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At a press conference at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's Ford Theater Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 26), George expounded on the already obvious significance of the tour name, christened after his 1985 hit.
"It's the song we've closed our show with for years," he told the audience. "I've done a lot of neat things in my career. My band and I went to Camp David with President Bush before he left office and Clinton came in, and we played it for him."
As to the timing of the tour, the entertainer, who turned 60 last May, said, "I always had it in the back of my mind, when I turned 60 it might be the time to start thinking about it. I didn't want to book a tour where nobody came."
Although he's retiring from touring at the end of the two years, George added, "In 2016, I might say, 'What a dummy.' If that's the case, I'll reconsider."
Joining the Texan on his tour will be his previous tour mate, Martina McBride, who was also on hand for the event.
Getty Images for George Strait
"I'm a huge fan, you know that," an emotional Martina told George, acknowledging that she was holding back tears. "Being part of this tour is really a career highlight for me."
George stressed that he isn't retiring, and that as long as Mike Dungan, the head of his record label, Universal Music Group, wants him to record, he has no plans to stop making new music. In fact, George plans to return to Nashville in October to begin work on his next album, explaining that it has been his longest time between recording projects since 1981, so he's anxious to get back in the studio. He also said that other special guests may join him on the tour from time to time.
With 59 No. 1 hits to his credit thus far, he may have a hard time deciding what to do during his final concerts, but once the tour is over, he has a few ideas with regard to what will fill his days.
"I have a new grandson so we'll certainly be spending a lot of time with him. I'll try and steal him away from his parents, maybe take him fishing."
He noted, however, that the 8-month old may still be a little young for fishing.
George Strait, The Cowboy Rides Away 2013 Tour Dates:
Jan. 18, Lubbock, Texas, United Spirit Arena
Jan. 19, Oklahoma City, Okla., Chesapeake Energy Arena
Jan. 25, Salt Lake City, Utah, Energy Solutions Arena
Jan. 26, Nampa, Idaho, Idaho Center
Jan. 31, Sacramento, Calif., Power Balance Pavilion
Feb. 1, Fresno, Calif., Save Mart Center
Feb. 2, Las Vegas, Nev., MGM Grand Garden Arena
Feb. 15, St. Paul, Minn., Xcel Energy Center
Feb. 16, Grand Forks, N.D., Alerus Center
Feb. 22, Buffalo, N.Y., First Niagara Center
Feb. 23, Hartford, Conn., XL Center
Mar. 1, Knoxville, Tenn., Thompson-Boling Arena
Mar. 2, Lexington, Ky., Rupp Arena
Mar. 17, Houston, Texas, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo*
Mar. 22, Greenville, S.C., Bi-Lo Center
Mar. 23, Greensboro, N.C., Greensboro Coliseum Complex
Apr. 5, Albuquerque, N.M., The Pit
Apr. 6, Las Cruces, N.M., Pan American Center
Apr. 12, N. Little Rock, Ark., Verizon Arena
Apr. 13, New Orleans, La., New Orleans Arena
Jun. 1, San Antonio, Texas, Alamodome**
*previously announced tour date featuring Martina McBride and the Randy Rogers Band.
** On Sale TBD
Additional markets will be announced for 2013 and 2014. For more information on George Strait and for tour updates, please visit www.GeorgeStrait.com.
Amy Wright
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