Two Worlds Collide as George Strait Joins Bruce Springsteen On Stage
You probably didn’t have The Boss and The King coming together on stage on your 2023 bingo card or country music wish list, but it’s a pretty cool moment nonetheless.
Bruce Springsteen is currently on a gigantic world tour with The E Street Band, and it’s been blowing out arenas coast to coast, while also being one of the toughest tickets in live entertainment to secure. Folks attending Bruce’s show Thursday night, February 16th at the new Moody Center in Austin, TX got a special treat when not one, but two American music legends took the stage.
No, George Strait did not perform. After his official retirement a few years ago, his live performances are rather few and far between (and just as pricey as The Boss’s). But George Strait did show up to be a kind and neighborly Texan by coming out to officially introducing Bruce and the E Street Band to the Moody Center audience.
Strolling out on stage to rousing applause, and wearing some silly security clearance sticker on his chest (as if folks in Austin won’t recognize Strait), George and Bruce shook hands and shoulder hugged before Strait took to the microphone to say, “Austin, TX! It’s my honor tonight to introduce to you a man that really needs no introduction, right? Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band!”
Talk about a warm Texas reception. When George Strait comes to roll out the red carpet for you, you know it’s something special. Strait also helped officially open the new Moody Center in Austin on April 30th, 2022 with Willie Nelson and the Randy Rogers Band. Strait lives just south of San Antonio.
Though George Strait is known for being one of the most starched and pressed artists in country music history, he also loves his classic rock, regularly covering Tom Petty in concert. And even though Bruce is best known for rock, his album Nebraska has been super influential in the country and Americana realm, and his 2019 album Western Stars was heavily country influenced.
Greatness recognizes greatness. Maybe a collaboration be in the works for the future? We’ll have to see, but for now let’s just bask in this cool moment only Texas could create before the trolls show up to call Bruce a communist.
Austin,Tx…@springsteen and George Strait!!! pic.twitter.com/9L5LMiRYyE
— DAVID (@dre845) February 17, 2023
February 16, 2023 @ 9:06 pm
How long before this gets political? Hoping never, but I think I can read this room better than that.
February 16, 2023 @ 9:13 pm
It’ll be pretty quickly. But all the dudes calling Bruce a commie will still sing along when their favorite Outlaw country guy covers Bruce’s “I’m On Fire.” And ALL of their favorite Outlaw country guys cover Bruce’s “I’m On Fire.”
February 16, 2023 @ 9:16 pm
That is true. “I’m on Fire” is covered all the time.
And Bruce is a Commie.
But the best cover of Springsteen is “Atlantic City” by the Band. Excellent rendition.
February 17, 2023 @ 4:11 am
i’d hope for “wreck on the highway”
February 17, 2023 @ 4:56 am
That is a great cover!
February 17, 2023 @ 4:57 am
“Well, they blew up thay Chicken Man in Philly last night…”
Man, I miss Levon.
February 17, 2023 @ 5:22 am
Hank 3’s version of Atlantic city is good as well!
February 17, 2023 @ 6:36 am
That’s what I was thinking about Republicans during COVID when they were taking money from those making more than $75,000 a year and handing it out like Candy with Chairman Trump’s signature on all those redistribution of wealth stimulus checks. The fake conservative crowd is still in denial despite, “from each according to their ability, to each according to their need.”
February 17, 2023 @ 8:28 am
Folks, let’s please not get into specific political discussions here over divisive issues. Thanks!
February 17, 2023 @ 7:28 am
The Band’s version is arguably the best cover of any song ever.
February 17, 2023 @ 1:38 pm
True story.
It is definitely up there.
February 17, 2023 @ 2:02 pm
Don’t sleep on The Wooks’ cover. Great as well.
February 17, 2023 @ 5:38 pm
As is their version of Blind Willie McTell
February 17, 2023 @ 10:04 am
You obviously don’t know what communist is. Educate yourself.
February 18, 2023 @ 2:35 pm
How can anyone think Bruce is a Commie? Seriously? Not even close. But Ted Nugent (Crappy Pants), Bob Ritchie (Skid Nuts) and Randall Williams (Hank Jr) are fascists. Must be tough to not have basic knowledge of political philosophy.
February 18, 2023 @ 4:27 pm
Fascism – oh yes, like the current regime you are living under?
I am not living under it – but know for a fact you are.
February 17, 2023 @ 4:55 am
Trig,
I’m actually not sure if Springsteen is a communist, or just a moron. He’s definitely one of those two though. If I were to guess, based on my limited knowledge of him, I’d say he’s just a run-of-the-mill, outer-circle moron, like many of your left-leaning readers.
