George Strait Announces New Album “Cold Beer Conversation,” Las Vegas Shows
We knew George Strait couldn’t keep from stirring for too long. Though he played his final shows as a touring artist in 2014 on his way to racking up astronomical numbers for his farewell junket and finding himself being named Entertainer of the Year by both the CMA and ACM Awards for the effort, you had to know he wouldn’t sit tight for good.
Announced on Tuesday (9-22) at noon Texas time via a streaming press conference from Las Vegas, George Strait is releasing a new album Cold Beer Conversation exclusively via Wal-Mart and Apple Music on September 25th (yes, this Friday). A new single “Cold Beer Conversation” is also on its way.
Also announced as part of the Las Vegas press conference, George Strait will be one of the first performers to take the stage at the new Las Vegas Arena currently under construction. King George will perform at shows on April 22nd and 23rd, and September 9th and 10th. It’s not necessarily a Las Vegas residency, but it is George Strait returning to live performance. Kacey Musgraves will be the opener for the Las Vegas shows.
Cold Beer Conversation has an impressive list of songwriting contributors, not limited to Jamey Johnson, Brandy Clark, Bill Anderson, George’s son Bubba, a George himself is responsible for a couple of co-writes. You can find the full track list below via Windmills Country.
“I think it’s a great record. I always say this, but I think it’s the best record I’ve done,” George said at the press conference. “You got to go into the studio thinking that way.”
Cold Beer Conversation Track List:
- “It Was Love” (Keith Gattis)
- “Cold Beer Conversation” (Al Anderson / Ben Hayslip / Jimmy Yeary)
- “Let It Go” (Keith Gattis / Bubba Strait / George Strait)
- “Goin’ Goin Gone” (Wyatt Earp / Keith Gattis)
- “Something Going Down” (writers to be confirmed)
- “Take Me To Texas” (Brandy Clark / Shane McAnally)
- “It Takes All Kinds” (George Strait, Bubba Strait, Bob Regan and Wil Nance)
- “Stop & Drink” (Dale Dodson / Troy Jones)
- “Everything I See” (Dean Dillon / Keith Gattis / Bubba Strait / George Strait)
- “Rock Paper Scissors” (Casey Beathard / Monty Criswell / Bubba Strait)
- “Wish You Well” (Clint Daniels / Jeff Hyde / Brice Long)
- “Cheaper Than A Shrink” (Bill Anderson / Buddy Cannon / Jamey Johnson)
- “Even When I Can’t Feel It” (Dean Dillon / Ben Hayslip / Lee Thomas Miller)
September 22, 2015 @ 10:48 am
Kind of bummed that George pulled a Garth and is only making it available through certain outlets, I’ll just have to get on the Apple Music bandwagon I guess. It doesn’t matter too much though because we’re getting new music from The King and that is always a great thing for country music!
September 22, 2015 @ 11:33 am
It’ll be everywhere by Christmas time. Just a short time exclusive window. The exclusive nature of the physical live CD/DVD set helped bring it nearly to Gold but now the CD and DVD are everywhere.
September 22, 2015 @ 5:42 pm
My local record store indicated that they would have it.
September 22, 2015 @ 10:49 am
THIS FRIDAY?! That’s the fastest freaking lead time I’ve ever seen on any album like, ever.
September 22, 2015 @ 11:06 am
Yeah, that’s pretty crazy. It might as well be a surprise album. Not sure what the strategy is there but it does have folks buzzing. Poor Clint Black can’t catch a break getting out of the shadow of George.
September 22, 2015 @ 11:16 am
It isn’t like George Strait is getting much airplay anymore with newer single releases (“Let It Go” missed the Top Forty altogether, and is the second-worst chart performance of his career only to “I Believe”, which was the second single from his preceding release) so he can basically buck standard release schedules at this point in his career.
I can’t say I’m happy this is an Apple exclusive either, but I’ll wait until cuts roll out on YouTube or something to enjoy.
September 22, 2015 @ 2:10 pm
Is Clint Black Friday, too? I’m not used to this Friday date? I went off the grid this weekend and didn’t even know about Turnpike Troubadours until I read your review Sunday night.
September 22, 2015 @ 2:24 pm
The new Friday release date has been terrible for music in my opinion, and terrible for me because I just don’t know when is a good time to post reviews. Fridays and the weekends are off peak times. By Monday everyone has moved on. And I think this affects independent artists more because their promotional budgets don’t have the umpf to power through a weekend.
September 22, 2015 @ 2:49 pm
“If you’re not first, your last”
September 22, 2015 @ 3:30 pm
Agreed. I don’t understand it at all, especially since as we have seen with the Ryan Adams album….can’t you as an artist/band send out your music whenever you want? Or is this a case of the labels and bands trying to play nice with the few remaining record stores and big box stores that still carry albums.
