Artist Of The Day: George Strait

• George Strait enlisted in the Army in 1971. While stationed in Hawaii, he began playing with the Army-sponsored band Rambling Country. He left the Army in 1975 and enrolled in Southwest Texas State University at San Marcos, where he formed the Ace In The Hole band.
  
• George’s first solo single, “Unwound,” was released in 1981 and climbed into the Top 10. His first No. 1 was 1982’s “Fool Hearted Memories,” from the movie “The Soldier.”
  
• Strait’s “Troubadour” album, released in 2008, debuted atop The Billboard 200 and spawned his highest-debuting single, “I Saw God Today.” The chart-topping “River of Love” marked his 80th Top 10 single. The album won a Grammy for Best Country Album. The Academy of Country Music also named him Artist of the Decade in 2009.
  
• “Twang,” Strait’s 26th studio album, surfaced in August 2009 and took over the No. 1 spot. The first single, “Living For The Night,” peaked at No. 2.
  
• George Strait was the top grossing country tour in North America in 2010 and 14th overall, according to Pollstar. Strait toured with Reba McEntire and Lee Ann Womack in support of “Twang.” The tour grossed $41.6 million for 31 shows with an average ticket price of $84.30 and selling 493,475 tickets.
  
• George Strait is the co-owner of the 250-acre Tapatio Springs Golf Resort and Conference Center in Boerne, Texas. Strait recently unveiled the newly-renovated 18-hole golf course and resort that includes a 118-room hotel.
  
• Strait saw his 39th studio album, “Here for a Good Time,” hit No. 1 on the Country Album chart. The album’s title track became his 58th No. 1 hit. Strait co-wrote seven of the 11 tracks with his son Bubba and the legendary songwriter Dean Dillon.
  
• George Strait and Martina McBride will kick off a tour together in January.
  
• Official website: www.georgestrait.com