Sometimes it’s hard to get a read on someone’s motives.
February 17, 2023 @ 9:31 am
Yeah, a real moron with more money than your family will ever have. Loser!
February 16, 2023 @ 9:12 pm
Would have been interesting if they had done a duet what song it would’ve been.
February 16, 2023 @ 9:17 pm
I’d vote for “Atlantic City” or “Highway Patrolman.”
February 16, 2023 @ 9:27 pm
Also “Racing in the street” or “The River”
February 16, 2023 @ 9:53 pm
Seems like Tougher Than The Rest would be the obvious
February 16, 2023 @ 10:08 pm
Emmylou Harris covered that one on “Brand New Dance” in the ’90s.
February 17, 2023 @ 6:18 am
“Stand on It” covered by Mel McDaniel would be my choice.
February 17, 2023 @ 7:24 am
You might already know this, but she also has covered Racing in the Street (live album “Last Date”) and Mansion on the Hill (the Nash Ramblers album “At the Ryman.”)
February 17, 2023 @ 5:46 pm
Highway Patrolman is great… Cash did a pretty amazing job with Further On Up the Road too.
February 21, 2023 @ 7:24 pm
All That Heaven Will Allow would work.
February 16, 2023 @ 9:15 pm
A great country singer interacts with a giant hypocrite.
February 17, 2023 @ 1:23 am
why is he a hypocrite?
February 17, 2023 @ 8:41 am
He said if Trump won election in 2016, he’d bail on the country and fans that ate up his working man gimmick and made him filthy rich, and he’d leave the country.
February 17, 2023 @ 10:16 am
Not true at all ????
Talk about gimmick images, Trump and the entire GQP party is all about conning the ignorant rednecks and those who have no political acumen to believe they care about them when in fact, they only care about their votes. The only major piece of legislation Trump and his Republicans congress passed was a $1.7 trillion tax cut for the wealthiest Americans.
Educate yourself.
February 17, 2023 @ 11:11 am
Any more outright political comments will be deleted, and if they persist, the comments section will be shut down. Final warning.
February 17, 2023 @ 11:18 am
Way to deflect.
February 18, 2023 @ 8:04 pm
Springsteen has said many times that the only job he’s ever had was being a gardener that he quit after 1 or 2 days. He drew his inspiration to write songs about the “working man” from watching his father work multiple jobs and losing most of his hearing working in factories. Also wrote songs inspired by his working family members and friends. He has said many times the people that work regular job 5-6 times a week are the real heroes of this country.
It was an obvious joke when he said he’d leave the country if Trump was elected. Just like Bill Maher was joking about Trump’s dad being an orangutan and Trump sued him for $5 million because he proved (obviously) that he was not the offspring of an orangutan. It’s called hyperbole which I’m sure we’re all guilty of doing at times.
February 16, 2023 @ 9:31 pm
I’m sure it won’t take long. Unfortunately it always turns into politics anymore.
I miss the days of being able to just focus on the music.
February 17, 2023 @ 5:49 am
Agreed. I wish Bruce and other artists didn’t inject divisive issues into their shows. Sometimes I agree with what they say – sometimes I don’t. But I always disagree with politics polluting the stage.
As for duets, I vote for a pair of songs – Weight of the Badge and 41 Shots. A veritable point-counterpoint.
February 17, 2023 @ 7:23 am
Music is an art form and almost has always had a very political twinge to it. This is especially true in the genre of country music.
I think what people have trouble with is that politics have become teams sports where people get upset if you support someone other than their team. If you want a-political music the best bet is mainstream pop-country but then isn’t that the exact music most fans of this site are against?
February 17, 2023 @ 10:01 am
I guess.
The way I look at it is consuming music through a concert is different from the radio or a CD or whatever. A concert is a communal activity where people should sense they belong. It’s one thing if the artist’s songs are political – you know beforehand what you are getting into. It’s another thing to launch a 5-minute monologue on a sensitive topic the artist *knows* the audience is split on.
For me, I find it annoying regardless of the “team” that artist is on. It’s disruptive and agitates a significant portion of the audience.
As for mainstream – hard to get more mainstream than Bruce Springsteen with his 140 million records sold worldwide (thank you, Wikipedia). I saw Billy Joel on Tuesday night – no politics. Just great music played by great musicians.
February 17, 2023 @ 11:57 am
When was that?
February 16, 2023 @ 9:38 pm
I’m On Fire is a pretty sexy song.
Probably the most catching, slow you down song, Springsteen sings.
Cool that Strait introduced him
February 16, 2023 @ 10:19 pm
“No, George Strait did not perform. After his official retirement a few years ago, his live performances are rather few and far between (and just as pricey as The Boss’s).”
