Country Superstar George Strait announces exclusive worldwide concert engagements at MGM Grand’s new Las Vegas Arena
During a press conference at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Tuesday morning September 22, Country Music Superstar George Strait appeared live in person after it was announced that he will be among the first entertainers to perform at the new Las Vegas Arena scheduled to open in April 2016. The Country Music Hall of Fame inductee will perform a series of “Strait to Vegas” exclusive worldwide concert engagements at the new venue April 22, April 23, September 9 and September 10, 2016. As his opening act will be GRAMMY, ACM and CMA Award-winning singer/songwriter Kacey Musgraves, who recently released her second studio album Pageant Material to critical acclaim. This announcement is the first of an exciting, prestigious lineup of incredible performers who will appear on the Arena’s stage.
“This is an exciting announcement for the Las Vegas Arena, and another example of why Las Vegas is the Entertainment Capital of the World,” said Rick Arpin, senior vice president of entertainment and development, MGM Resorts International. “We are thrilled that George is going to be a huge part of our opening season with this special exclusive engagement. He has had a significant impact on our city’s entertainment landscape over the years and we are thrilled he will provide Las Vegas visitors and our local community the opportunity to see a series of additional legendary performances.”
George Strait said, “I said all along I wasn’t going to tour anymore, but I also said that I wasn’t retiring by any means and I still wanted to do some dates. I’ve been working a little bit here and there, and I’m really proud of this new album that’s coming out. I think it’s a great record – I always say this; I think it’s one of the best records I’ve done. I always shoot for that. You’ve got to go in the studio thinking that way, so I’m very excited about that and I’m also very excited to be coming back out and playing for the fans out there. I’m looking forward to it so much, singing those songs that I love so much and haven’t done in a while. I’m really, really looking forward to being able to play in the new Las Vegas Arena. I hear it’s just unbelievable. I can’t wait.”
During a Q & A session with members of the media Strait was asked, “Why Las Vegas?”. He responded, “Las Vegas has been part of my country career. Most recently I performed at the MGM in the Garden. The crowds are great. There is so much to do here. A concert is a bonus. My first gig was at the Frontier when two shows a night was common, then the Hilton. I stayed in Elvis Presley’s suite. I filmed a movie (Pure Country) at the Mirage; played there and the Nugget, and now here. It feels like home.”
Tickets for the concert series will go on sale Friday, Oct. 2 at 10:00 a.m. PT via www.straittovegas.com and range in price from $75 to $200 plus applicable fees. American Express® Card Members can purchase tickets before the general public beginning Friday, Sept. 25 at 10 a.m. PT through Thursday, Oct. 1 at 10 p.m. PT.
It was also announced at the press conference that Strait will release his new album Cold Beer Conversation this Friday, Sept. 25. The album was produced by Chuck Ainlay and Strait and features 13 songs including his latest single, “Cold Beer Conversation,” premiering on country radio tomorrow.
The track listing for Cold Beer Conversation is as follows:
1. “It Was Love” (Keith Gattis)
2. “Cold Beer Conversation” (Al Anderson, Ben Hayslip and Jimmy Yeary)
3. “Let It Go” (George Strait, Bubba Strait and Keith Gattis)
4. “Goin’ Goin’ Gone” (Wyatt Earp and Keith Gattis)
5. “Something Going Down” (Jamey Johnson and Tom Shapiro)
6. “Take Me To Texas” (Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally)
7. “It Takes All Kinds” (George Strait, Bubba Strait, Bob Regan and Wil Nance)
8. “Stop And Drink” (Dale Dodson and Troy Jones)
9. “Everything I See” (George Strait, Bubba Strait, Dean Dillon and Keith Gattis)
10. “Rock Paper Scissors” (Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell and Bubba Strait)
11. “Wish You Well” (Clint Daniels, Jeff Hyde and Brice Long)
12. “Cheaper Than A Shrink” (Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon and Jamey Johnson)
13. “Even When I Can’t Feel It” (Dean Dillon, Ben Hayslip and Lee Miller)
George Strait is a music icon and the most-nominated artist in CMA Awards history. With a career spanning more than three decades his achievements include having 60 No. 1 singles and selling more than 68.5 million records. He was the first country music artist honored with Billboard’s “Legend Of Live” Award, and he earned 2013’s Entertainer of the Year title from the Country Music Association as well as 2014’s Entertainer Of The Year title from the Academy of Country Music.
