George Strait revealed that he plans to “make another record soon” after re-signing with his long-time label, MCA Records.
Strait’s comments were published in a recent cover story with Pollstar in which he discussed, touring, making new music, more.
“I also want to make another record soon,” Strait said after mentioning his semi-retirement and playing live shows. “I just re-signed with MCA Records and I’m really excited about that and the fact that they still want me around. They’re the only record company I’ve ever been with, and I guess the only one I’ll ever have. They can bury me under the building when that time comes,” he added.
According to the cover story with Pollstar, Strait is set to play the grand opening of the Moody Center in Austin, Texas on April 29 and 30. The $375 million arena holds 15,000+ seats and was constructed and operated by the Oak View Group, an entertainment company that also happens to be Pollstar’s parent company. The arena is operated by the Oak View Group in conjunction with the University of Texas, Live Nation, and C3 Presents.
Strait will play the arena alongside Willie Nelson & Family and the Randy Rogers Band.
“I’m really looking forward to the grand opening,” Strait shared. “Playing with Willie is going to be great,” he said. “What an icon he is. We also have Randy Rogers Band on that show, so it should be a great two nights.”
Though Strait has been semi-retired since 2013-2014 “Cowboy Rides Away” tour, he does still play a handful of live shows from time to time. Strait appeared at this year’s Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo with fellow country artist Ashley McBryde on March 20 at NRG Stadium, an event which drew in 79,456 fans. Strait’s appearance was his 31st at the rodeo, which brings his total rodeo audience over the years to almost 1.8 million, according to Pollstar.
In addition, Strait is planning to play eight shows in 2023.
“That’s about perfect,” Strait said of the number. “I’ll have plenty of time off and still be able to scratch that itch that I have for live shows.”
Strait also wrapped his “Strait to Vegas” residency at the T-Mobile Arena in February. His Dec. 3 and 4 shows marked the 31st and 32nd shows of his residency, which began back in April 2016. The two shows sold 30,350 seats.
Strait said he “loves” playing T-Mobile Arena.
I love playing the T-Mobile Arena. It’s the first place we played after taking almost two years off after the “Cowboy Rides Away Tour.” I was extremely nervous that first night, but after walking on stage it was like we never left,” he explained. “It was brand new at the time and the acoustics are great in there, which is not always so for arenas. I’m not sure how long we’ll play there … but a few more, I reckon.”
Besides his two dates at the Moody Center in Austin, the “King of Country Music” will play one more show on July 30 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
