Northern Virginia got a cool drink of water Saturday night, June 13, 2009, and it was delivered by none other than the multi Country Music Awards winning artist George Strait.
Taking the stage to the theme song, “Deep in the Heart of Texas”, accompanied by the “Ace in the Hole” band, and drew the audience to him like flies to honey with his Texas accent, southern charm, and boyish smile.
The Nissan Pavilion in Bristow, Virginia was filled with over 20,000 plus fans when he opened with “I Wanna Dance with You” and followed it up with some of his hits including “Oceanfront Property”, “Run”, “The Chair”, and “I Saw God Today”, during which time a summertime thunderstorm you would have thought he brought with him from Texas crept up on the outdoor arena and the crowd still sang and two stepped along with him, not letting the rain dampen a thing except themselves.
He took the time afterwards to introduce every member of the “Ace in the Hole” band, after which he roused the crowd once more by playing several others of his well known songs such as “The Fireman”, “I Can Still Make Cheyenne”, “Check Yes or No”. He also took the time to dedicate “How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls” to all the Cowgirls in the audience, then he debuted one of his newest singles “Living for the Night”.
He left the stage at one point during the show, the lights went out and the crowd started chanting his name, wanting an encore, to which he delightfully delivered to all in attendance.
He came back on stage to end the show with a tribute to the late, legendary, Johnny Cash by playing “Folsom Prison Blues” and he left the stage ending a nearly 2 hour concert after singing “The Cowboy Rides Away”.
George Strait is the last of a dying breed. The true blue performer who puts on an exceptional stage show with coordinating light displays, pictures &videos on the big screens in the background to each song that make you feel like you’re getting a personal view of him and his Texas heritage, with an accompanying band that plays to pretty much perfection, and harkened back to the past when the band consisted of more than just guitars and drums.
Yes, it’s true; he doesn’t dance around or perform any stage antics. He does just stand there & sing as he is known for.
He interacts beautifully with his audience and they show their appreciation and love for him and his music in return. He lets his music be center stage, as it should be.
