Chesney On Strait’s Last Show

Kenny Chesney will be the first to admit he’s a George Strait “wanna-be.”  He’d also say that being on George Strait’s stadium tour for two years changed his career.  So when Kenny had the opportunity to be a part of George’s Cowboy Rides Away Tour this year, he took it.  Kenny played two shows on the tour: The first in Nashville in March, and then the final show in Dallas.  Country Countdown USA’s Lon Helton was also at the final show, and spoke to Kenny about that night:

Tell me about being on that show:  “To be a part of being on his stadium tour for two years was probably the most important two summers of my touring life.  I learned so much from him and his organization.  But to be a part of his last show in Dallas was emotional for everyone.  That was very hard and spiritual.  Back in Johnson City TN, I played in a lot of small bars in front of a tip jar, and I played Ocean Front Property and The Fireman a lot.  So to be up there on stage with George singing those two songs, knowing where you started, and he was your hero, to be up there singing with him on those two songs that you sang in college for free enchiladas and tips, it was surreal, it was emotional, and it was one of those moments you can’t buy.  It was just a life moment I wouldn’t take anything for.  Then you look over, everyone who was part of that night, it was so special for everybody.  When George sang the last song, ‘This is Where the Cowboy Rides Away,’ and I’m fightin’ it a little bit, and Miranda Lambert is sobbing!  And I didn’t need to see that.  I didn’t want to be sobbing with Miranda, but I almost did because it meant so much for everybody.  So I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything.  It’s because so much of our lives are invested in what we do and in our our genre, and George Strait has been a constant mainstay for so long, and to see him up there singing that song and saying goodbye was tough.”

This week, you’ll hear that exact moment when Kenny Chesney & George Strait sang “Ocean Front Property” at the final Cowboy Rides Away Concert.  The album containing that duet, as well as other all-star moments, “George Strait: Live From AT&T Stadium,” will be released Tuesday September 16.

George Strait, ‘The Cowboy Rides Away: Live From AT&T Stadium’ Track Listing:
1. ‘Check Yes or No’
2. ‘The Love Bug’ (with Vince Gill)
3. ‘Fool Hearted Memory’ (with Jason Aldean)
4. ‘Arkansas Dave’ (with Bubba Strait)
5. ‘Cowboys Like Us’ (with Eric Church)
6. ‘That’s What Breaking Hearts Do’
7. ‘Marina Del Rey’
8. ‘Here For a Good Time’ (with Sheryl Crow)
9. ‘I Can Still Make Cheyenne’
10. ‘Jackson’ (with Martina McBride)
11. ‘A Showman’s Life’ (with Faith Hill)
12. ‘Murder on Music Row’ (with Alan Jackson)
13. ‘The Chair’
14. ‘Give It All We Got Tonight’
15. ‘Run’ (with Miranda Lambert)
16. ‘I’ll Always Remember You’
17. ‘Ocean Front Property’ (with Kenny Chesney)
18. ‘Troubadour’
19. ‘All My Ex’s Live in Texas’ (with Jason Aldean, Ray Benson, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride)
20. ‘The Cowboy Rides Away’

Tags: chesney, strait

Category: Audio