George Strait Shatters Attendance Record With Final "Cowboy Rides Away Tour" Show

George Strait has set many records in his illustrious career: as many No. 1 singles of any artist in any genre, the only artist to chart a Top 10 hit every year for 30 years, and most No. 1 albums , gold albums, and platinum albums in the history of country music to name a few.

On Saturday night, the King of Country Music scored another achievement career by breaking an attendance record low ceiling concerts for North America initially set by The Rolling Stones in 1981, according to a press release. With 104,793 attendees and the biggest names in country music will come together for the final journey of "Quicken Loans Presents: The Cowboy Rides Away Tour", the reigning Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year took fans on a three-hour trip down memory lane through 40 songs from throughout his illustrious career, including 20 of his massive 60 No. 1 hits.



Strait appeared on stage after an introduction of warm welcome from good friend Ray Benson, the opening of artists asleep at the wheel. The King of Country seemed to be in awe of the sheer size of the crowd, and after waiting for the applause to subside after its opening song "Check Yes Or No", addressed the crowd with his trademark smile and echoing of its expression, said, "I cannot tell you how excited I am to be here tonight, has been on my mind since we started this journey two years ago!"

Shortly after two songs-just-welcomed the first of their nine special guests - Oklahoma native and fellow Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill - night to the stage that means the beginning of a historical musical journey that shows more 30 years of classical Strait.

Other special guests last date of the Strait "The Cowboy Rides Away Tour" includes Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, Eric Church, Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, Sheryl Crow, Martina McBride and Alan Jackson. Check out videos of performances by Vince and Miranda with Texas troubadour below.

"In the 33 years since his auspicious debut album 1981," Strait Country, "the Frank Sinatra of country music reigned supreme elegance and firmly on a constantly changing business landscape. While the country music industry struggled with his identity in an effort to increase their bottom line, Strait stayed the course. Made traditional country music uncompromising and never fell out of favor with the fickle dial radio, "Dallas Morning News' Mario Tarradell said.

Strait told People magazine: "I knew it would be a bit emotional but it was still a little surprised to feel the force the first three or four concerts in 2013 were the hardest, but every night I was in the background. My mind to take it all in, because you probably would never go back there again. Felt like I put the best show I've done there. Hope did. I feel like we did. "

To add to the emotional burden that fills the air with AT & T Stadium was the retirement of Bruce Hardy, who also held more than 30 years in the industry as the general manager of Texas Stadium and the current home of the Dallas Cowboys and stadium farewell tour Strait, AT & T stadium. Hardy certainly echoed the sentiment Strait after the performance of "President" as the crowd roared and superstar revealed, "That's what I'll miss the most right there."

Amid the shock, Narrow stopped a very special moment and continued his tradition of presenting a home as part of the Military Warriors Support Foundation turns "Homes 4 Wounded Heroes." Sergeant First Class Leroy Arthur Petry, a Medal of Honor recipient, and his wife Ashley were recognized as recipients 51a of the tour and received a house than a million dollars in the Dallas area.

The presentations were made possible source 2013-2014 through the old Strait friend, Lieutenant General Leroy Sisco, US Army (Retired). The houses available for the program are donated to the foundation through partnerships and as said in the first 2013's show Strait in Lubbock, Texas, were awarded to at least one service member at each stop of the tour "The Cowboy Rides Away Tour." In addition to houses, all the beneficiary families of the tour stops also received food for one year from Walmart, a flat-screen TV and a CD collection of George Strait whole.

In addition to charitable contributions through the program at home, Strait also associated with DIC Entertainment to facilitate a charity auction at each stop of the tour in 2013 and 2014 including front row tickets Troubadour package, a meet and greet with narrow, and more. After 2014 the final tour stop in Dallas, the program has raised $ 1,325,619 for Jenifer Strait Foundation ($ 239.302 in 2013 and $ 1,086,317 in 2014) with more than 3,000 people housed 500 VIP tickets and packages housed .