CountryMusicHallofFame

George Strait's Comments:

– Career Achieved National Prominence Between 1975 and the Present

“I’m very honored of course, to say the least. I’ve tried to think of something good to say. So many things have happened in my career. I get asked sometimes ‘What’s the highlight of my career?’ because I’ve been doing it for so long, and I always have a hard time coming up with something, because so many good things have happened. But I think this is, without a doubt, the most special thing that’s ever happened and I don’t know how anything could top getting put in the Hall of Fame. It’s just the very highest honor that you can get in this business.”

“Actually, I was surprised. I don’t see how anybody could not be surprised. Early in my career it never crossed my mind actually. I guess later on in your career you start thinking about it and wondering if you could get in, but I don’t see how anybody could just figure they’re going to get in. It’s just too special an honor. Of course, I wanted it, but you just can’t expect it. It’s an overwhelming honor. It’s like nothing else that’s happened to me in my 20 some odd years in the business.”

“After I hung up after talking with (CMA Chief Strategic Officer) Ed (Benson), I did kind of have to chuckle because I’m thinking, ‘Well, don’t people usually get this after their career’s over?’ I’m hoping this is no sign of that because I still feel like I’ve got a lot of good years left in me. I still enjoy everything and I’ve got a new record that’s going to come out in October that I feel like is the best record I’ve ever done since 1981, so I’m really looking forward to that coming out. And I’ve already got tour dates set for next year so I’m still rolling.”

Strait Thought That Hall Of Fame Call Was A Joke?

Last week, the Country Music Association announced that George Strait had been eleced into the Country Music Hall Of Fame in Nashville, he got the news, he thought someone was playing a prank on him!

"When I first found out I was going to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, I kinda thought it was a joke at first," says Strait. "When I finally figured out it wasn't a joke and it was Ed Benson from the CMA calling me, I really didn't know what to say. It's such a big honor, it's something that's the highest honor they can give you as an artist in this business." Then he chuckled, noting "I also kinda thought, 'Well, I'm too young for that."

CMA Announces Newest Members of Country Music Hall of Fame

Harold Bradley, Sonny James and George Strait to be Formally Inducted During 'The 40th Annual CMA Awards' Nov. 6, 2006 on the ABC Television Network

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 30, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- The Country Music Association has announced that influential musician/producer Harold Bradley, legendary singer Sonny James and multi-award-winning entertainer George Strait, will become the newest members of the coveted Country Music Hall of Fame. Formal induction for the artists will take place during "The 40th Annual CMA Awards," which will be broadcast live on the ABC Television Network, Monday, Nov. 6 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) from the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tenn.

Bradley will be inducted in the "Recording and/or Touring Musician Active Prior to 1980" category, which is awarded every third year in a rotation with the "Career Achieved National Prominence Prior to World War II" and "Non-Performer" categories. James will be inducted in the "Career Achieved National Prominence Between World War II and 1975" category. Strait will be the second artist inducted in the "Career Achieved National Prominence Between 1975 and the Present" category, which was created last

year.

All inductees are chosen by CMA's Hall of Fame Panel of Electors, consisting of more than 300 anonymous voters appointed by the CMA Board of Directors. Bradley, James and Strait will increase membership in the coveted Country Music Hall of Fame from 95 to 98 inductees. "The highest musical honor achievable for a Country Music artist and musician is to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and these are all outstanding and highly deserving individuals," said Tammy Genovese,

CMA Chief Operating Officer. "Harold Bradley has been instrumental in creating 'The Nashville Sound' since 1946, becoming the most recorded guitar player in history. Sonny James recorded an incredible streak of hit records for more than 25 years. And George Strait, whom nearly every Country artist on the charts today cites as a major influence, continues to create great music, having placed at least one single in the Top 10 every year since 1981.

"It is with great pride that CMA will induct these three exceptional artists and musicians into the Country Music Hall of Fame, where they will join an intimate yet influential group of performers and industry veterans who have made lasting contributions to Country Music over the last century."

George Strait -- Born May 18, 1952 in Poteet, Texas, and raised in nearby Pearsall, Strait was the son of a junior high school teacher, who owned and operated a ranch that had been in his family for nearly 100

years. Growing up he spent his weekdays in town and his weekends on the ranch outside Big Wells, Texas. Although he joined a garage rock band as a teenager, his musical preference was traditional Country. After graduating high school in the late '60s and briefly attending college, Strait married his high school sweetheart Norma. Enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1971, he moved to Hawaii two years later where he began playing Country Music with an Army-sponsored group called Rambling Country, which also played some dates off-base under the name Santee.

