Strait delivers blockbuster performance

ALBUQUERQUE, March 13, 2008

There is no doubt George Strait is a true gem, as any of the 18,000 fans jamming the Pit Thursday night would attest.

Strait spent nearly two hours presenting his greatest hits - he's had so many of them, it takes that long (28 songs, if you're counting).

But he opened with an old Western swing standard, "Deep in the Heart of Texas," that has become his entrance theme.

Strait dominated the stage with his perfectly creased Wrangler jeans, black Resistol hat, and acoustic guitar.

The stage was located at one end of the arena, not his usual in-the-round stage setup. He worked the crowd with mastery, engaging nearby fans with gestures such as a pointed finger, while overhead video screens let even the most distant fans enjoy his performance.

After bowing, smiling and posing for a few moments for the lucky ones who were down front with cameras, Strait and his Ace in the Hole band kicked into "Honk If You Honky Tonk."

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"Well, I got a bumper sticker on the back of my truck, there ain't another like it 'cause I had it made up, I can tell who's behind me they give themselves away, lay on their horn when they read this phrase," Strait sang in a baritone voice that was shadowed by deep voices singing along in the audience.

"Honk if you honky tonk, don't if you don't, but if you do don't you love to honk if you honky tonk," he sang with the audience.

The next song, "Ocean Front Property," had fans roaring in delighted recognition after the first few notes. He followed that with another hit, "Fireman."

"Hello, Albuquerque!" Strait said. "It's good to be back in town. Thank you all for coming out to the show tonight. It's really good to see you. We got some old music and some new stuff in store for you tonight."

Strait then asked the audience its opinion of the night's opening performers, Sara Johns and Little Big Town, and got cheers in response.

"I Hate Everything" followed, and fans sang along as Strait led them to the chorus, "I hate my job, I hate my life and if it weren't for my two kids I'd hate my ex-wife. I know I should move on and try to start again but I just can't get over her leaving me for him. Then he shook his head and looked down at his ring and said 'I hate everything.'"

The mood changed for "Run," with the stage bathed in blue light and a spotlight centered on Strait, but it was back to high-energy as the band ripped into "Unwound."

"This is one for all you honky-tonkers," Strait said.

Throughout the arena, fans held their cell phones aloft to record the event in pictures or videos, mixed with the flicker of digital camera flashes.

Most people spent their time dancing in the aisles, clapped in time with the music and singing along.

Strait performed hit after hit - "Check Yes or No," "The Chair," "She'll Leave You With a Smile," "I'm Not Her Cowboy Anymore," "Cowboys Like Us," "Texas," "Amarillo by Morning," "Seashores of Ol' Mexico," "Write This Down."

Strait took a break to talk about his forthcoming album, due in stores April 1. The audience hushed as he performed the title track, "Troubadour."

The song is a lively Texas two-step piece that looks certain to be another chart topper.

Next he sang "I Saw God Today," also from the new album. It, too, got a very warm reception.

Next he paid homage to the cowgirls in the audience with "How 'Bout Them Cowgirls," his latest hit from the "It Just Comes Natural" CD. He followed with two more tracks from the same album, "Give It Away" and the title track.

At this point in the show, Strait had performed 20 songs and it was evident that the fans wanted more...and that's what they got.

He performed one of his best storytellers, "I Can Still Make Cheyenne," the ballad of a rodeo man who calls home and finds out that his one and only has moved on, tired of waiting for him.

Then came "Heartland," "I Just Want To Dance With You," and "Wrapped."

"Thank you for being such a great audience," Strait said as prepped for his exit. "I hope you enjoyed the show tonight. See you next trip."

He set down his guitar, waved in all directions and bowed before exiting the stage with the band. Fans roared for an encore, the concrete floors vibrating with their cheers as the King of Country Music returned.

Strait ripped into the Waylon Jennings classic, "Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line," and a Bluegrass version of "Folsom Prison Blues" before closing the show with his traditional performance of "The Cowboy Rides Away."

"I knew the stakes were high right from the start," Strait sang. "When she dealt the cards, I bet my heart. Now I just found a game that I can't play, and this is where the cowboy rides away.

"And my heart is sinking like the setting sun," he continued. "Setting on the things I wish I'd done. It's time to say goodbye to yesterday. This is where the cowboy rides away."

Then, as cool and calm as he began the evening, the star set down his guitar and waved to the audience in all directions, bowed and acknowledged his backup musicians.

"Once again, thank you Albuquerque," he said. "Good night everybody. Thank you. So long, adios."

Fans said their farewell with a standing ovation that lasted long after King George had left the stage for good.

For information: www.georgestrait.com, www.myspace.com/georgestrait.

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