By Kayla DeKraker
Country music legend George Strait left fans emotional at a recent concert.
In a heartfelt moment posted to TikTok, Strait reflected on his five-decade career and acknowledged that his time on stage is coming to an end.
“I have maybe five good years to sing my songs for you, folks…it’s been around 50 now,” the country singer said. “And I still love it just as much as I ever did.”
Strait explained how he feels like he’s floating every time he performs for a crowd.
“When I walk through those curtains and I see your smiling faces, my feet don’t touch the ground again until I walk back out and get on that bus,” he explained. “I don’t know how many more years I can do this. I figure a few. I do want you to know, though, when I do walk off this stage and I’m settled in far away from all this, I’ll still hear your screams and cheers in my mind, and I will always remember you.”
@sat_tx_cowboy George has something to say to his fans…#georgestrait #countrymusic #concert #lincolnfinancialfield #foryoupage
The speech is actually the lyrics from his song “I’ll Always Remember You,” which discusses his love for singing and performing.
Although Strait still performs, he retired from touring in 2012. He does still travel, though.
This week, the King of Country celebrated his 73rd birthday.
Strait has enjoyed a wildly successful career and is a huge influence in country music. He boasts “83 career CMA Award nominations and 17 wins, including three for Entertainer of the Year,” Biography said. Last year, he received the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. Throughout Strait’s career, he has sold over 70 million albums.
CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern previously said, “There have been few other artists as authentically Texas and authentically Country as George Strait, and Country Music fans all over the world have been better for it. As a three-time CMA Entertainer of the Year and the most nominated artist of all time, he serves as an inspiration and icon to many of the great, new artists we know today.”
Strait’s love for country music grew in the ’70s while stationed at a military base in Hawaii. He returned home to Texas and enrolled at Texas State University, where he performed his music at clubs and events. In 1981, he rose to fame and his song “Unwound” landed at No. 6 on the Billboard charts.
Last year, Strait broke the record of biggest concert of all time when he performed at Kyle Field at Texas A&M with a crowd of 110,905.
While his career might be coming to a close, Strait’s fans will make sure his legacy lives on.
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