After leaving the Army in 1975, Strait returned to Texas and enrolled in Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, where he graduated in 1979 with a degree in agriculture. While there he formed his Country band, Ace in the Hole. The band recorded a few albums for an independent label in Dallas in the late '70s, but had little success. In 1979, Strait became friends with Erv Woolsey, a Texas club owner and former MCA Records employee. Woolsey invited MCA executives to watch Strait perform and in 1980 Strait was signed to MCA Records with Woolsey as his manager.

Strait's debut single "Unwound" from his first album Strait Country was released in 1981 and became a Top 10 hit. Astonishingly, Strait has had at least one single hit the Top 10 every year since. With songs including "If You're Thinking You Want a Stranger (There's One Coming Home)," "Fool Hearted Memory," "Amarillo By Morning," "You Look So Good in Love," "The Fireman," "The Chair," "Nobody in His Right Mind Would've Left Her," "Ocean Front Property," "All My Ex's Live in Texas," "You Know Me Better Than That," "If I Know Me" and "Love Without End, Amen," among others, Strait established a reputation for consistently recording songs influenced by honkytonk and Western swing traditions. He also began co-producing his albums from 1984 onward, starting with his fourth album, Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind.

Strait maintained his family's ranching traditions as well as his love of team roping by launching the George Strait Team Roping Classic in 1983. The annual event has grown to become among the largest and most prestigious open ropings on the circuit, regularly hosting the most prestigious names in the sport. Strait, who is a card-carrying member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, remains an avid outdoorsman and an expert

horseman.

In 1992, Strait landed the lead role of the movie "Pure Country," which brought him attention from new audiences. His first box set, the four-disc Strait Out of the Box, was released in 1995 and within a year had become one of the five biggest-selling box sets in popular music history. He continued to record hit songs including "I Cross My Heart," "Carrying Your Love With Me," "Blue Clear Sky," "I Just Want To Dance With You," "Check Yes or No," "Write This Down," "She'll Leave You With A Smile," "The Best Day" and many more. 50 Number One Hits was released in 2004, compiling the rare achievement of his first 50 No. 1 songs (as well as his 51st, "I Hate Everything") on two CDs. The project was a strong seller, eventually certified as 6x multi-Platinum by the RIAA.

In addition to conquering radio and sales charts, Strait became one of Country Music's top concert attractions of all time, with his appearances selling out auditoriums and frequently setting new attendance records. From 1997 to 2001, he assembled the "George Strait Country Music Festival," a day-long musical event, which packed stadiums around the nation. Each year featured an amazing lineup of Country Music artists taking the stage throughout the day before Strait closed the show each night, including Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw and more. The huge and enthusiastic crowds served as a launching pad for the young artists who later headlined tours of their own. Strait continues to tour annually, selling out venues and thrilling audiences nationwide.

As of 2006, 25 years after releasing his debut single, Strait remains a dominant force in Country Music with sales exceeding 62 million albums. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has certified Strait with 13 multi-Platinum, 30 Platinum and 33 Gold albums. According to the RIAA, he has received more Gold albums than any other artist in Country Music, and is currently tied with Frank Sinatra in eighth place for the most Gold albums of any artist in any musical genre. Strait has received 16 CMA Awards, including two consecutive Entertainer of the Year nods (1989, 1990); five Male Vocalist of the Year Awards (1985, 1986, 1996, 1997, 1998); and three Album of the Year Awards (1985 - Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind; 1996 -Blue Clear Sky; 1997 - Carrying Your Love With Me). His most recent CMA Award was in 2005 for Musical Event of the Year for his performance with Lee Ann Womack on the song "Good News, Bad News."

SOURCE: The Country Music Association

George Strait Receives Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 7, 2007 – Country Music Icon George Strait was honored as one of the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame. The prestigious ceremony, which has become one of Nashville’s most cherished events, was hosted by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Other honorees included legendary guitarist Harold Bradley and enduring country-pop hitmaker Sonny James.

The Sunday, May 6, event included more than a dozen veteran Hall of Fame members who gathered to welcome the 2006 inductees in an emotional ceremony filled with music, memories and warm embraces—as well as plenty of tears and laughter.

The medallions were presented to the new inductees by longtime friends who preceded them into the Hall of Fame. George Jones presented Strait with his medallion and spoke of Strait's dedication to traditional country music and to his wife, Norma Strait, and son, Bubba Strait. Those performing songs toasting his career included Dean Dillon, Alan Jackson and Lee Ann Womack.

Among the Country Music Hall of Fame members attending were Alabama's Jeff Cook, Teddy Gentry and Randy Owen; Bill Anderson; Jimmy Dickens; Phil Everly of the Everly Brothers; George Jones; the Jordanaires' Louis Nunley, Gordon Stoker and Ray Walker; Brenda Lee; Charlie Louvin; Jo Walker-Meador; Frances Preston; Porter Wagoner; and E.W. "Bud" Wendell.