When did Strait charge $5000 a ticket?
February 17, 2023 @ 10:26 am
The Boss didn’t charge $5k. That was the terrible bidding system the TicketMsster/LiveNation uses to get mor $$$ from the most popular shows, like Bruce, Taylor Swift and Beyonce. When Bruce begins the second leg of his North American tour, there’s a system in place to keep the ticket prices from being bid up and to try to cut the tickets going to the secondary party.
February 18, 2023 @ 9:15 pm
The Boss was indeed behind the $5000 tickets (fuck me, does anyone do any research before flapping their lips?). He even had the balls to say if anyone isn’t satisfied after a show they can ask for their money back. The Backstreets Fanzine shut down after more than four decades over the Boss’ greed. The only reason the tickets for the second leg are being regulated is because Goof Springsteen took so much heat over the price gouging for the first leg.
Still waiting for Trigger to post proof Strait charged $5000 to see one of his concerts.
February 16, 2023 @ 10:23 pm
Two of my all-time favorites together. I probably would have passed out if I was there live seeing them walk out.
February 17, 2023 @ 7:29 am
My pants would be soaked if they performed together.
February 16, 2023 @ 10:29 pm
Where’s everybody’s sense of drama? Strait coming out and singing “Tougher Than the Rest” or “I’m on Fire” at a Springsteen concert is “Dog Bites Man.” Seems every country singer has sung those songs, and it’s fine but “meh.”
On the other hand, if Springsteen, in Austin, had motioned for George to come back, strummed his guitar, and the words “Amarillo by morning, up from San Antone…” had come out of Bruce’s mouth, the place would have gone wild. That’s “Man Bites Dog.”
It would have rivaled hearing the Rolling Stones in Austin and Mick Jagger singing “Well, the Honky Tonks in Texas, Were my natural second home….”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwEOZtJm8pU
February 17, 2023 @ 10:36 am
Bruce often sings country songs and shares the stage with country stars. Bruce loves good music, no of the genre. He’s put out 2 albums that are very much country, his latest album is Motown covers from the 1960s and 70s, and his album, The Seeger Sessions, is an amazing mix of country, bluegrass and gospel music.
February 17, 2023 @ 12:42 am
Damn cool moment! It should always be about the music. Legends!
February 17, 2023 @ 3:32 am
There’s a sub, sub segment of y’all who have let politics run your life. It isn’t entirely your fault; you fell into the trap in 2016 and totally committed to the cause. But, it’s time to stop and start enjoying the moments like this one. In the end, there isn’t that much that separates us from one another, but a lot that keeps us apart.
We went to Town Mountain last night with one of our most conservative friends last. He made a Biden crack early on and I gave him a look. He apologized and then we had the time of our lives.
Let’s stop identifying ourselves by partisan lines and start enjoying what we really have in common.
February 17, 2023 @ 5:56 am
I don’t comment a lot, but I read everybody’s comments. You have got to be the goofiest bastard alive. If I were your buddy, I’d have laughed in your face. Your false sense of moral superiority would be funny if you weren’t legion. People like you, are why the government and media can collude to effectively cover up the absolute environmental disaster that just took place in Ohio.
Your ilk are a feces stain on the history of mankind.
February 17, 2023 @ 6:50 am
“I don’t comment a lot.”
And now we can why that’s a good thing.
February 17, 2023 @ 6:55 am
Case in point.
February 17, 2023 @ 7:03 am
No, I’ve loathed goofy, pseudo-moral airheads like you, long before the ruler of your mind came along in 2016.
February 17, 2023 @ 8:26 am
Joe,
Your comment is pretty out of line. You may disagree with Hoptowntiger, but what he’s talking about is trying to get over the divisive nature of the world through music, and then you bring the most divisive comment possible. You can’t assume about anyone that they don’t care about the train disaster in Ohio, etc. You don’t like Bruce Springsteen because of his political views, fine. Going after some guy as a ‘feces stain of mankind” based off of his comment is ludicrous.
February 17, 2023 @ 8:51 am
Hi Kyle,
I couldn’t disagree with you more. Like I said, I’ve been a reader of this website for a while now, so I see what people say.
Hoptown is a pseudo-moral goofball, who loves to paint himself as an arbiter of “unity”. His definition of ‘unity’ is for everyone to pretend like everything is A-Okay, and if you know it’s not A-Okay, then just keep your mouth shut about it.
People who think everything is A-Okay, are who, by their willing blindness, allow the bad people in the world to do bad things.
