Introduction
After decades of topping charts and touching hearts, country music legend George Strait is reflecting on the journey that brought him to where he is today — and what it means to finally slow down.
“I always thought maybe 60 would be the right time to step back,” Strait says. “It’s been a tough decision because this is all I’ve known for more than 30 years.”
His voice carries the weight of a career filled with both grit and gratitude. Strait vividly remembers the moment everything changed: the first time he heard his song on the radio. “It was back in ’81. I had just released my first record and was making the rounds at local radio stations,” he recalls. “Jay King, a DJ, was the first to spin it. I asked him to wait a minute so I could go out to my car and hear it over the radio — that was the moment it became real for me.”
In his early days, Strait spent countless hours writing songs, chasing the dream of a record deal. “I didn’t have much luck with writing at the start,” he admits. “But when I got to Nashville, I met some incredibly talented songwriters who wrote songs that truly shaped my career.”
Now, in a full-circle moment, he’s found new inspiration writing music alongside his son. “It’s been amazing to see him come into his own as a songwriter,” Strait says proudly. “It brought me back into writing too. He’s got a real passion for it, and it’s special to share that with him.”
As George Strait prepares for what could be his final curtain call, one thing is certain: his legacy in country music is firmly etched in the hearts of fans across generations.
“Hi, I’m George Strait,” he says with a humble smile, “Welcome to my People Country Weekly radio shoot.”