Country music star performs final Bay Area show<\/p>\n
A sold-out crowd rose to its feet and cheered as the ultimate cowboy took the stage in San Jose at the SAP Center on Jan. 30.<\/p>\n
This will be one of George Strait\u2019s last concerts; but he is not retiring yet, as he plans to still record music.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The 71-year-old musician began his career in 1981 with the album \u201cStrait Country,\u201d and has released an album almost every year since then.<\/p>\n
It may be for the best that Strait will no longer be touring since he appeared to be lacking energy and stage presence.<\/p>\n
He performed an expanded 30-song set list full of mellow performances that encouraged audience members to take a catnap or leave their seats to get a beer.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was much more energetic when he was younger and smiled more,\u201d said Robert Collins, 42, engineer. \u201cHe\u2019s starting to show his age, but he\u2019s still one of the greatest country singers alive.\u201d<\/p>\n
The show opened with the rambunctious oldie hit \u201cThe Fireman,\u201d and closed with his newer song \u201cThe Cowboy Rides Away,\u201d which is also the name of the current tour.<\/p>\n
The stage was placed in the center of the stadium with no set pieces or decorations, but surrounded by 360 degrees of fans.<\/p>\n
Looking like a typical conservative parent, Strait wore an off-white dress shirt, faded blue jeans and a black cowboy hat.<\/p>\n
It seemed many of his most popular songs, such as \u201cCarried Away,\u201d \u201cThe Best Day\u201d and \u201cWrite This Down\u201d were excluded from the show.<\/p>\n
Strait took a break from performing to honor some organizations and reward a disabled veteran with a new house.<\/p>\n
A highlight of the show was when Martina McBride, who was an opening act, joined Strait on stage to perform the 1960s classic \u201cJackson.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe best parts of the show for me are when George talks to the audience and makes you aware he is down-home as you are,\u201d said Christine Williams, 28, receptionist. \u201cHe doesn\u2019t come off as a millionaire superstar; his songs relate to my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
McBride has some of the best vocals in country music, but she could have been a better performer.<\/p>\n
She performed for about an hour, and cut out some of her best hits, such as \u201cConcrete Angel\u201d and \u201cHow Far.\u201d<\/p>\n
The set opened with the rowdy single \u201cWhen God-Fearin\u2019 Women Get the Blues\u201d and closed with the empowering anthems, \u201cA Broken Wing\u201d and \u201cIndependence Day.\u201d<\/p>\n
McBride also did a cover of the 1972 hit \u201cIf You Don\u2019t Know Me By Now,\u201d and then revealed she will have a new album out April 8 that will have cover songs from Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley and more.<\/p>\n
This farewell tour of Strait possibly marks the dying out of traditional country music.<\/p>\n
\u201cGeorge is the last of a dying breed of traditional country artist that is still performing today,\u201d said Shelly Dunham, 25, college student.<\/p>\n
More and more country acts are expected to be capable of crossing over into pop music. Songs from Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Hunter Hayes and more can be heard on pop radio.<\/p>\n
Keith Urban and Blake Shelton are both on reality shows while Florida Georgia Line and Tim McGraw have both collaborated with rapper Nelly.<\/p>\n
Strait will perform a few shows each month before his last show on June 7 in Arlington, Texas. It will feature opening acts including Alan Jackson, Faith Hill and Kenny Chesney, ensuring the cowboy will go out with a bang.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Country music star performs final Bay Area show A sold-out crowd rose to its feet and cheered as the ultimate cowboy took the stage in San Jose at the SAP Center on Jan. 30. This will be one of George Strait\u2019s last concerts; but he is not retiring yet, as he plans to still record…<\/p>","protected":false},"author":88904,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"staff_name":[629],"class_list":["post-9138","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-arts-entertainment","staff_name-justin-san-diego"],"yoast_head":"\n