George Strait to play Vegas, new music
George Strait retired from touring in 2014, but he never said he was leaving the stage.
Now he's taking his show to Las Vegas. Strait will play four shows at the new Las Vegas Arena starting in April. Tickets go on pre-sale Friday for concerts set for April 22-23 and Sept. 9-10, 2016.
Kacey Musgraves will open the concerts.
"I said all along ... I still wanted to do some dates," Strait said. "I’ve played in Vegas my whole touring career, and most recently here at the MGM in the Garden (Arena). It’s fun to play Vegas. The crowds are great, and they come from all over the place because there’s so much to do here. A concert is kind of a bonus. I didn’t want to do another structured tour so I can come in here and do a couple of dates here, and then go home for a month or so and then come back and do a couple of more."
In addition Strait is releasing new album "Cold Beer Conversation" on Friday through Wal-Mart and Apple Music. The debut single, also called "Cold Beer Conversation," will be sent to country radio Wednesday.
Strait believes the album is the best he's ever made — but he laughed that he felt that way about all of his albums.
"I have had plenty of time off and I've been working on my golf game," said the singer who played his last concert in June 2014. "If I’m making a record, it’s the most important thing at that time. I’m always trying to find song ideas. I’ve always got that in my mind because there’s a future project down the road. I’m not going to change; that’s who I’ve been since the '70s."
Strait made the announcements in a live press conference at www.georgestraitlive.com at noon Tuesday.
The Country Music Hall of Famer is the newest country singer to jump into a run of shows in Las Vegas. In recent years, Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, and Tim McGraw and Faith Hill have all done residencies in Sin City. Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn are in the midst of their residency at Caesars Palace, and The Judds start their residency at The Venetian next month.
Dubbed "The King of Country Music," Strait has charted 60 No. 1 songs in his more than 30 years in country music. The singer's biggest hits include "The Chair," "Fool Hearted Memory" and "All My Exes Live in Texas," with his last chart-topper coming in 2013 with "Give It All We Got Tonight."