George Harvey Strait was born on May 18, 1952 in Poteet, Texas. He was raised in Pearsall, Texas, and also in Big Wells on his family's 2,000 acre ranch with his father, John, and older brother, Buddy. George's father taught junio high math during the week. On the weekends, the entire family helped tend the cattle on the ranch.
George's parents divorced when he was in fourth grade, but he and Buddy stayed with their dad. Their younger sister, Pency, stayed with her mother. Mr. Strait dedicated his life to raising his two spirited sons. When George and Buddy were grown and had left home, John met a new love, Anna.
As a teenager, George began playing music, and had joined a rock 'n roll garage band. His preference changed to country music though. While in high school, George fell in love with the beautiful Norma Voss. After graduating high school, George enlisted in college. He soon dropped out and left with Norma to go to Mexico and elope. They had a small ceremony for their families shortly after on December 4, 1971.
Shortly after, George enlisted in the army as a payroll clerk and was stationed in Hawaii. There, he auditioned as a lead singer for a country band that a general was forming, Rambling Country. Off base, they played under the name Santee. On October 6, 1972, George and Norma had their first child, a daughter named Jenifer Lyn.
In 1975, George left the army and went back to college. George graduated in 1979 from Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, with a degree in agricultural education.
While George was in college, he formed his own country band - Ace in the Hole Band. On October 14, the band had their first gig at Chetham Street Warehouse in San Marcos. They played honky tonks and bars around south and central Texas, and as far east as Huntsville and Houston. Some of these places include: Cheyenne Social Club, Getaway in San Marcos, Greune Hall, Crystal Chandelier in New Braunfels, The Beer Barn, Whiskey River, Fools Gold, and Gilley's in Houston. They gained a regional following and opened for national acts such as The Texas Playboys. The band made a few records for the independent Dallas-based label D in the late '70s, but they never went anywhere. Toward the end of the decade, George tried to carve out a niche in Nashville, but he failed since he lacked any strong connections. In 1979, he became friends with Erv Woolsey, a Texas club owner who had formerly worked for MCA Records. Woolsey had several MCA executives come down to Texas to hear Strait.
In 1980, George signed with MCA. In 1981, George released his first single, "Unwound", which became a hit and reached the top ten. George and Norma also celebrated the birth of their second child, George, Jr. (aka Bubba) on May 14, 1981. "Down and Out" was released next, reaching #16; "If You're Thinking You Want a Stranger (There's One Coming Home)" reached number three in early 1982. He had a serious of #1 singles, including "Fool Hearted Memory." He was one of the best-selling country singers of the 1980s. George and his band also had a bit role in the movie The Soldier in 1982.
George's early musical influences include country singers Merle Haggard, George Jones, Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys, and Hank Williams, as well as Frank Sinatra.
Since 1983, Strait has often appeared at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. "For the Last Time: Live From the Astrodome" (album, VHS, and DVD) was recorded in 2002, the last time the rodeo was staged at the Astrodome. The event set the record for paid attendance at the Astrodome with 68,266 people. The rodeo event moved to Reliant Stadium in 2003. In 2004, Strait topped the Astrodome attendance with 68,679 people coming to his rodeo concert.
Also in 1983, the annual George Strait Team Roping Classic was started and held in Kingsville, Texas. In July 2000, it was moved to the San Antonio Rose Palace and the concert was dropped. George, Bubba, Buddy and his son, Trey, compete each year. The event attracts some of the best ropers in the world.
George has scored more number one songs than any other single artist in history. He has sold over 62 million records, with 28 platinum or multi-platinum discs – more than any other country artist. He has also won over 40 major industry awards, and leads the all-time Country Music Association award nominations with 73, and on top of that has 19 Number One Country Albums.