The evening began at 5 p.m. as the three honorees arrived to walk the red carpet into a reception in the Curb Conservatory, followed by other Hall of Fame members, where they enjoyed catered food and cocktails while visiting with friends. At 7 p.m., guests moved into the 213-seat Ford Theater, where they were called to order with the western swing of Bob Wills, on a recording from the Museum's Bob Pinson Recorded Sound Collection. Other guests viewed Strait's back-to-roots sound and his stoic cowboy image. Now that Strait has more #1 hits than any other country singer, Young cited how the singer had raised the bar for all country artists—while doing things his way.

The musical tribute began with songwriter Dean Dillon, who has had more Strait cuts than anyone else. He sang "The Chair," the first of many # 1 hits he's created for the Texas star. Lee Ann Womack then offered a powerful version of "The King of Broken Hearts," a Jim Lauderdale song that Strait recorded on the multi-platinum Pure Country soundtrack.

After that, Alan Jackson strode out from the side of the stage, thanking Strait for his down-to-earth style and humble manner, before offering a romping take on "The Fireman," a song Jackson first sang while working his way up through nightclubs in Tennessee and Georgia.

George Jones then came up to introduce Strait and give him his medallion. The legendary Hall of Fame member said, "Few artists achieve what George Strait has." He also recalled their first meeting in the early eighties, when Strait performed at the Jones Country theme park and then joined Jones at home to watch a football game. "Now he's King George," Jones said. "And he never changed from being the shy, quiet kid from Texas. He still rides horses and gets to be a cowboy. He stayed married to the same woman, Norma, for 35 years. Hot damn, that's good, you know!"

Strait accepted his medallion, telling Jones, "You're the king, I don't care what you say." Quickly growing emotional, Strait choked up between sentences. "From the day I started singing country music, I dreamed of getting into the Country Music Hall of Fame," he said. "It's the ultimate achievement you can have in this business, so that's what I wanted. I'm truly honored and blessed today to be in the Country Music Hall of Fame."

The evening ended with the honorees, performers and members of the Country Music Hall of Fame standing on stage performing "Will the Circle Be Unbroken?" Afterward, they enjoyed dessert and coffee in the Curb Conservatory. Attendees embraced each other with goodbyes, speaking of family—both biological and musical—before promising to see each other again at next year's ceremony.

The event was taped for future broadcast by the Great American Country cable network and 650 AM WSM.

Standard Time==

Country Music Hall of Fame honors George Strait, Harold Bradley, Sonny James

Monday, May 7, 2007 – Country Music Hall of Fame members guitarist Harold Bradley, country-pop hitmaker Sonny James and current superstar George Strait were honored Sunday at the hall by fellow hall of famers with the receipt of a medal commemorating their election to the hall.

Chairman of the Board E.W. "Bud" Wendell described the event as "the annual family reunion of the Country Music Hall of Fame."

The medallions were presented to the new inductees by longtime friends who preceded them into the Hall of Fame: Brenda Lee, who was 10 years old when she first worked with Bradley, had to get on her tip-toes to place the honor around the guitarist's neck; Porter Wagoner recalled touring with "the great Southern Gentleman" James and the many good times they'd shared; and George Jones spoke of Strait's dedication to traditional country music and to his wife, Norma Strait, and son, Bubba Strait.

Performers included Trace Adkins, Jimmy Capps, Charlie Daniels, Dean Dillon, Vince Gill, Dan Huff, Alan Jackson, George "Goober" Lindsey, Brent Mason, Reba McEntire, Randy Owen, Connie Smith, Ray Stevens, Lee Ann Womack and the Southern Gentleman vocal group (Lin Bown, Jack Galloway, Glenn Huggins and Garry Robble).

Backing the performers were musical director John Hobbs on piano and the Medallion All-Star Band, featuring drummer Eddie Bayers, fiddler Stuart Duncan, pedal steel guitarist Paul Franklin, harmony singers Wes Hightower and Marty Slayton, guitarists Mason and Russ Pahl and bassist Michael Rhodes.

Country Music Hall of Fame members attending were Alabama's Jeff Cook, Teddy Gentry and Randy Owen; Bill Anderson; Jimmy Dickens; Phil Everly of the Everly Brothers; Jones; the Jordanaires' Louis Nunley, Gordon Stoker and Ray Walker; Lee; Charlie Louvin; Jo Walker-Meador; Frances Preston; Wagoner and Wendell.

Hall Director Young served as master of ceremonies, welcoming guests and addressing the accomplishments of the new Hall of Fame members. "In striving to meet the high standards set by their musical predecessors, Harold Bradley, Sonny James and George Strait have clearly used the specifics of their individual life experiences to create timely and timeless music, music that speaks to the human condition, and thus music that fosters solidarity amongst all peoples," Young said. "All three men have worked the better part of their lifetimes to get where they are tonight."

