Photo by Brian Chilson.
“Amarillo By Morning,” “Ocean Front Property,” “The Chair,” “Check Yes or No,” “Run,” “I Can Still Make Cheyenne” – the list goes on and on.
George Strait has sung us a lot of great country songs over the years, and an amazing 57 of them have hit No. 1. He couldn’t pack them all into his concert Saturday night at Verizon Arena, but in a 30-song set that ran past 11:30, he gave it his best shot.
The crowd of 15,597 embraced them all, but if his fans love his new songs, they downright adore the old ones. He delivered a terrific mix of both, from his opener, “Twang,” to his trademark finale, “The Cowboy Rides Away.”
Strait – with boots, black hat, starched shirt and jeans all in place – just sings.
There’s not a lot of talk and no dazzling special effects. But his smooth voice and traditional sound, backed by his Ace in the Hole Band, don’t need anything else.