If you don't like George Strait, you just don't like country. If I could play behind anybody in the world alive today, my first choice would be Ray Price, second would be Mandy Barnett (if you don't know who that is, you owe it to yourself to find out), and third would be George Strait. But, if George Strait wanted to call me, I would make arrangements to move him to the top of the list.

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Very truly yours,
David T. Tunnell
Alesis QS8; Peavey KB/A 300; Peavey KB5; BMI U-12; Session 500

If George S. called me to play, I sure wouldn't have to put him on hold while I thought about it!! LOL....

Larry

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"Fessy" S/D 12, 8/6 Hilton Pedal, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

quote:

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I played country music for 5 years or so before I heard any of the lyrics. Think of it as a classic art form. Note selection and arrangement are the important things. The lyrics just give the vocalist some syllables to sing. They aren't meant to be modern, earth-shattering poetry.

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I bet I'll hear a song 5 or 10 times before I actually hear the lyric.

Like so many others, King George's album cuts are always my favorites. Tons of great swing tunes, lots of great C6 work.

I don't think there are 50 #1's on that CD.

I like GS a lot, but I also tend to agree that much of the music is similar and the songs can be defined as a continuation of the last song we heard.

The formula is correct though and I'm fine with it. I have learned many things by listening to and playing GS tunes .

Songs are encoded...so a computer can pick up the spin on a monitored station (usually in the top 100 markets) The total spins are recorded. This method determines, each week where the top 40 (Radio & Records) or top 75 (Billboard) songs lands on the chart. There are rules and regs...too much detail to go into here but each publication can tell you how they do it.

Todays songs, on each chart, have a proven number of spins that classify them as such. Too much is riding on the success of a song from the sales perspective to the success or continued success of the artist including booking, concert sales, management etc...

Willie was mentioned, and bashed. Different strokes for different folks. They're so different. George made his mark staying within a (safe) formula that worked for him. Willie made a mark as a great songwriter who wasn't afraid to stretch a bit. I just wish he had used steel on the bulk of his work, like George did. Historically, I think Willie will get the bigger nod overall...long hair and all...which bothers some people to the point of having a spasm. Willie will get the obligatory nod from Nashville, like Johnny, Waylon and others who sought to work outside the system. My opinion of course.

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Mike
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Blue Moon Highway
(Country Music...and then some.)
www.bluemoonhighway.com

He does have a good band - sort-of like Ricky Nelson in the '50s... not much of a voice, but a great band.

Strait sounds pathetic when compared to the worst Merle Haggard record.

may an elephant caress you with his toes

and may your wife be plagued with runners in

her hose!!!!

For shame!

[This message was edited by Erv Niehaus on 25 June 2006 at 06:41 AM.]

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Jim.Hall
MSA D12 3&4 several 6 string Guitars,2 Fiddles and a Kazoo.

Professional Loyalty - It is my understanding that Dean Dillon penned George’s first hit song that he recorded and it is my understanding that George has included one or more of Dillon’s songs on every album he has released since. It is also my understanding that there several members of his tour band that go back to the time when he was playing before his being signed to the MCA label. And if Erv Woolsey is still his manager then I would say George is three for three in this department.

Fan Loyalty – I have never heard of George Strait getting up on stage too drunk or drugged up to perform. I have never heard of him not being neat and clean for a performance, nor have I ever heard of him shouting profanities over the microphones at the crowd.

Like said I don’t know a great deal about George Strait, but I do remember back in around 1983 or 1984 he and his wife lost their only daughter in an automobile accident. I never heard or saw him in the media venting his anger or sorrow, nor did I hear of him seeking sympathy from his fans at concerts.

I am also impressed with the respect he has always shown toward Frank Sinatra. And like others have previously stated whenever he is interviewed he comes across as a down to Earth and humble individual.

His song selection may not always be to my choosing, but we are in agreement about 96 to 98 percent of the time on the songs he chooses to record. With my personal favorites being:

The King of Broken Hearts
She’ll Walk Away One Step at a Time

I’ll never get the call to go to work for George Strait, but if I did I would jump at the chance in a New York Minute.

I am 54 years old and I believe that George is the same age. Personally it makes me proud to know that someone from my age group is the one setting the bar when it comes to record sales and airplay in country music.

[This message was edited by Kenny Burford on 25 June 2006 at 10:21 AM.]

Heres OL' George back a "while ago"

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72 Professional 8&5,73 PRO II 8&4, 79/80 PRO III 8&4,Fender Steelking, Hilton pedal, USA Tele, Fender Twin,Peterson tuner,Tut Taylor Reso's and Twang to the Bone!!

[This message was edited by Larry Robbins on 25 June 2006 at 02:08 PM.]

When these are the criteria that define 'greatness', then we're in worse trouble than I thought!

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quote:Can anyone recall another singer with over 50 #1's ?

If I'm not mistaken, both Conway Twitty and Merle Haggard topped 50 #1's. I think Conway might have edged Merle by 1, but Hag's still recording. By nown, George must surely be the all-time leader in that category, or will be soon.

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Conway Twitty has 41 #1 Billboard hit records(tied with the group "Alabama"), and Merle Haggard has had 38 #1 records.

For years Conway was the leader of single artist with the most #1 hit songs. That ended about five years ago, and now George Strait has had ten more number one hits than Conway.

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http://home.comcast.net/~steves_garage

and the stage has 1 light bulb too...

Don't misunderstand me, I don't think he's bad, just mediocre. Sure, he seems to sing in tune, but that, for me, falls under the heading of what I'd expect from a professional singer - just like the sobriety issue.

It's not enough for me that a singer constantly uses a steel guitarist, either - that's his choice and I'm pleased for the guy that gets the resulting work, but it STILL doesn't make him a great singer.

The singers I admire are the ones with good chops - just like the musicians I look up to. Really good singers are a rare breed. Popular singers are a bit more commonplace.

RR

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Jim.Hall
MSA D12 3&4 several 6 string Guitars,2 Fiddles and a Kazoo.

(Off topic, but another thing that packs the dance floor is to play "I Fall To Pieces".