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George Strait‘s Cowboy Rides Away Tour was bound to be a hot ticket, since the country legend announced that he will be retiring from active touring after this trek.
It’s the fans last chance to see Strait perform live with a full production, since he is closing the book on touring, but not retiring overall. It was a foregone conclusion that tickets would be gobbled up quickly. But they really went faster than expected, as six of the tour markets sold out within hours of going on sale.
Even more impressive was the Lubbock, Texas show, which took only 15 minutes for all 15,431 tickets to be sold. Other sell outs include Oklahoma City, St. Paul, Albuquerque, Las Vegas and Las Cruces.Strait was moved by the show of support from his loyal legion of fans, saying, “I never expected the fans would react like this. It’s just incredible.” He continued, “I really do have the best fans in the world, and I’m looking forward to seeing you all on the road very soon.”
Go here for a complete list of dates for the Cowboy Rides Away Tour, which will feature special guest Martina McBride.
Strait will play 20 dates in 2013, then 20 more in 2014 on The Cowboy Rides Away tour.
Click on the link to see the dates/locations for the first leg of the tour and when tickets will be available for purchase.
Complete press conference of George Strait announcing his 2013-2014 Farewell Tour
George Strait announced his plans for his final two-year tour ”The Cowboy Rides Away Tour.” In a press conference from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Strait revealed the first 21 markets he will visit during the winter and spring legs of his 2013 tour. (x)
❝As far as the touring goes, I’ve decided that I’m not going to tour anymore, after these next two years. Don’t think I’m retiring, because I’m not. I’m still going to make records, as long as (Universal Music Group Nashville President and CEO) Mike (Dungan) will let me. I’m going to write. If after two years, when I’ve quit touring, if a special event comes up that I want to do, I’m going to do it.❞
George Strait announced plans for a two-year tour that will be his last. Strait will continue to record new music and said he won’t cease performing altogether. But “as far as a structured tour goes,” he said, “after the last date in 2014 that’s gonna be it for touring.”
Strait said “this was a hard decision for me to make. Don’t think I’m retiring because I’m not. I’m still gonna make records.”Strait said he’d thought about pulling off the road when he reached 60 years old. The singer, who became a grandfather earlier this year, turned 60 in May.
The Poteet native has recorded 59 No. 1 singles in his recording career, which took off in 1981 with the album “Strait Country” and the single “Unwound.”
In addition to spending more time with his grandson, Strait said he plans to work in more golfing and fishing.The first leg of his Cowboy Rides Away tour includes a June 1 stop in his backyard, San Antonio. He’ll play a March 17 date at Reliant Stadium in Houston to close out the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
THE COWBOY RIDES AWAY – 2013 TOUR DATES
JAN 18 | Lubbock, Texas | United Spirit Arena
JAN 19 | Oklahoma City, Okla. | Chesapeake Energy Arena
JAN 25 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Energy Solutions Arena
JAN 26 | Nampa, Idaho | Idaho Center
JAN 31 | Sacramento, Calif. | Power Balance Pavilion
FEB 1 | Fresno, Calif. | Save Mart Center
FEB 2 | Las Vegas, Nev. | MGM Grand Garden Arena
FEB 15 | St. Paul, Minn. | Xcel Energy Center
FEB 16 | Grand Forks, N.D. | The Alerus Center
FEB 22 | Buffalo, N.Y. | First Niagara Center
FEB 23 | Hartford, Conn. | XL Center
MAR 1 | Knoxville, Tenn. | Thompson-Boling Arena
MAR 2 | Lexington, Ky. | Rupp Arena
MAR 17 | Houston, Texas | Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo*
MAR 22 | Greenville, S.C. | Bi-Lo Center
MAR 23 | Greensboro, N.C. | Greensboro Coliseum Complex
APR 5 | Albuquerque, N.M. | The Pit
APR 6 | Las Cruces, N.M. | Pan American Center
APR 12 | N. Little Rock, Ark. | Verizon Arena
APR 13 | New Orleans, La. | New Orleans Arena
JUN 1 | San Antonio, Texas | Alamodome**
George Strait announces his swan song tour. “This is going to be a very special, emotional tour for me,” the country superstar said. “Everywhere we’re going holds fond memories and I’m looking forward to paying my respects.”
Announced at a press conference at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, “The Cowboy Rides Away Tour” is framed as a final opportunity to experience Strait’s live show. However, while Strait is saying it will be his last tour outing, it was also announced that he would continue recording and would perform “select dates around the country.”
Jan. 18 – Lubbock, Texas, United Spirit Arena
Jan. 19 – Oklahoma City, Okla., Chesapeake Energy Arena
Jan. 25 – Salt Lake City, Utah, EnergySolutions Arena
Jan. 26 – Nampa, Idaho, Idaho Center Arena
Jan. 31 – Sacramento, Calif., Power Balance Pavilion
Feb. 1 – Fresno, Calif., Save Mart Center
Feb. 2 – Las Vegas, Nev., MGM Grand Garden Arena
Feb. 15 – Saint Paul, Minn., Xcel Energy Center
Feb. 16 – Grand Forks, N.D., Alerus Center
Feb. 22 – Buffalo, N.Y., First Niagara Center
Feb. 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 & Rodeo / “RodeoHouston”
March 22 – Greenville, S.C., Bi-Lo Center
March 23 – Greensboro, N.C., Greensboro Coliseum
April 5 – Albuquerque, N.M., Pit Arena
April 6 – Las Cruces, N.M., Pan American Center
April 12 – N. Little Rock, Ark., Verizon Arena
April 13 – New Orleans, La., New Orleans ArenaMartina McBride appears on all dates.
George Strait fan club members get first dibs via presales beginning Oct. 9 at 10 a.m. local time. General onsales begin Oct. 12. Visit GeorgeStrait.com for more information.
Tune in to George Strait.com today (Sept. 26) at 12:35 Central Time to watch George’s Press Conference Live from Nashville, TN!
“THE EAGLE” (Hank Cochran / Red Lane / Mack Vickery)
performed by George Strait & Jamey Johnson
“I was introduced to Hank by my friend Dean Dillon,” says George Strait. “They wrote one of the most clever songs which I was lucky enough to get to record called ‘The Chair.’ I wish I had known Hank better, but unfortunately our paths only crossed a few times. Those times, however, were very special.
“I remember him coming to my office in Nashville one time with Dean. I was in the process of recording a Christmas album and they had just written ‘For Christ’s Sake, It’s Christmas.’ They played it live for me there and it just blew me away. I recorded it that day. ‘The Eagle’ was a song I wasn’t that familiar with, but what a message it sends, especially in this day and time. I had thought about Jamey and me doing ‘The Chair’ together, but after he played me ‘The Eagle,’ it was so obvious. I’m very proud of Jamey for doing this and am so glad I was able to be included.”
