The George Strait Performance That Won Hearts Across the Country

George Strait was still fairly new on the country music scene when he staked out his territory as the hunky, Stetson-wearing singer by which all male country aspirants would be compared to. He sang his first chart-topper, “Amarillo By Morning,” on an episode of “Hee Haw” in 1983.

The song that’s now a George Strait standard was written over a decade earlier in 1971 and initially released as a song by its writer, Terry Stafford.

But the release of George Strait’s cover of the song in 1982 made it one of country music’s most recognized.

Strait’s talent as a musician on stage and in the studio led him to break Conway Twitty‘s record of number one hits and has accumulated 60 in his 38-year career.

George Strait’s Family

While King George embraced his dreamy cowboy crooner status, he’s been happily married to his high school sweetheart, Norma, since they eloped in Mexico in 1971.

The couple had two children before George hit it big. Their daughter Jenifer was born 10 months later in 1972 while George was still serving in the United States Army.

She was later followed by a son, George Strait Jr. in 1981.

Tragically, Jenifer was killed in a car accident in 1986 when she was only 13-years-old.

Following her death, George and Norma decided to keep their girl’s memory alive by establishing the Jenifer Lynn Strait Foundation that awards donations to children’s hospitals around the San Antonio area.

Announced Retirement In 2012

While the 67-year-old Strait announced his retirement from touring in 2012 — his final tour crushed attendance and ticket sales records in both country music and overall, as well as smashed the Rolling Stones 33-year-old record for the largest indoor concert — and he officially retired on June 7, 2014, Strait has active social media accounts, including Instagram.

While King George struck a handsome figure while singing when he was younger, older George Strait ain’t bad, either.