George Strait Wins His First-Ever Grammy
At the risk of calling George Strait the Rodney Dangerfield of the Grammys, the guy never got much respect until Sunday night (Feb. 8). That's when he won first Grammy of his career -- a best country album trophy for Troubadour. Considering all the albums and singles he's recorded, not to mention his success at country awards shows such as the CMA and ACM, how could this have not happened before now? Well, it probably has a lot to do with Strait's attitude and demeanor. Instead of schmoozing people and being seen at all the places frequented by music industry people in Nashville, New York and Los Angeles, he's always preferred to stay on his ranch in Texas, tending to horses and concentrating on things that matter to him, such as team roping activities. He doesn't even visit Nashville all that often unless he's recording an album or attending a country awards show. And in recent years, even his national tours have been of short duration when compared to the mega-travels of acts such as Rascal Flatts and Kenny Chesney. Now that he has finally received a Grammy, we can all agree that it's a well-deserved win. Of course, he didn't bother going to Los Angeles for the awards show and wasn't there to pick it up in person. Good for him.
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Bret says:
He was in San Antonio shopping at Dick’s Sporting Goods Store. Probably getting some fishing gear, since deer hunting season is over. Prority’s in place. Hunting and/or Fishing in Texas is better than going to Los Angeles for any reason. Congratulations on finally winning your 1st Grammy
RedMaZ says:
I’ll just say congratulations to all the songwriters on this project.
Maryj48 says:
Congratulations to George Strait, Tony Brown and all of the songwriters. George was long overdue for a Grammy.
TITANSFAN says:
WELL DESERVED!!! CONGRATS TO GEORGE
Caterina says:
Way to go, George! We are so proud that the “establishment” has finally learned to recognize you. It only took them about 2-3 years shy of 30 years, huh?
Kevin says:
Congrats to the writers AND George
Judy k. says:
CONGRATUALATIONS, GEORGE…Long overdue!!! and WELL DESERVED..FIND A GOOD PLACE ON YOUR SHELF FOR IT AND TAKE A PICTURE STANDING NEXT TO IT FOR ALL YOUR FANS TO SEE.
hotelmotel says:
Its interesting that George would win a Grammy on this because this is one of the weakest albums he released in years.
People are congratulating the songwriters and George and Tony Brown. Fair enough. But the real people deserving of congratulatins are aare the label executives, the marketers, et cetera. For they have given Strait his image and made it possible for him to compete on FM radio for nearly 30 years.
When product as weak as Troubadour (and Strait is a product, not an artist) wins a Grammy, its because executives and marketers have done a good job. The songwriters, singers, musicians and George himself put forth a mediocre product on this album.
Greatdivide08 says:
Shows you how screwed up the Grammies are when it’s only his first one.
cj says:
George Srait is an ARTIST and one of the best. I guess you have to be a wife beater, drug addict & spend time in rehab to be called an artist. Guess he beat the odds!!!
He rocks!
hotelmotel says:
I don’t think one’s status as a wife beater, drug addict & rehab center client have any effect one way or another on one’s status as an artist.
In any case, George is a singer, and he has a nice voice, and is quite talented, but I don’t consider him to be an artist. That’s not a slight - George is good at what he does, but what he does is entertainment, not art.
RedMaZ says:
Entertainment not art? Well you just described a major part of what Pop music is. Nothing against the songwriters, but that seems to be what Strait is doing to keep in the Pop Country spotlight. Dumbing down his albums to appeal to the masses.
Connie says:
Well it’s about time ,congratulations George, Well desereved , and long over do.
But then the Grammy is always out of touch with what real country fans like,
beachRUN says:
hotelmotel…..all i have to say is: Seeeeeeeeeeriously! What makes you the expert? Get a life.
San Antonian Proud Of George says:
I find it funny how some of you judge George Strait.
George Strait has talent. He interprets the songs and gives character to the words and melody which are written by extremely talented writers and musicians. He has been marketed quite well. But we all know if you don’t like something you won’t keep going back for more. George Strait is popular because he does a superlative job at entertaining. That’s what he does, plain and simple, he entertains. CONGRATULATIONS GEORGE.
From A Proud San Antonian!
hotelmotel says:
I agree with San Antonian Proud of George that one reason “George Strait is popular because he does a superlative job at entertaining. That’s what he does, plain and simple, he entertains.”
While I said above that marketing is a big part of George’s success, and I stand by that, I absolutely agree that George has to deliver the goods the marketers promise, or else his sales would tank. George knows how to keep his fans happy and that is no small feat.
Matt Lesko says:
Congratulations on your (long overdue) GRAMMY award.
This would also include the team of those folks including the band, songwriters, audio production /engineering, etc… It’s all about the gift of music that touches everyone. A job well done!
OKimo says:
First of all…Congratulations to George on the Grammy! Also to Tony Brown and all the writers and musicians.
‘Bout time!!!
I’ve been a fan since Unwound came out and have heard people say “all George does is stand up there and sing”…granted, that’s all we need him to do to fill an evening with pure pleasure. Evidently he does all the right things since he’s the only artist (yes-I said ARTIST) that has scored over 50 number one hits…he doesn’t need to jump around grabbing his crotch like some of the so called “artists” that I witnessed on the
Grammy’s the other night.
He is a TRUE American Icon and a helluva artist to boot!
Congrats from a LONGTIME fan in Missouri!!!
Evelyn says:
I have been a fan of George Strait since the beginning…owning every album, not to mention 50 plus of his concerts that I have attended. George Strait has been well over due for a Grammy. How many number one hits does a singer has to have before they are recognized by the Grammy’s? Good marketing is done everyday in the music industry but that does not determine if a song becomes number one. I could not believe the winners instead of George Strait the years he was nominated. I truly believe these awards are given to the singer/artist that brown noses the most.
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