Evil people are bad, but evil can be identified and beaten. Ignorance and stupidity are far worse for this country, and it’s killing us.
I’m not trying to pick a fight with you though, and for what it’s worth, I appreciate what you do for the music I love.
February 17, 2023 @ 9:22 am
I don’t think folks are saying everything is A-Okay. I think we all recognize that stuff is screwed up, and one of the reasons for that is the rabid polarization of society. When you can’t mark a cool moment in music like this without people saying others are a “feces stain of mankind,” then we’ve got big problems, and it’s not just the train derailments swept under the rug by balloon stories. I completely understand your concern with portraying everything as hunky dory. But this is a music website. It would be great if we could just focus on the music aspect of things.
February 17, 2023 @ 9:56 am
Kyle,
Your commenter Hoptown, left a political comment, insinuating that he is morally superior to Trump voters(“2016”). Instead of coming at me, why don’t you ask Hoptown to stop making comments of a political nature, where he casually criticizes one side, while pretending to want unity?
Here’s how you can tell he is insincere. He only calls for unity from one side. Why doesn’t he call for unity from left-leaning commenters like Countryfan68, who is quite possibly the most profane and vile commenter on your website.
February 17, 2023 @ 9:18 am
Kyle,
I have one more thing to add. You can tell Hoptown is a total fraud, because he only calls for unity from one side. You’ll never see him calling for unity to the left side, folks like Countryfan68, who is the most inappropriately profane and vile commenter on your website.
February 17, 2023 @ 9:56 am
Hoptown has been commenting here for going on 15 years, has contributed articles to this website, and has never presented any evidence that he is a “fraud.” You disagree with his politics. I completely understand and respect that. Don’t take it personally though. This is an article about George Strait and Bruce Springsteen sharing the stage. Let’s focus on that. Criticize Bruce for his politics of you want. Turning knives on each other in the comments is what I take issue with, and that goes for EVERYONE.
February 17, 2023 @ 10:04 am
Kyle,
His politics aren’t my real issue here. It’s people who pretentiously call for unity, when they really just want the other side to shut up. That is fraudulent behavior. You know who’s not a fraud? Countryfan68.
But it’s fine, you’ve made it clear you’re going to protect him based on his long-term readership, which you obviously have every right to do. But let’s stop playing games, okay?
And am I really being moderated for this?
February 17, 2023 @ 11:44 am
Dude, I’m not “protecting” anybody. Folks on the left think I censor them. Folks on the right think I censor them. In truth, I censor very little if anything these days. I write about country music. I don’t want to spend my time officiating slap fights in the comments sections. I just felt the need to stick up for a commenter that was calling for calm. And yes, I know he took a swipe at Trump voters, just like Trump voters are taking a swipe at Springsteen. Let’s just all try to be adults here, and leave political commentary and infighting to more appropriate places. This is all I’m asking for, and a little understanding.
February 20, 2023 @ 12:27 pm
Hi Kyle,
I just wanted to follow up with you, in light of the recent news that the Biden administration has denied FEMA relief to the people devastated by the Ohio disaster. Let it be known that the impacted area is made up primarily of poor white people(Trump voters).
This is what I mean. Our government is playing politics with the lives of real people, but hey, “Let’s all just unite and keep our mouths shut.”
February 23, 2023 @ 6:24 am
Joe –
I’m sick of political outsiders and the national media weaponizing the East Palestine train derailment for their own advantage.
I live 55 miles southwest of East Palestine and most people in this region view the derailment as an unfortunate accident that occurs in a very industrial part of the county – part of doing business. It’s no different than industrial accidents that have occurred in the coal mines and steel mills in these parts. If we value jobs and deregulation more than the environment and safety, this kind of accident happens.
Two of the chemicals spilled – butyl acrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate – are used in plastic production in the ethylene cracker plants being built throughout the Appalachian region replacing jobs from the dying coal industry (the new coal in Appalachia).
A $6 billion dollar Pennsylvania Shell Ethylene Cracker Plant just opened up last year 37 miles from where I live and will produce over a million tons per year of plastic pellets and employees over 600 locals. It’s jobs and the economy vs regulation, safety, and environment. Which side are you on?
In these parts, accidents happen. We cleanup, help our neighbors, and learn from it. The EPA is testing the air and the water daily and so far there hasn’t been any issues.
We don’t need outsiders dividing us for political gain.
February 23, 2023 @ 10:19 am
Joe,
I appreciate your passion for this topic. But you have to understand, I run a country music website. It’s as appropriate to talk about the Ohio rail disaster here as it is to talk about George Strait on a political show, which is not appropriate at all. Trust me, I have all links of opinions, and sometimes it’s difficult to not use the forum of SCM to broach them since they’re not related to country music. But I don’t. I believe the public needs spaces where they can get away from political acrimony. That is what I have tried to build here.
