He's the Country Music Association's most decorated award recipient, having held its Entertainer of the Year title during three different decades, and he was the first musician to release 60 number 1 singles in his career -- a record set during his 60th year of life, no less.
And, AT&T Stadium? Surely you recall the hullabaloo surrounding George Strait's farewell concert in Arlington. A record 104,793 screaming fans released the rambling cowboy into a successful residency in Las Vegas.
(Well, and a few select places in the southwest. His "non-retirement" from regular touring, it seems, never fully stuck. He's even showed up for surprise sets in iconic locations, like Gruene Hall in 2016.)
So, one might imagine a Country Music Hall of Famer like Strait could grow jaded by constant adoration and unending accolades.
But, the Wrangler-wearing superstar defies show business stereotypes. That's part of what fans love most.
It comes as no surprise, then, that Strait accepted his most recent award -- the State Legislative Conference's Texan of the Year -- with measured humility and grace.
"Texas is a big place filled with amazingly talented, smart people," he said, according to a statement. "How'd I end up here?"
Appearing at the conference's 52nd meeting in New Braunfels, Strait called the honor "tip top" of his list.
A "nonpartisan organization of Texas business and political leaders," according to its website, the Texas Legislative Conference meets annually "to focus on public policy issues."
Past Texan of the Year recipients include U.S. presidents George H.W. Bush (1982) and George W. Bush (2002), Civil Rights leader Barbara Jordan (1993) and businessman T. Boone Pickens (2009).
As for Strait, the organization's decision comes based on the musician's "role leading recovery efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey," a statement says.
Last fall, the star-studded Hand in Hand telethon, featuring a live benefit concert starring George Strait and Friends at the Majestic Theater in San Antonio, raised more than $22 million, the statement says.
Dallas Morning News music critic Kelly Dearmore reported in September how Houston rapper Bun B played a crucial role in organizing the larger Hand in Hand fundraiser -- which included additional performances nationwide -- that raised more than $44 million for hurricane relief efforts. That figure has since risen to an estimated $55 million.
Strait has long been known by fans as the King of Country, but New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce Board Chair added to his honorific title, proclaiming Strait "A Prince of the City of a Prince," a reference to the city's royal German heritage.
If you ain't lovin' George Strait (you ain't livin')
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