George Strait Addresses How Long He Could Continue to Perform
Recently we got the unfortunate news that due to a degenerative neurological disease that Alan Jackson is suffering from called CMT, he was forced to play his final road show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Saturday night, May 17th. Jackson is also planning a farewell performance in Nashville some time in the summer of 2026. But there are no other plans for future tours or performances. This marks the end of an era in country music.
Alan Jackson’s retirement means there’s one less country legend out there on the road, and might make one wonder, how long can we expect to see George Strait out there playing shows for audiences? It turns out, George Strait has been thinking about that himself.
Granted, Strait officially went on his farewell “Cowboy Rides Away” tour in 2013-2014. But ever since, he’s continued to play anywhere from half a dozen to upwards of 20 shows per year with his Las Vegas residencies. So even though full blown tours are in the past, “King” George has remained present in the live setting.
But it may not be that way forever.
At a recent show at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA on May 10th, the 73-year-old George Strait addressed just how much longer we might be able to see him perform live, and in a rather poignant and touching way.
I have maybe five good years to sing my songs for you folks. But hell, it’s been around 50 now and I still love it just as much as I ever did. When I hear ol’ John Michael say my name and 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.
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 of this, you won’t be far away. I’ll still hear your screams and cheers in my mind, and I will always remember you.
Strait’s statement includes reflections to the lyrics of his song “I’ll Always Remember You.”
Of course, Willie Nelson is still out there touring at the age of 92. George Jones, Merle Haggard, and others continued to tour right up until their deaths. If we get another five good years from George Strait, we’ll take it. But as he’s already proven, staying away from the stage is not something George Strait is good at, or many country legends. They were born to do it.
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May 20, 2025 @ 12:16 pm
Those are actually the real lyrics in this song that came out in 2011, except then it was 30 instead of 50.
Not a goodbye.
May 20, 2025 @ 12:19 pm
Those are updated lines from his song “I’ll Always Remember You” from his “Here for a Goodtime Album” from back in 2013. George, his son Bubba, and Dean Dillion wrote it, and it originally went
“When I first set out on the road, I figured
I had maybe five good years to sing my songs for you folks
Well, it’s goin’ on 30 now And I still love it just as much as I ever did”
May 20, 2025 @ 12:21 pm
It’s been a one two punch the last couple of weeks between George and Alan reminding us that era of country music is coming to an end
May 20, 2025 @ 12:22 pm
It’s a sad situation when great artist are paraded on stage long after their vital days are beyond them by management or presenters for a big pay day with zero dignity for the once beloved performer. There’s a definate expiration date for every singer..
May 20, 2025 @ 1:41 pm
True, as much as I loved George Jones music it’s hard to watch his performances from his final years
May 21, 2025 @ 6:29 am
When a performer can no longer sing well to the extent that it will damage their legacy it’s time to step off of the stage. Sadly for some their decline is related to a long-term unhealthy lifestyle that included smoking and/or drug abuse. But no one can turn back the hands of time so age catches up to everyone sooner or later. Then there are those that unfortunately drew a short straw like poor Alan Jackson who suffers from a debilitating disease while still at a relatively younger age.
Unfortunately due to bad investments, poor asset management, divorces and other factors many stars have been forced to continue performing well into their golden years for financial reasons. Can’t blame them for doing whatever they need to do to survive but it’s very painful for their fans to witness. I avoided seeing many legends in concert during their later years as I preferred to remember them at their best. Seeing some of them on TV shows trying to keep the dream alive was heartbreaking.
May 20, 2025 @ 1:33 pm
I think King George has been smart about how he’s toured since his post-semi retirement tour (like you pointed out, he never said he was going to stop touring). Have you seen his current setlist??? It’s 30+ songs! Headliners 1/3rd his age play 1/2 of that a night. So he’s been judicially picking his dates, taking care of himself (obviously), and rewarding fans at his own pace.