February 23, 2023 @ 5:20 pm
hop,
I don’t recall the last time I encountered someone so out of touch with reality as you. You don’t seem mean, just very a very childlike naivete.
You seem to really believe the things you say, which is quite shocking.
March 18, 2023 @ 3:19 pm
This was reported today by the Pittsburgh Post Gazette (a right leaning paper that endorsed Trump 2x)…
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2023/03/18/moscow-ohio-train-derailment-east-palestine-washington-russia/stories/202303180096
It was obvious to us locals that the train derailment/ industrial accident was getting a different spin nationally and it was being used for political gain. Now we know the co-conspirators.
February 17, 2023 @ 6:15 am
Country artists have covered Springsteen songs, including Chris Ledoux.
February 17, 2023 @ 6:16 am
Love always wins
Get offline and talk to everyone
Be the person you imagine you could be at your best.
LGB
February 17, 2023 @ 8:36 am
Hoptownkitten94, have you ever backed down and apologized for any Trump remarks you may have made among friends? Between 2016 and 2020?
February 17, 2023 @ 1:44 pm
Of course, he hasn’t.
February 17, 2023 @ 12:27 pm
Well said. I miss the days where it was okay to disagree.
February 17, 2023 @ 12:34 pm
“He made a Biden crack early on and I gave him a look. He apologized and then we had the time of our lives.”
Hoptown, how many Trump crack’s have you made while out & about with your friends?
Not coming at you.
You know I think you are great.
But, want you to think about the statement you made.
February 17, 2023 @ 12:57 pm
You gotta woke up and smell the roses Di
February 17, 2023 @ 2:39 pm
Hoptown is a great guy.
February 17, 2023 @ 12:59 pm
Something tells me the whole “He made a Biden crack early on and I gave him a look. He apologized and then we had the time of our lives.” part largely happened within his own head.
February 18, 2023 @ 3:10 am
Not in a real long time have I even thought about Trump.
The look was to shut down any political talk for the night because I’m tired of it dominating everything that we do.
You do know I was a lifelong registered Republican until 2020? I’m now Independent. So, I don’t think ideologically any of us are that different about important issues to be sparring with each other in the comments section of a music site.
Of any comment I have ever left on SCM, I honestly thought this was the least controversial.
February 18, 2023 @ 8:20 am
“The look was to shut down any political talk for the night because I’m tired of it dominating everything that we do.”
Understood. And, agree.
Had a friend from Baltimore speak to me in a condescending tone, to make me get in line.
She was a supervisor at the post office in Baltimore.
Looked at her with a smile and said, I don’t let my employer do my thinking for me.
February 17, 2023 @ 1:45 pm
“I gave him a look.”
What a badass.
Clint Eastwood should play your character.
Calling for unity doesn’t work when the other side is trying to destroy everything you hold dear.
February 17, 2023 @ 6:05 pm
“He made a Biden crack”. Was it for Hunter?
Proceed with the look. Thanks
February 17, 2023 @ 7:55 pm
Are you going to Effingham?
February 17, 2023 @ 4:15 am
Springsteen is rumored to have a country record done and hidden somewhere and i don’t think it was “western stars”, maybe after his latest album of soul covers the next will be country covers?
Agree on the huge impact Bruce had on country music.
February 17, 2023 @ 7:32 am
Even J.R. Cash was influenced by him, with his excellent covers of “Johnny 99” and “Highway Patrolman”.
February 17, 2023 @ 4:39 am
This reminds me of an article in a Country Music magazine from 1986. The writer was lamenting the fact, that although Nashville had some good up-and-coming traditional acts like George Strait, all the up-and-comers had grown up with TV and The Beatles. So no matter how traditional the music might sound, it wasn’t being performed by people who had no other choice, or who were only influenced by C(c)ountry. In other words, from here (1986) on out, Country Music would never be truly pure, ever again.
In the 50’s, people in NYC thought Southerners were from another world, and vice versa. What a beautiful time that must’ve been.
February 17, 2023 @ 1:52 pm
If only the patriotic arsonist was able to complete his mission in 1776 after the British captured NYC. He almost burnt down the whole city. But the flames were halted and 10,000-18,000 American POWs died on British prison ships in the harbor.
I still say we should have left the British keep New York City and everything north of the place. The country would have been better off. New England almost left during the War of 1812. Unfortunately, the war ended before they could do so.
February 17, 2023 @ 2:29 pm
Comments like these are what are going to get this comments section shut down.
