George Strait released “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” in 1987 as the second single from his album Ocean Front Property. It was one in a long run of No. 1 singles for the Texas native. More than that, it became one of his signature songs and remains a favorite among country music fans across the country and around the world.
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Strait was the first to release the song and the only one to have a hit with it. However, he was far from the only one to play the song live. Even now, nearly 40 years after its initial release, fans will hear local bands covering it at their favorite bar. It’s a fun song with a great Western swing rhythm that makes everyone want to dance. What’s not to like?
Today, we’re going to look at some of the best live covers of the Strait classic.
1. Whitey Shafer
Let’s start with the most obvious cover of this George Strait classic. Whitey Shafer, born Sanger D. Shafer co-wrote “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” with his wife Lyndia Shafer. While Strait’s version is more popular, several non-country fans have heard Shafer’s version of the son in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Additionally, his rendition of the song appeared in Road House (1988) and the recent horror-comedy series Ash vs Evil Dead.
2. Jack Ingram
In 2009, the Academy of Country Music named George Strait its Artist of the Decade. The ACM celebrated the honor with a 2-hour CBS concert special during which several country singers took the stage to cover some of Strait’s biggest hits. Texas native, Miranda Lambert collaborator, and all-around great country singer Jack Ingram took on “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” during the tribute show.
3. Throwback
Have you ever heard a barbershop quartet sing a George Strait song? Well, you have now. The now-defunct Throwback quartet covered “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” at The Axis in Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 2017 Barbershop Harmony Society International Convention.
This isn’t just an incredibly cool and different cover. It also shows that Strait’s influence reaches far beyond the country music world.
Featured Image by Paul Natkin/WireImage
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