George Strait Mourns The Passing Of Songwriter And Friend Kent Finlay

George Strait is mourning the loss of one of his closest friends. Kent Finlay, owner of a composer and a club based in Texas who helped Strait land his first concert, died Monday (March 2), at home in Martindale, Texas. He was 77 years old.

Finlay was the owner Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos, Texas, where Strait first played with his band, The Big Carnival, October 13, 1975. In 1977, Finlay and composer Daryl was Staedtler who began making trips to Nashville with a narrow, in a pickup truck.

"The truth of the matter is that every major label transmitted George Strait," said Finlay Tennessean of Nashville last year. "That van had two seats and a camp bed in the back. We took turns driving and riding and sleeping in the cradle".

Finlay also defended many now famous composers. Cheatham Street Warehouse has hosted an open mic night composers most Wednesdays for over 40 years.

"[1987] was the most exciting year," said Finlay Austin 360. "The regulars at night composers' I and a bunch of nobodies were: Todd Snider, James McMurtry, Terri Hendrix, Bruce Robison, Hal Ketchum, John Arthur Martinez and sometimes Tish Hinojosa. Those were the basic standard, and no one had ever heard of them. "

Still, even with all the artists who passed through the doors of Cheatham Street Warehouse, Finlay always had a weakness for the narrow, whom he credited with reshaping the future of country music.

"[Merle] Haggard did his part, but George saved the country music at that time," Finlay said. "After George and Ricky Skaggs [] once, all those pop acts began to lose their bids, and the record began to go out and find people like Randy Travis".

Strait still has fond memories of the little club that gave him his start.

"It's as unique as you are in the middle of a song and a train comes roaring down," says Strait. "From Cheatham Street Warehouse is located right next to the train tracks, that's what it is. You just start to play harder".

In the eyes of the legend of country music, Finlay loss affects the entire community of country music, and beyond.

"Country music - and only music really all - lost a great friend today," Strait said in a statement. "His legend will live forever in Texas, though. We will never forget our friend Kent Finlay. Sad day".

Finlay survived by his former wife, Diana Hendricks, three children, a granddaughter, three brothers and a sister. The boot extends our condolences to his family.