September 23, 2015 @ 8:36 am
I don’t know how the industry is down south, but here in Canada it’s nearly impossible to grab CDs/vinyl from traditional storefronts. Mail order is an option (because we’ve apparently reverted back to 1995), but shipping is huge to get things across the border. You can go to WalMart & get some of the biggest releases, which Strait should fall under, but since my tastes generally lean left of center, I have to listen to folks like Lucero & Isbell through Spotify while I wait a month for my album to come in. It’s frustrating. Now with the Friday release date, it’s even worse because not only do I have to go to a WalMart to see if I can find an album, but they NEVER stock them on release date. Work/family commitments keep me from shopping during the week, but I used to be able to grab new releases on Friday/Saturday. Now I have to wait at least a full week, if not longer for mail order. It’s become very frustrating to be a music fan who is invested in traditional packaging. If I get an MP3 album, I forget about it within a week or two. If I have a physical I listen to it for hundreds of hours in my vehicle. Which one has a longer lasting impact??
September 23, 2015 @ 4:14 pm
Meh, I was hoping Clint would be able to garner some much-deserved attention with his new album, independent or not. Regardless, this has to be one of the sneakiest album announcements ever, right on par with Beyoncé releasing her self-titled album to iTunes out of the blue one day.
In other news on Clint Black, this article about his hiatus might interest you, Trigger: http://www.people.com/article/clint-black-new-album-on-purpose-first-listen
September 22, 2015 @ 11:00 am
Wow! Wasn’t expecting it to come out this week
September 22, 2015 @ 11:03 am
Saw this on my facebook page. I can’t wait to hear it. Well, good thing I won’t be waiting long. I like the songwriters’ list. It will be interesting to see if we hear anything different from him now that the pressure to perform on radio is pretty much gone.
September 22, 2015 @ 11:04 am
Cold Beer Conversation?? might be time to take him out back and put him down
September 22, 2015 @ 11:09 am
I admit I had a tinge of fear when I saw the title. Looking at the songwriters has reassured me.
September 22, 2015 @ 11:09 am
whoa watch your damn mouth…..
September 22, 2015 @ 11:55 am
you don’t speak of royalty that way boy!
September 22, 2015 @ 12:48 pm
On behalf of the entire SCM community…shut the hell up!
September 22, 2015 @ 1:14 pm
I second that motion!!! 🙁
September 26, 2015 @ 3:25 pm
That song is actually much better than the title might imply.
September 22, 2015 @ 11:10 am
Oh goody goody I’m going into town Saturday and I picked up some extra work today!!! (I’m about fifty minutes from the nearest large city, depending on Traffic.) Gotta get this one!
September 22, 2015 @ 11:14 am
Awesome! I’m going to have to save my pennies for a long road trip. Kinda bummed about Kacey bring the opener. She was the worst act at Farm Aid last weekend; really turned me off to her for good. 11 acts on the stage at Farm Aid and she was the only one challenging the sound guy. Finger up, finger down, waving hands and mouthing words all throughout her set. Just play your boring 30 minutes and get off the stage. 1/2 these people hear won’t remember your name tomorrow.
I was always holding back judgement until I saw her live (and maybe Farm Aid isn’t the appropriate setting), but she comes off as an iced bitch.
September 22, 2015 @ 11:27 am
Or maybe the sound guy just wasn’t getting it. Kacey is a better small venue artist than a big venue artist.
September 22, 2015 @ 12:34 pm
“I ain’t exactly Ms. Congenial
Sometimes I talk before I think, I try to fake it but I can’t”.
September 22, 2015 @ 11:18 am
So, all he really did was fire his backing band and move on? Or is the Ace in the Hole Band playing the Vegas dates?
September 22, 2015 @ 12:32 pm
In the press conference, he made it sound like his band is still around and he was looking forward to playing with them again.
September 22, 2015 @ 1:13 pm
They’re called the Texas Jamm Band, lead by Ronnie Huckaby. I hope George is going to use them. They deserve it.
September 22, 2015 @ 3:03 pm
Here is a quote I found on a different site ,
“I”™m very excited to be coming back out and playing for the fans out there. I”™m really looking forward to it so much. Come April, it”™ll be about a year and 10 months since I performed with my band ”¦ It”™s gonna be exciting to get back out there again. I”™m looking forward to singing those songs that I love so much.”
September 22, 2015 @ 3:08 pm
Yes, that’s the quote that made me think there’s not going to be a personnel change of any sort.