February 17, 2023 @ 3:36 pm
Really?
Countryfan68’s comment is more inflammatory.
It is OK to dislike NYC.
February 18, 2023 @ 9:48 pm
Of course it’s OK to dislike NYC.
Southerners, midwesterners, rural or suburban people from all over have talked about hating NYC forever and nobody cares. Heck, Republican politicans, including sitting U.S. congressmen and senators, to this day wil say they hate NYC–and Chicago and L.A. and San Fran. and Boston, and Philly and DEEtroit, too–and that’s fine.
But let some Democrat say something about some people in a non-urban area clinging to guns or religion or being deplorable and people will be butt-hurt over that remark for the next 20 years.
February 17, 2023 @ 5:14 am
I’m more or less the polar opposite of Springsteen politically, but that was still pretty neat.
Also, Whitey Morgan’s “I’m on Fire” was AWESOME.
February 17, 2023 @ 5:41 am
Yeah, George strait did a wear a mask and get vaccinated promotion with Willie Nelson, a few years ago, Merle haggard was far right in the 70s and then he did a song about voting for Hillary, when she was running for president, I bet George and Bruce agree more on things these days than what they disagree with. Everyone thinks just because some one starts out a republican, means they are always going to stay one, not so true, the GOP has gone so extreme to the right that alot of country singers are dumping them, look at Dolly , she donated 1 million dollars to help covid vaccines to get produced, just because some one is country does not mean they are a extreme right wing conservative, look at Miranda lambert, pro gun, yet she has a gay family member and Miranda is very pro lgtbq+ rights, Lee greenwood, pro gun, but called for a ban on assult weapons after all these school shootings, I know honky cracker ass shit face is going to start his FACIST anal mouth communist spewing garbage, but sorry folks majority of NORMAL PEOPLE are in the middle on a lot of subjects, so George and Bruce are no big shock to me. Just goes to show that not every thing in this world is black and white, PEOPLE CAN AND DO CHANGE their beliefs as they go through life. so this comes as no shock to me.
February 17, 2023 @ 6:21 pm
I see that you are not a fan of paragraphs. I hope you will change your beliefs on the use of the paragraph in the near future.
February 17, 2023 @ 6:18 am
‘Western Stars’ is a great album and the video performance of it in Bruce’s Barn in Colt’s Neck, NJ is even better.
A bonus track at the end is “Rhinestone Cowboy’ which is worth the price on that one alone.
I got to meet Bruce a few years ago in Asbury Park with my wife, he was really nice.
He’s very talented and prolific, really nice of George to introduce him.
February 17, 2023 @ 6:30 am
I don’t like Springsteens liberal/commie *labeled* politics- I don’t like conservative *labeled* politicians, or so called liberal/democrat politicians… but, “Born In The USA” is a bad ass song, and Springsteens live rendition years ago of This Land is Your Land is the absolute best I’ve heard.
I saw Cody Jinks on face book, endorsing Jordan Pertersons book about 12 things to help you in life… Cody is a fan of his and said he thought of himself as a fan that comes to his concerts when he got to briefly meet him…I think Peterson should pay Cody Jinks for his endorsement. There are some things I’ve read about Peterson that belie his above the frey persona…
The politics of personality is absurd… and, I WILL say so to anyone, face to face… I would, if given the opportunity, tell Biden he’s an idiot puppet, always has been and always will be… I give Tom Cotton shit on face book too…
The Kabuki Theater circus show in the District of Corruption is contemptible and the acolytes of BOTH Party’s should be ashamed of themselves… doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results, and actually believing it is the epitome of ignorance.
February 17, 2023 @ 7:03 pm
I can attest…dc is a sick place. Lots of awful people. A city without a soul. I lived there combined about 10 years.
February 18, 2023 @ 9:24 pm
‘I think Peterson should pay Cody Jinks for his endorsement.”
Are you high? Peterson doesn’t need Jinks’ endorsement. Lol. Peterson is liked and supported worldwide.
February 17, 2023 @ 6:36 am
2 true greats and legends. I am a big fan of both. Its the music that matters!
February 17, 2023 @ 6:36 am
I don’t understand the hate for Bruce Springsteen. His songs are incredible. And it says something that his worst song might be Glory Days (half joking) which is off his best album.
February 17, 2023 @ 10:28 am
Glory Days is a masterpiece compared to 57 Channels.
February 17, 2023 @ 10:51 am
And 57 Channels is a stone classic compared to Queen of the Supermarket, IMO.
