was inconceivable. Thank goodness there were paramedics on call, because my heart rate was through the roof. "Baby, run! Cut a path across the blue sky / straight in a straight line, you can't get here fast enough," he sang heartbreakingly, "can't" just on the verge of "cain't." And when the guitar intro faded for us to hear his voice in "Amarillo," it was as smooth as the recording.
After almost 30 years in the music business, Strait has amassed a repertoire that ranges from ballads to hoe-downs, and everywhere in between. The crowd loved the classic "I Can Still Make Cheyenne" just as much as they cheered for the upbeat "She'll Leave You With A Smile."
The lighting crew did a great job, "Cheyenne" fading to complete black except for one stunning light on Strait's golden yellow guitar. The video screens were put to good use with the patriotic "Texas," the red, white and blue proudly waving when he sang, "I wouldn't be an American / if it wasn't for Texas."
Strait also played songs from his newest album, It Just Comes Natural, including the title track, which is popular on the airwaves these days. Also new was the catchy "Wrapped," where he sings punchily, "I see your face and then I'm / wrapped around / your pretty little finger again!" The best new song was "Give It Away," a sad story about a breakup that leaves the guy with a heart full of love that he can't give away. "That big four-poster king-size bed where so much love was made / just give it away," the ex-wife in the song says. Yeah right, as if anybody would pass up making love to George Strait in a king-size bed.
The concert was held "in the round," meaning the square stage was in the center of the arena, and Strait went around from corner to corner, so that every section of the sold-out crowd had an equal opportunity to see his face, and also his butt in jeans. What is truly amazing is that Strait is the most G-rated, traditional, inoffensive, clean-cut country artist out there, yet he is still a huge sex symbol. He turns plain into irresistible. He stands still with his guitar, puts his lips on the mike and the crowd goes wild.
It was a very generous performance, with a three-song encore, and hand-shaking all the way to and from the stage. Strait loved the crowd, and they loved him back.
With so many number ones, there's only time for so much, but it was still disappointing to not have heard some of the great hits. "All My Ex's Live In Texas" was noticeably absent, as was "Where The Sidewalk Ends," "Write This Down" and "Oceanfront Property." The shape and size of the arena was also off-putting, because it creates an anonymous atmosphere. There wasn't much conversation going on within sections. Also, unless you had a floor seat, the other people in your section were likely to ask you to sit down so they could see. Seriously, who sits during Amarillo?
It is still shocking that The Jack was able to book such a huge name. Maybe that announcer was right, and country music is here to stay. George Strait is a good indication, but I'll believe it when I see Toby and Brooks & Dunn.
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