September 24, 2015 @ 11:18 am
There’s no change to the band lineup from what I hear. What George did was just say he’s not going to do a steady tour anymore. He always said that he’d still play select shows when he wanted, but he wouldn’t be on the bus for months at a time. So he’ll go do 2 Vegas shows in April, head to the Ranch in Texas for a few months, go back to Vegas for the September shows and if he feels like it play Rodeo X in the spring.
September 22, 2015 @ 11:40 am
Is this the guy i name checked in one of my songs?
September 22, 2015 @ 11:55 am
Yes, and just so you don’t forget in the future, it’s “Strait” and not “Straight” 😉
September 22, 2015 @ 11:50 am
Exclusivity sucks for fans, while it may be great for George Strait and his team and surely having the largest retailer and the largest tech giant in his corner pushing his new album is great for him…kinda sucks for the fans. I’m not in the mood to support Wal-Mart nor do I own an iPhone so I guess I am S.O.L until the exclusivity window ends whenever that will be.
Still, looks like it has the making of a great album and that’s what matters most.
September 22, 2015 @ 12:30 pm
Not having to deal with the walking wounded and industrial lighting of Wal-Mart is almost enough of an enticement to get me to sign up for Apple music. Almost.
I recommend to every artist they get their music in every outlet possible to increase their chances of sales and exposure. I guess when you’re as big as George Strait and Garth, it doesn’t matter.
September 22, 2015 @ 3:00 pm
I’m debating whether or not to go to Walmart myself. With Steve Martin/Edie Brickel AND Jason Boland both readying new albums, I don’t know if I want to spend twenty bucks at a store I don’t frequent… This coming few weeks will see some amazing music released…
September 22, 2015 @ 3:28 pm
My guess is in the case of Garth and George….well not to stereotype their audiences, but chances are Wal-Mart figures they are artists where their fans still actually buy albums. So far all of the Wal-Mart exclusives have been bands or artists that reached their peak in the 70’s,80’s or 90’s and probably have a large number of fans that still get their music exclusively through CD’s and radio.
September 22, 2015 @ 1:29 pm
You don’t need an iPhone or an apple music subscription to buy the album on itunes.
September 22, 2015 @ 3:24 pm
True, but I find iTunes to be a pain in the ass. Sorry, first world problems and all that, but as an Android user…well buying the album digitally from Google or Amazon is much preferred because I don’t have to jump through so many hoops to actually listen to it once I buy it.
I know that is nitpicking, but it’s just the way I feel.
September 22, 2015 @ 11:57 am
I guess I will buy both. I know, I know, but I have every album physically and digitally. I go nowhere with some GS.
September 23, 2015 @ 8:41 am
When Garth was explaining why anyone should care about GhostTunes, all I could think about is the fact that once you buy the CD, you have the MP3s… You can buy his CDs for $5 in stores, $10 on GT. Why would you buy the songs you already own twice??
September 22, 2015 @ 12:32 pm
Who cares
September 22, 2015 @ 12:34 pm
No songwriter by the name of Dallas, and Wyatt Earp apparently back from the dead? Cool!
September 22, 2015 @ 12:45 pm
George Strait doing a Dallas Wayne song might be pretty good…
September 22, 2015 @ 12:41 pm
I would hate to be Thomas Rhett right now, the guy releasing an album opposite the great George Strait! That’s a shame…but seriously, though, poor Clint Black.
September 22, 2015 @ 2:05 pm
If this does get any airplay on MSM….maybe it will get a few nominations for the ACM’s next yr?. I’m just anxious to hear NEW Music from George Strait ! Someone has gotta step up and save us from the Insanity that is now labeled Country Music.
September 22, 2015 @ 2:51 pm
We already know it won’t get airplay. “Let It Go” didn’t even crack the top 40 as a single.
September 22, 2015 @ 2:58 pm
Yes it did, every five year old from here to New Brunswick was belting that song… I mean “Frozen” was no “Finding Nemo” but it wasn’t bad…
Wait are we talking the same song?
September 22, 2015 @ 4:47 pm
I actually prefer “Frozen” to “Finding Nemo,” but they’re both good.
September 22, 2015 @ 4:53 pm
You’re crazy Kaminsky
September 22, 2015 @ 2:48 pm
“Cheaper Than A Shrink” was on the Joe Nichols album Old Things New. Here’s the best quality recording of it I could find on Youtube: https://youtu.be/hZmlED676e8?t=2m5s
September 22, 2015 @ 2:48 pm
George released “Take Me to Texas” for that terrible History Channel blunder called The Alamo. The song was the best part of the mini series and was played for the credits. I also heard it on some Texas Radio stations for a little bit. I thought it was a damned good song and has the classic George Strait story telling style. George (for the most part) knows how to pick a good song and the list of writers is evidence. I’m looking forward to it.
