The Sunday Morning “Nobody-Asked-Me-To, But-Here-I-Go-Anyway” Concert Review: George Strait

Well, I stand corrected. This time, somebody did ask me – you can check out this review online as well at: http://www.ticketmaster.ca/reviews/, about 72 hours after today's posting. Go figure!

Last night, we caught country superstar George Strait in concert here in Calgary – even though we had to shrug off only two hours of sleep after taking what was essentially an early morning red-eye in from Las Vegas, just to be back on time to attend this show – part of the 2009 Calgary Stampede concert line-up I might add. Yee-Haw, pardners!

For the uninitiated, George Strait has enjoyed a stellar career spanning over a number of decades – from which he has amassed over 50 Number One hits. How do you plan a 90-minute show with so many hit singles, plus all the other songs that have been popular, but didn’t climb all the way to the top of the charts? Well, you either perform medleys, like so many other artists do, or you just select a balance of your early years, the middle years, and your newest hits, like Mr. Strait chose to do last night. Diplomatic, and reflective of his staying power – there wasn’t a dull moment in The Saddledome, even when he performed a brand–new song.

My wife and I have been fans since the early 90’s – back to singles like “Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind”, and “All My Exes Live In Texas”. Sound like there might be a theme there? Yep, George Strait wears his heart on his sleeve when it comes to Texas, with many of his songs reflecting his home state – one song in particular even admitting unabashedly that he wouldn’t be where he is today, if it hadn’t been for Texas. He’s a one-man musical convention and visitor’s bureau. With a bit more popularity…

What I’ve always loved about George Strait is that so many of his songs tell a story, which endears them to his fans, and has afforded him the rarity of a long career in the music industry. It’s been a long wait to finally see him live, but the wait was worth it – he really is The King Of Country.

Opening act Gord Bamford was just the icing on the cake – with an album out right now stacked with hits (plus his timely and appropriate theme song for The Calgary Stampede “This Old Hat”), he put on a high-energy set to get the crowd warmed up for Mr. Strait – I’m a fan, and it was great to catch him on the same dance card.

All in all, some fine times in Cowtown for country fans last night…

Don’t forget, check back later for this at: http://www.ticketmaster.ca/reviews/ - if I'm lucky enough to have it posted there.

Chow for now!