George Strait (1952–), country singer and gentleman cowboy, was born in Poteet, Texas. He grew up working on his family’s 2,000-acre cattle ranch, singing Merle Haggard, George Jones, and Hank Williams songs as he taught himself the guitar.

After high school, Strait enlisted in the Army and joined a band while stationed in Hawaii at Schofield Barracks. “I always knew I wanted to be a country singer, but it wasn’t until I got to Hawaii that I really got serious about it,” he said. In 1981, he signed with MCA and recorded his first Top 10 hit, Unwound.

Nicknamed “the Pope of Texas,” Strait is known for his white hat, honky-tonk sound, and sentimental ballads. All of his albums have certified gold or better. His soundtrack for Pure Country (1992) sold over five million copies.

“George is the gentleman cowboy we all used to dream about,” said Patty Loveless. USA Today once asked, “Is country music getting worse — or is George just getting better and better?”

With a degree in Agriculture from Southwest Texas State and a ranch in San Marcos, Strait continues to inspire with a legacy of heartfelt country standards. As Garth Brooks put it, “I am doing what I am doing because of the good Lord, my family, and George Strait.”