September 22, 2015 @ 2:49 pm
I’m pleasantly surprised to see old George’s name as a songwriter on a few of those tracks
September 22, 2015 @ 4:51 pm
Me too. Does anyone know if he’s co-written much in the past (since I’m too lazy to look it up)? I always thought that he didn’t write much (if at all).
September 22, 2015 @ 5:18 pm
He’s really only stepped up with that on the last three albums or so, but he and Bubba and Dean Dillon have come up with some really good stuff, particularly on 2011’s Here For A Good Time.
October 1, 2015 @ 10:31 pm
Am I the only one who thinks Bubba is not a great songwriter?
I literally cringed when I saw he was going to “add” to this upcoming album.
All songs I did not like wound up being written or co-written (or collaborated) with him. At least that what it says in the credits.
September 22, 2015 @ 2:50 pm
I wish Steve Earle wasn’t just thinking of burning that Wal-Mart down
September 22, 2015 @ 3:15 pm
That is great news I really like George Strait.
September 22, 2015 @ 3:23 pm
Awesome!! George is the best!! Can’t wait to pick this up!
September 22, 2015 @ 5:20 pm
Ha…track 5 “writers to be confirmed” will be George’s forray into EDM. I know it’s George but nothing would surprise me at this point.
September 22, 2015 @ 5:26 pm
I bought the first seven George Strait albums on vinyl. Then I stopped buying them when I realized he was making the same record over and over. Why buy a record that you already have?
September 22, 2015 @ 10:33 pm
“I bought the first seven George Strait albums on vinyl. Then I stopped buying them when I realized he was making the same record over and over. Why buy a record that you already have?”
I hear you . I love George …..and for every 2 or 3 dogs he releases to radio he makes up for it with a killer write , in my opinion . But his last albums have been a bit formulaic in terms of sameness and always include a couple of real ” lowest- common- denominator -pleasers ‘ ( radio ear-candy ) . I understand that even King George has to play the game , to some extent , but because he’s keeping it country and keeping country players in his band and on his records and remaining faithful to his longtime fan base by playing country music at his shows , I can forgive him for his occasional lapses in song choices. Besides ,,,he still has the most AWESOME production values on his studio stuff . George or AJ or Tim McGraw putting out a record with even half a dozen great songs on it is still half a dozen more great songs than anybody else can seem to find .
September 23, 2015 @ 6:33 am
I’m an enormous George Strait fan, but I can understand why some fans feel the way you do. He is definitely a “catalog” artist, who gave us a vast amount of quality material. But, I’ll admit, nothing necessarily groundbreaking. He had a formula that worked and he stuck to it. I appreciate a humble singer of songs, myself. But I do actually hope that semi-retirement might allow him to take some more risks in his music, even if its subtle.
September 22, 2015 @ 8:15 pm
Pretty excited. Will be picking it up on Friday. Also can’t wait to pick up a copy of album turnpike troubadours. Can’t stand buying albums off iTunes…i happen to be in Albany Ga working and the mall by the hotel has an FYE. Might have to stop by there on my out of town and grab the album.
September 23, 2015 @ 5:51 am
Awesome news can’t wait to hear it. I always laugh when people bitch at the title of an album, like that has any influence at all on what it sounds like. Its a title.
September 23, 2015 @ 8:39 am
I’m excited to see all these Keith Gattis co-writes on the track listing. I’m looking forward to putting my ears on this one.
September 24, 2015 @ 12:42 pm
Every time he comes out with an album I instantly check the writing credits to see how many Dean Dillon songs are on the album.
September 24, 2015 @ 11:58 pm
What an insult to fans forcing us to buy it where we don’t want to. I have my entire George Strait collection (every album but this one) in Amazon so why can’t I add this one to the rest of them? It will be a cold day in hell I go to Walmart, and I hate i-tunes, even for George Strait. As much as I really want this, I’m going to pass until the label respects fans and freedom of choice again.
September 25, 2015 @ 5:06 pm
I was in downtown Nashville yesterday and the Ernest Tubb Record Shop was closed so it could be converted to the George Strait “Strait From Texas” Store. This is part of a special promotion for the next 2 weeks and is an opportunity for someone to support a small store.
The website is: http://www.etrecordshop.com
September 26, 2015 @ 9:44 pm
If that’s the case it would hit hard if IBMA week were still in Nashville. I’m off to Raleigh on Monday.
September 26, 2015 @ 9:46 pm
Happened to be in Walmart so I picked it up. One listen so far and it’s ok but not like his early standout albums. I will be adding the western swing track.