Beech Tree News Network

May 18, 1952, country music legend George Strait was born.  When I heard Joe Morris announce birthdays on WLBQ Wednesday morning, I knew exactly what I was going to write about this week.  How and when do you know when an artist will be great? I don’t know if there is anyone about whom you can flat out say, “they’re going to be a legend”.  When George Strait broke with “Unwound” in April 1981, I wonder how many people had that thought about the man country fans now call King George?
A hit song, along with the staying power of said song, is what makes a good, successful artist.  Guys like George have been blessed enough to have hit after hit after hit.  I think when artists like George and Garth hit the scene, you just knew.  They had that intangible.  What sets George apart is that he just stands there and sings his great songs.  And Dean Dillon is his primary writer.  There are others but Dean appears as a writer/co-writer of George’s hits a lot. 
Garth is more of the physical, active entertainer.  Yes, he has the endless string of great songs.  Well, he did back in the ‘90’s.  I guess you could say that about both artists.  In celebrating the legacy of George, though, here are a few George Strait albums that, I believe, you must own.  Of course, these days you can just download the albums/songs and bypass the store.  Nonetheless, here is the list.
The first thing I would do is go Strait for (pun intended) his 50 Number Ones album.  I won’t go through all the songs.  I will say that this is, in my opinion, THE quintessential George Strait album.  Obviously you’ll be missing out on gems that didn’t reach the top of the charts.  This album chronicles three decades of George hits.  The only one that might be better is Strait Out of the Box.  This was released in 1995.  The 4-disc set covers decades of his career.  His album 22 More Hits wasn’t just a money grabber.   “When Did You Stop Loving Me”, “Marina Del Ray”, “Cowboy Rides Away” and “Drinking Champagne” are just some of the great songs on this album.  If you want a crash course in George Strait greatness, I’d pick up his 50 #1 hits album as well as his 22 More album. 
If you’re an aspiring country artist, aspiring writer or aspiring anything, I’d say follow George’s pattern if they want to be known as legend.  Of course, artists who are eventually known as legends never concerned themselves with such.  They just went out there and did their thing.  That’s a lesson to everyone: don’t worry about what you’ll be in the end.  Enjoy the ride and do your best.  It’s worked for George and Garth, as well as countless others.