Difference between Glory Days and 57 Channels is that Glory Days is both not that great and so PLAYED (kind of like Start Me Up by the Stones. Once again, IMO). 57 Channels is kind of a goof and you only hear it if you play the Human Touch album, which some think is his worst album. I actually think it’s pretty good, like a good but not great John Hiatt album.
February 17, 2023 @ 12:03 pm
It was the second single from Human Touch so not exactly a deep track. Actually was played a bit on AOR back in the day.
The album was good – I really like the title track and a few others like Man’s Job. I preferred Lucky Town.
February 17, 2023 @ 1:28 pm
The title track is a great song. And I also much preferred Lucky Town, which I would say is a very good album. I think Better Days, Lucky Town, and Living Proof are great songs.
February 21, 2023 @ 7:34 pm
Jack W — If I Should Fall Behind is one of my favorite Springsteen songs (and I love a lot of his songs).
February 17, 2023 @ 12:35 pm
Queen of the Supermarket would have worked well as a flip side. Maybe not as good as Be True or Janey, Don’t You Lose Heart, but something new for buying the 45.
February 17, 2023 @ 11:09 am
I’ve never heard 57 Channels. I will listen to it.
February 17, 2023 @ 7:57 am
I’m the polar opposite of Springsteen politically and I would be surprised if George Strait wasn’t also. However, both men rose above politics to show respect to each other, which is the cool lesson here IMHO.
February 17, 2023 @ 1:57 pm
THIS!!!! Remember the good old days when people could disagree politically without demonizing the other side? I have friends and family with a variety of political beliefs, religions, you name it. But you know what??? We all love each other. It’s a shame that we’ve forgotten how to do that.
Henry Fonda and Jimmy Stewart were friends for half a century…complete political opposites. But they were each other’s best friend.
Everyone here loves country music. How about we just focus on that…
February 17, 2023 @ 8:36 am
I have seen Bruce in concert several times (my first was thelast night of “The River” tour at Riverfront in Cincinnati in 1981) and there is no question in my mind that his shows were unlike any other performance I have been to (and I’ve been to close to 145 concerts) …playing upwards of 3 1/2 hours, amazing energy, great music, and just masterful performances. Glad to have had those experiences.
February 17, 2023 @ 8:55 am
All politics aside, I never cared for Springsteen’s music. He can’t sing (he’s about as bad a singer as Tom Petty), and none of his music even gets me to tap my toe, much less tap an entire foot. I guess the main thing that turned me off Springsteen was how in the mid-1970s (I’m in the Detroit, Michigan, area) the radio stations were all trying to push Springsteen like he was the second coming of Bob Dylan, etc, and then when I heard some of Springsteen’s songs, I was underwhelmed. I knew some pretty bad bar bands in the Detroit area, and even those bad bar bands sang and played better music than did Springsteen.
I should be a Texan, because I would describe Springsteen as “all hat, no cattle.”
February 17, 2023 @ 9:42 am
Curious being from Detroit, where you a fan of Bob Seger? always wanted to see him in concert.
February 17, 2023 @ 5:48 pm
I saw Bob in Cincinnati around 2008. “Travelin’ Man/ Beautiful Loser” was amazing. Great show!
February 20, 2023 @ 8:18 am
I was a fan of Bob Seger in his early days, before he went pop. His early voice wasn’t as screechy as it is now. Years of screaming loud rock ‘n’ roll will ruin your vocal cords. Seger’s Live Bullet double LP was his last recording I purchased. Night Moves? Yuck. Lame pop.
But I remember seeing Seger in Detroit at the Autorama, even in small venues in the mid-1970s (just before he made the big time) for as little as $2.50. Minimum wage was $2/hour back then, and anybody could afford tickets (and no ticketmaster gouging fees!).
February 17, 2023 @ 11:11 am
Springsteen is an objectively good singer. And he sings in a higher register for hours a night. A bad singer couldn’t do that.
February 17, 2023 @ 11:25 am
Bruce may not be all that great of a singer, per se, but he puts so much passion and feeling into his performance, you gotta respect his ability to do it consistently for 3+ hours a night.
February 17, 2023 @ 10:02 am
Two legends on stage, thousands have a great time at a concert and mostly baboons (including myself) making ridiculous post here in the comments. Man, we should get out to more shows and live the life.
February 17, 2023 @ 10:29 am
George Strait is a çlass act and did the southern gesture by introducing Bruce. I’m proud of being a Texan. However, I’ve moved to Mexiço since Biden is president.
February 17, 2023 @ 1:47 pm
More like Mexico has moved to Texas.
February 17, 2023 @ 12:01 pm
The people who agree with me are geniuses. The ones who disagree are morons.
February 18, 2023 @ 1:53 am
I agree.
