Biography of George Strait

The fact that People magazine named George Strait one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world might mislead you: he can still sing pure country, as witnessed by his twenty-two #1 singles, ten gold albums, and four platinum. On the debit side, he may have unwittingly started the "hat act" fad, singers with Stetsons as big as (and sometimes bigger than) their voices. But from his Strait Country debut album in 1981, country listeners have found pleasure in his rich, unadorned voice and his straightahead delivery. Neither his songs nor his style is varnished or gussied-up, a breath of fresh air in modern country. He reintroduced twin fiddles and a tasteful steel guitar accompaniment, perfectly matching his voice and his Western-swing style. He's earned his rewards, including Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year (1985) for Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind. If you like listening to Merle Haggard, and you ought to, give George Strait a serious listen. ~ David Vinopal