It sucks seeing your heroes get old.
George Strait stepped away from full-time touring all the way back in 2014, when he announced that his Cowboy Rides Away tour would be his last. The tour ended with a star-studded final show in Arlington, Texas that would set the record for the largest attendance at a stadium show in the United States – a record that would be broken by George Strait himself when he took the stage at Kyle Field in Texas 10 years after he stepped back from touring.
Since his final tour, Strait has continued to play select shows to sold-out stadiums around the country. This year he’s playing five shows along with Chris Stapleton, Parker McCollum and Little Big Town, a run that kicked off this past weekend in Philadelphia and ends in California in July.
There’s no doubt that Strait could sell out more stadiums if he wanted to. Back in 2023 he sold out two nights at Nissan Stadium here in Nashville, proving that the demand for the King is still as strong as it’s ever been. But he seems happy to play a few shows a year, get a taste of what it feels like to be back out on stage in front of fans, and enjoy the rest of his time at home in Texas.
Part of what keeps him returning to the stage every year, though, seems to be the realization that he’s not going to be able to do it forever.
During his show this past weekend at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Strait took some time to thank the crowd for coming out while acknowledging that he was closer to the end of his legendary career than he is the beginning:
“I have maybe five good years to sing my songs for you folks. But hell, it’s been around 50 now and I still love it just as much as I ever did. When I hear ol’ John Michael say my name and 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. I figure a few. I do want you to know though, when 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.”
@sat_tx_cowboy George has something to say to his fans…#georgestrait #countrymusic #concert #lincolnfinancialfield #foryoupage
Of course we always know that every artist has a shelf life, and someday they’re not going to be able to get on stage or tour anymore. But when it’s somebody like the King, it’s hard to imagine never getting to see him again. He’s made such an impact on country music with his 60 #1 hits, and still draws crowds that few in country music can attract.
But one day in the not too distant future, the cowboy will have to ride away for good. And it’s just a good reminder to get out and see your favorite artists – and the legends of country music – while you still can.