As he has for the last four years, Country Music Hall of Fame President Gill opened the ceremony with a hymn, choosing "Drifting Too Far from the Shore" and dedicating it to the late Brian Williams, a former member of the Hall of Fame Board of Officers and Trustees, who had passed away since the 2006 medallion evening.

Young called Bradley "the dean of Nashville session guitarists" and "the most recorded guitarist in history." Young told of Bradley's beginnings, from his high-school gig as a touring member of Ernest Tubb's Texas Troubadours to his countless sessions backing a litany of fellow Hall of Fame members, including Bill Anderson, Patsy Cline, Red Foley, Lefty Frizzell, Don Gibson, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Webb Pierce, Conway Twitty and many others.

Charlie Daniels, with Gill on Bradley's trademark "tic tac" bass guitar, performed Tubb's "Thanks a Lot," followed by Adkins, using his deep baritone to strong effect on Twitty's "Hello Darlin'" with support from Capps in the Bradley role, on rhythm guitar and the rest of the Medallion band. McEntire came on stage and recalled her 1970s sessions with Bradley, when the singer, then a newcomer, would pepper the guitarist with questions about Cline, one of her heroes. She then drew gasps of recognition with her stunning rendition of Cline's first number one hit, "I Fall to Pieces," with Brent Mason on tic tac bass guitar.

Bradley, in accepting his medallion, said, "Surely God has had his hand on my shoulders all my life," while sharing his honor with his family. Bradley choked up when speaking of his brother Owen, 10 years his senior. "Here I am, getting to go into the Hall of Fame with him," he said. "It's very emotional for me."

Bradley closed his segment by performing the instrumental "Lara's Theme" with the Medallion All-Star Band.

Sonny James grew up on a family farm where crops were worked by mules and horses and the home was lit by coal-oil lamps. As a child, the young Jimmy Loden (his stage name Sonny James would come later) performed with the Loden Family on radio stations in Knoxville, Tenn., and Raleigh, N.C., and later as a solo artist in Memphis and Shreveport.

His friend Chet Atkins introduced him to Ken Nelson at Capitol Records, who became his producer. The 1957 hit "Young Love," recorded four years into his career, rocketed him to stardom. Ten years later, in 1967, he released 16 consecutive number 1 hits.

As a musical tribute, Connie Smith performed a "A World of Our Own," joined by Dann Huff on acoustic guitar and James' longtime partners, the Southern Gentlemen, on harmony vocals. Owen followed, performing a doo-wop version of "You're the Only World I Know" with the Southern Gentleman.

Gill sang a beautiful "Young Love," then Ray Stevens drew howls of laughter when he walked on stage in a buffalo headdress, complete with horns and a Native American buckskin outfit to sing James' 1969 hit, "Running Bear." Midway through, Lindsey fueled more laughter by walking from the side stage dressed as "Little White Dove," the object of the singer's affection in the lyrics.

James acknowledged his family and the band who traveled with him, including bassist Milo Liggett, who was in the audience, and the Southern Gentleman harmony singers. "They came up with a sound for me, and when you put those guys together, it really made my music come alive," James said. "It was an identifying sound. It's been such a pleasure working with all these guys."

Strait played rock in high school before delving deeper into country music at a military base in Hawaii while serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Young spoke of Strait's fateful connection with club owner and promotion man Erv Woolsey, who would manage him for his entire career and how the Texan had to overcome a bias against traditional music to get his start in Nashville.

The musical tribute began with songwriter Dillon, who has had more Strait cuts than anyone else. He sang "The Chair," the first of many number one hits he's created for the Texas star. Womack then offered a powerful version of "The King of Broken Hearts," a Jim Lauderdale song that Strait recorded on the multi-platinum "Pure Country" soundtrack.

Jackson strode out from the side of the stage, thanking Strait for his down-to-earth style and humble manner, before offering a romping take on "The Fireman," a song Jackson first sang while working his way up through nightclubs in Tennessee and Georgia.

Jones then came up to introduce Strait and give him his medallion. The legendary Hall of Fame member said, "Few artists achieve what George Strait has." He also recalled their first meeting in the early eighties, when Strait performed at the Jones Country theme park and then joined Jones at home to watch a football game. "Now he's King George," Jones said. "And he never changed from being the shy, quiet kid from Texas. He still rides horses and gets to be a cowboy. He stayed married to the same woman, Norma, for 35 years. Hot damn, that's good, you know!"

The evening ended with the honorees, performers and members of the Country Music Hall of Fame standing on stage performing "Will the Circle Be Unbroken?"