I haven’t seenStrait in concert since 2008. It’s leaning doubtful I can go on May 31st. Work has never been busier and you got to get it while it’s available. But maybe we’ll go. AC/DC tickets were going for $30 on the secondary hours before the show last week. If we can score tickets at that price, maybe we show up late just for Strait’s set.
But if we don’t, I’ll always have the George Strait Country Music Festivals from 1997-2001. We went 5x in 5 cities (Pittsburgh 2x, Nashville, Atlanta, and Salt Lake City). Best lineups and best time ever. That Pittsburgh lineup in 1999: Strait, Tim McGraw (w/ Faith), Dixie Chicks, Kenny Chesney, Jo Dee Messina, Mark Willis, and Asleep at the Wheel.
May 20, 2025 @ 2:29 pm
They also had a side stage inside of the venue called the Lynchburg stage. I went when Kenny/tim got arrested in Buffalo. Two of the names I do remember playing that was clay davison and Jerry Kilgore.
May 20, 2025 @ 3:40 pm
Neither George Strait nor his Ace In The Hole Band have plans to retire. As long as fans keep showing up to listen to the king of country music sing and his band play, George Strait will continue to perform and entertain fans. Besides, they also honor wounded veterans at some of the concerts. They are an American treasure and Honky Tonk legends that should be revered. They have a story to tell so, do tell.
May 20, 2025 @ 3:46 pm
Hey, Rob Halford of Judas Priest is the same age as George Strait and still rockin’ the stage with no signs of slowing down.
May 20, 2025 @ 5:30 pm
Hopefully I can catch a show of his at some point. He is the lone artist I haven’t seen that I would pay a TON of money to see!
May 20, 2025 @ 6:20 pm
After George retires from touring, he’ll finally be old enough to run for president.
May 20, 2025 @ 7:04 pm
George Strait does concert dates and does not tour any longer since 2012. George Strait has no plans for retirement and fans do not want him to. Neither does George Strait has any political ambitions for the presidency he has confirmed in many ways. Traditional country music is his fan base and is where his loyalty lies always.
May 20, 2025 @ 7:19 pm
I doubt george will retire, he will continue to do concert dates prob til hes pretty close to death. Trying to say its not touring is silly. You have a one off, thats just a performance. You have a schedule of dates, its a tour. Thankfully george is still healthy so he prob has more than 5 years but the future, hard to see it is.
May 21, 2025 @ 7:27 am
Not to worry, the legacy of George Strait is chiseled in stone because fans all over the world will continue the journey. His grandson Harvey III and grand daughter Jilliann Louis Strait have caught the singing bug. In 2019 George Strait and Harvey III sang “God And Country Music” at the Houston Concert Rodeo where I attended my first concert. It was a heavenly experience! #No pun intended Norma—in case you are still upset. Harvey did great not to worry.
May 21, 2025 @ 3:33 am
…a ticket to a george strait show or a hèrmes bag? the price of the first item could almost put the latter one to shame nowadays. only a fairy tale ending for the few in that king’s story, as usual. he makes disney look like amateurs in the entertainment business at present.
May 21, 2025 @ 7:35 am
Yes, you can’t beat God’s given talents and blessings to the universe. May God continue to bless George Strait and family, amen
May 21, 2025 @ 5:05 am
I’m likely going to try to grab tickets on StubHub to see him in Buffalo.
May 21, 2025 @ 7:42 am
Yes, George Strait has about five more concerts left to do in 2025. Buy your tickets at the George Strait website and be a part of his life journey as all his fans worldwide are.
May 21, 2025 @ 7:49 am
Hank Jr. will be 76 in a few days and though he doesn’t do many shows anymore he still puts on a better show than King George ever could.
May 21, 2025 @ 1:42 pm
I have seen both and i have to agree. Hank is awesome but george is pretty good as well.
May 21, 2025 @ 8:52 am
I have listened to George straight as long as I can remember, he is a wonderful person and singer, God Bless you in your future plans.
May 21, 2025 @ 8:58 am
Long may he continue.
