George Strait is getting ready to ride into the sunset, at least on his tour bus.
The superstar that keeps the traditional country music flame burning announced Wednesday at a news conference at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum that he will head out on his The Cowboy Rides Away tour next year. Strait will play 21 dates in 2013, then 20 more in 2014 to put a finish on a stellar 30 plus year live career.
Strait says he wants to go out while still in fighting form but leaves the door open for a comeback. “I always had it in the back of my mind when I turned 60 that it might be time to start thinking about it. I also never wanted to show up for a tour when nobody came. I believe I made the right decision. Only time will tell. In 2016, I might say ‘What a dummy!” If that’s the case, maybe I’ll reconsider, but at this particular time, I’m pretty sure I won’t.”
Strait will start and end the tour in his home state. The first leg will kick off Jan. 18 in Lubbock, Texas, and end June 1 in San Antonio. Dates for 2014 will be announced later. Four-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Martina McBride will open for the tour in 2013.
I’ve ner see Strait before, but I am a fan. looks like I need to pony up this time around.
The Cowboy Rides Again — 2013 Tour Dates
January 18:Â Lubbock, Texas (United Spirit Arena)
January 19:Â Â Oklahoma City, Okla. (Chesapeake Energy Arena)
January 25:Â Â Salt Lake City, Utah (Energy Solutions Arena)
January 26:Â Â Nampa, Idaho (Idaho Center)
January 31:Â Â Sacramento, Calif. (Power Balance Pavilion)
February 1:  Fresno, Calif. Save Marcht Center)
February 2:  Las Vegas, Nev. MGM Grand Garden Arena)
February 15:  St. Paul, Minn. Xcel Energy Center)
February 16:  Grand Forks, N.D. The Alerus Center)
February 22:Â Â Buffalo, N.Y. First Niagara Center)
February 23:  Hartford, Conn. XL Center)
March 1:  Knoxville, Tenn. Thompson-Boling Arena)
March 2:  Lexington, Ky. Rupp Arena)
March 17:  Houston, Texas (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo)*
March 22:Â Â Greenville, S.C. (Bi-Lo Center)
March 23:Â Â Greensboro, N.C. (Greensboro Coliseum Complex)
April 5:Â Â Albuquerque, N.M. (The Pit)
April 6:  Las Cruces, N.M. (Pan American Center)
April 12:Â Â N. Little Rock, Ark. (Verizon Arena)
April 13:Â Â New Orleans, La. (New Orleans Aren)
June 1:Â Â San Antonio, Texas (Alamodome)
bad news. i love king george. i hope he at least does another album. i guess he’s gonna just walk away like he did in that movie ‘pure country’ haha
ha! True, i think he’s earned his time off. We can’t miss him unless he goes away.
George Strait is a true entertainer and the greatest country music STAR to ever take the stage. With his number one hits now well into the 50’s and counting, there would be a better chance of no wars happening in the world before a George Strait booked tour that no one showed up to see would occur. Give a listen to songs like ” The Chair” or “It ain’t cool to be crazy about you” or “Nobody in his right mind would have left her” for some TRUE and REAL George Strait perspective. Mr Strait has no plans to stop making new music so I am comforted in the fact that I can look forward to his next album. If while reading this comment you find yourself to be one of those haters that think that George Strait in his announcment of his last tour is just another guy wanting some free publicity and feels that The King should just take his millions and retire, then you can go on and get your ass outta here. GO ON, GET YOUR ASS OUTTA HERE. !!! God Bless George Strait and his family. Long live the KING.
Paul Sepeda – Toledo/Oregon Ohio
Paul, thanks for the thoughtful comment. I couldn’t agree more. My dad wrote “Gone As A Girl Can Get,” and so Strait always felt like part of the family.