Country Music - George Strait
Born in Poteet, Texas, on May 18, 1952, George Strait has influenced more country music careers than any other artist in history. His interest in music was the result of his membership in a garage band when he was a teenager. Strait joined the Army, and spent two years stationed in Hawaii, where he began playing country music in an Army band. Upon his military discharge, he started taking agriculture courses in college, forming yet another band "Ace in the Hole". Without any industry contacts, Strait had a difficult time breaking into the music industry, but that break arrived when MCA executives heard him perform. He has achieved super-stardom with his traditional country style reflected in songs like his first number one hit "Food Hearted Memory" to the tender smash single "You'll be There" (2005). Since his debut in the 80's, he has made history with over 50 number one songs and more platinum albums than any other country artist. Among the dozens of awards he has received, including numerous Entertainer of the Year awards, in 2003 he was honored with the Career Achievement Award from the Academy of Country Music and was inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Texas. Strait is married to his high school sweetheart, Norma, and they have one son, George Jr.