May 21, 2025 @ 9:20 am
Regardless of whether George performs for five more years, fifteen more years, or fifty more years, one thing can be certain: His guitar will still be in pristine condition, having rarely – if ever – been strummed.
May 21, 2025 @ 9:28 am
Man that joke just gets funnier each time toy tell it, bigtex.
May 21, 2025 @ 10:31 am
No one goes to a Strait concert to hear him play guitar.
May 21, 2025 @ 10:47 am
Then why, oh why, does he strap it around his neck?
May 21, 2025 @ 11:36 am
That is where the guitar goes, that’s why. You should try it sometime and quit being a jerk!
May 21, 2025 @ 11:31 am
Maliciously false. It stops being a joke when you are hurting someone’s feelings and career by insisting George Strait does not play the guitar. Then again what is the band for if they don’t do their jobs playing music?. They have a successful working formula to have last for more than 50 years which is more than I can say for these persistent jealous George Strait critics. #Fact:George Strait gave guitar lessons early on in his career—-so you know and in-case critics have conveniently forgotten the fact. Academically, he graduated High School with Honors and has an earned college degree in Agriculture from South West Texas University and is a veteran much more than High School graduates who claim they write their songs about traditional country music without any life experiences for a traditional country song after High School—even Dean Dillon will agree with me.
May 22, 2025 @ 9:08 am
I actually know a guy who took guitar lessons from George Strait. After weeks of lessons, the poor guy doesn’t know how to strum or pick a guitar, but he definitely knows how to strap a guitar on and rest his right hand on the upper bout. He’s got that down PERFECTLY!
June 3, 2025 @ 8:25 am
I have been told that his guitar has the original strings on it from the day he got it.
May 21, 2025 @ 1:46 pm
Love it and its def true. But i guess its like a crutch now.
May 24, 2025 @ 10:26 am
For some, it feels awkward to stand upon the stage with nowhere to hold the hands.
Keith Whitley – and a lot of other singers – kept the guitar as a prop.
Totally understandable.
George Jones stated that his band felt nothing but joy the day he decided to let the guitar go. He was a lousy rythm picker.
May 24, 2025 @ 11:24 am
But when ANYONE takes to the stage with a guitar slung around the neck and DOESN’T play it, that is an INSULT to all who DO play the guitar.
May 25, 2025 @ 2:43 am
It’s like a marriage; you got a wife by your side, but you seldom get to play with her, if at all.
May 21, 2025 @ 1:45 pm
Dont be throwing dean dillon in your comments.
May 22, 2025 @ 5:21 am
Why? is Dean Dillon poisonous?. I remember his “friendship” with the late Toby Keith in the 90s do you?.
May 21, 2025 @ 5:37 pm
I’d LOVE to catch King George in concert !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 22, 2025 @ 2:48 am
Not gonna lie, devastating. While there are many shoes that can never be filled, those two are the epitome of “who’s gonna stand that tall…who’s gonna give their heart and soul to get to me and you”. Loretta was only 72, & George 75, when I saw them. Hard to comprehend these guys, like my Dad, are now the same age or close. I always wished (prior to the stroke) Loretta could just play the ranch, George Possum Holler and both occasionally the Opry when they got up there. Those options aren’t really there for Strait and Alan (aside from the Opry for AJ). I think Jr has it nailed down. It would be wonderful if they could implement that type of arrangement at their leisure. My second ever concert with Alan (& first with good seats) was “postponed” 2.5 years ago and Strait is finally coming back next week but $2000+ a ticket is no bueno. My last show was Jr and it was front row and affordable. I just hope they’re both, especially AJ, healthy enough for that to even be a possibility. Lord willing
May 22, 2025 @ 11:15 am
If you plan on staying for a long time in a top rated hotel for about a week after a George Strait concert with friends then $2000 plus the George Strait front row tickets may cost you about that much. Otherwise, a same scenario for two people at a hotel near the George Strait concert venue in Houston, Texas is less than $800.00 when booked in advance. Good deal.
May 25, 2025 @ 11:53 am
I’ll be 72 six weeks from today,May 25.