Country music fans may have trouble remembering a time when George Strait wasn’t the undisputed king of the genre. The “Amarillo by Morning” hitmaker has sent 60 singles to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart throughout the course of his illustrious career. However, his beginnings were surprisingly humble. With Veterans Day just around the corner, the multi-platinum artist is opening up about his time singing in the U.S. Army.
Videos by American Songwriter
George Strait Served His Country
Born May 18, 1952, in Poteet, Texas, George Strait enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1971 after graduating from Pearsall High School. He served four years as an infantryman and achieved the rank of corporal before his discharge in 1975.
In fact, Strait’s first foray into country music came during his time in the Army. In high school, he performed in a rock and roll garage band called the Stoics, where he and his bandmates drew inspiration from British Invasion bands like the Beatles.
All the songs are great 👏🎸🤠 pic.twitter.com/KpfM5dAgdp
— Marina Obando (@MarinaObando2) November 7, 2024
“The last year I was in the Army is when I started singing country music, and the general, the post command in general, started bands out of military personnel,” Strait told 107.9 Coyote Country. “And I got the job as the singer in the country band. And so that’s what I did. I sang country music for the Army.”
[RELATED: Watch George Strait Perform His Debut Single in Front of a Record-Breaking Crowd in 2014]
The “Fool Hearted Memory” singer enrolled at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) after his discharge from the Army. There, he joined a band called Stoney Ridge, which he quickly renamed Ace in the Hole. They remained with him during his solo career as his backup and touring band.
Why Isn’t Strait a Member of the Grand Ole Opry?
Despite his mountain of career accomplishments and association with “traditional country,” George Strait hasn’t had much experience with that most traditional of country venues, the Grand Ole Opry.
The “Check Yes or No” singer has only taken the Opry stage once in 1982, while promoting his sophomore album Strait From the Heart. No record of his performance seems to exist online.
Grand Ole Opry historian Byron Fay told Saving Country Music that George Strait’s lack of association with the Opry likely had more to do with logistics than any bad blood. He has spent much of his career living in Texas, which complicates regular Opry appearances.
Featured image by Tammie Arroyo/Shutterstock
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.