George Strait Delivers Spectacular Performance At Nashville Stadium Show

As soon as George Strait announced plans for a limited series of stadium shows for 2023, fans scrambled to get tickets. Since then, Strait, along with opening acts Little Big Town and Chris Stapleton, has performed before sold-out audiences in Phoenix, Milwaukee, Seattle, Denver, and now Nashville. (He has a second Nashville show scheduled for tonight, with a show set for Tampa next Saturday.)

Fans who had enjoyed music by Little Big Town and Chris Stapleton earlier in the evening, but were also grappling with intense heat, came to their feet with new energy as Strait walked on stage to the sound of “Deep in the Heart of Texas.”

And most of them continued standing throughout the entire show, singing along to the words of every song as Strait performed some of his biggest hits like “Write This Down,” “Here For a Good Time,” “Check Yes or No”, “I Can Still Make Cheyenne,” “Blue Clear Sky,” “Oceanfront Property,” and many others.

He honored police, firefighters, and other first responders with his 2019 song, “The Weight of the Badge,” noting the badge itself might feel light, but when you rest it over your heart, it gets heavy. As he sang, numerous photos of first responders flashed on the screen behind him.

After about a dozen of his own songs, Strait took time to pay tribute to the late Merle Haggard saying, “We sure do miss him.”

He launched into “Misery and Gin,” followed by the Townes Van Zandt song “Poncho and Lefty” famously recorded by Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. Midway through it, Chris Stapleton joined Strait as a duet partner with cheers resounding throughout the stadium as their voices blended on the chorus.

Stapleton stayed on stage to sing with Strait for two more songs. These were songs the Texas Troubadour recorded through the years that were written by Stapleton: “You Don’t Know What You’re Missing” and “Love’s Gonna Make It Alright.”

Later, after Stapleton’s departure, wrapped up his Haggard tribute with a rousing version of “Fighting Side of Me.”

For two solid hours, Strait performed song after song after song. Despite a heat index of close to 110 degrees, the 71-year stopped the music only briefly in the middle of the show to allow the presentation of a new home to a combat injured vet through the Military Warriors Support Foundation. Strait, an Army veteran himself, has supported the organization for years, allowing presentations in different cities during his shows. Retired Lt. General Leroy Sisco, CEO and founder of MWSF, told the crowd that on this occasion, Strait had sponsored the home himself.

And then, the music continued with Strait singing “The Chair,” “Give It Away,” “Take Me Back to Tulsa,” and more.

Strait told concert-goers people often ask his favorite of his many hit songs through the years and it’s probably “Amarillo By Morning.” The fiddle kicked off the song’s signature start and Strait followed with a beautiful rendition of his 1982 classic.

As the scheduled two hours came to an end, Strait bid farewell, waving to fans in all directions before leaving the stage. Within minutes, he and his “Ace in the Hole” band were back with an encore. Not one, not two, but five more songs ranging from “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” to a lengthy version of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues” (with highlighted solo performances by members of Strait’s exceptional band) to “The Cowboy Rides Away.”

It was a dynamic show that demonstrates why Strait is known as the King of Country Music. It’s not just the 60 top-of-the-chart singles throughout his 30-year career, the 70 million records sold, or the numerous awards including his 2006 induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Strait clearly loves the music, deeply appreciates his fans, and makes sure to graciously deliver to those who come to see him.