February 17, 2023 @ 1:14 pm
I’ve always liked Springsteen’s music but he is probably the most polarizing artist among my musician friends – and it has nothing to do with politics. Not fully sure why people either like him, or just HATE his music.
February 17, 2023 @ 6:55 pm
Years ago I once read somewhere that he’s kinda a dummy. I don’t know any more about Bruce than the average person, but I could see him being propped up as this great artist, the right guy in the right place at the right time. I dunno, it’s been Beyoncé since I read that article. Sorry, I meant bygones.
February 17, 2023 @ 2:41 pm
So did Bruce make political comments during his show in Austin? Just reading the comments here it appears he didn’t sing or perform at all. Did he talk politics from the stage for three hours?
February 17, 2023 @ 6:46 pm
Yes. He sang Okie From Muskogee and then told the expat Californians in Austin to redistribute their wealth to compensate for ruining every place they migrate towards.
And then they sang Troubadour, I’d like to think.
February 17, 2023 @ 3:08 pm
Country artists LOVE covering “I’m On Fire,” it’s RIDICULOUS. Dude has like 25 albums. Folks gotta start doing different songs.
February 17, 2023 @ 5:40 pm
“Point Blank” is Bruce’s greatest song.
February 17, 2023 @ 6:58 pm
My god, the comment section of this site has horribly deteriorated. Some of you can’t help but see everything through idiotic culture war lens
February 18, 2023 @ 9:27 pm
I know. And then there’s guys like you who see nothing because you wear blinders.
February 18, 2023 @ 7:01 am
Springsteen is a mental midget and a fake. That’s why the music industry and liberals love him.
February 18, 2023 @ 10:38 am
An article about a music legend introducing a music legend was published. Somehow the majority of the comments had nothing to do with this simple occurrence.
February 18, 2023 @ 1:26 pm
Hey Doug, you are correct. I shared this article immediately with my family when I saw it as we’re big George Strait and Springsteen fans so seeing them onstage together was awesome and a huge mutual sign of respect. Also big Tom Petty fans so it’s great to see Strait perform You Wreck Me at times in his concerts. I think George Strait is a great example of keeping interviews to a minimum (I think since his daughter died in the 80’s) and I can’t say I even know what his political views are (or care). Just make good music is all these artists should be trying to do.
February 18, 2023 @ 1:19 pm
I don’t comment much on here but Bruce Springsteen is my all-time favorite artist…not person. I’ve see him perform live 7 times and am looking forward to seeing him again this year with my family. His music along with many other artists has always inspired me to be a better person and try to lookout for my fellow man. How hard is it for people to separate the art from the artist? I agree that it would be nice for artists to leave politics out of their performances but my votes aren’t decided by what Bruce or anyone else might say so I can really care less. I don’t care for Biden or Trump but given the sh!tty options we’re given as Americans to choose from, more people chose the guy (Biden) this time around. I believe Washington and Jefferson warned the future generations about what would happen if the government became a 2 party system. To put it simply, we all get f#cked in the end. I think the problem is people choosing sides like they’re their favorite sports team…ride or die.
I consider myself a liberal, not in a political sense but in the sense that I’m open minded and can accept change when I think it’s better. The actual word “liberal” is nothing like what most Democrats are just like “conservative” is not a proper definition of that most Republicans are. Just because I think a certain way of doing something is better doesn’t mean I “know” I’m right and someone else is wrong. I don’t care for Democrats or Republicans at this point in my life (43 years old) because they’ll pander to whatever will get the voters to vote for them and do what they want (or their lobbyists/campaign contributors) to do in the end. I think the issue is people trying to convince other people who to vote for or who to pray to instead of just living their lives the best they can. It seems to just be too hard for people to “think” that they might be wrong at times and even harder to admit when they are. I can look back at my life and see so many times I was wrong in my way of thinking…
I think we’re all visiting this website due to our love of country music and I’ve met so many nice people at country music (and rock) shows and could care less what their personal political (or religious) beliefs are which rarely ever come up in conversations. My simple motto in life and what I tell my 18 and 11 year old boys is “Don’t be an asshole and don’t take advantage of people”. If only it could be that simple for other folks.
February 18, 2023 @ 11:47 pm
I just love that you went with a Seinfeldism in the title.
February 20, 2023 @ 10:02 am
It’s not hard for me to imagine that Strait and Springsteen have a huge amount of respect for each other as artists. Both had early success and then stuck with their sound and style for decades, building a large following of intensely loyal fans.
February 22, 2023 @ 5:45 pm
Don’t know why George would wanna be anywhere ear that POS. Get it together Strait.