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{{Infobox concert tour
{{Short description|2013–14 concert tour by George Strait}}
{{Infobox concert
| concert_tour_name = The Cowboy Rides Away Tour
| concert_tour_name = The Cowboy Rides Away Tour
| image = The Cowboy Rides Away Tour Poster.png
| image = The Cowboy Rides Away Tour Poster.png
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'''The Cowboy Rides Away Tour''' was a concert tour by American country music artist [[George Strait]]. The tour was divided into two legs: 21 concerts in 2013 and 27 concerts in 2014, for a total of 48 concerts, all in the United States. The tour started on January 18, 2013 in [[Lubbock, Texas]], and ended in [[Arlington, Texas]], on June 7, 2014. Strait was supported on the tour by his longtime eleven-member touring group, the [[Ace in the Hole Band]]. Appearing in arenas with six stadium dates included, Strait performed many of his most popular recordings and performance songs, including uptempo hits such as "Here for a Good Time", "Ocean Front Property", "How 'Bout Them Cowgirls", and "Troubadour", and softer ballads such as "I Saw God Today", "The Chair", and "I Can Still Make Cheyenne". His encores included "All My Ex's Live in Texas" and "Folsom Prison Blues", and he closed each show with one of his earliest hit songs, "The Cowboy Rides Away". This song that inspired the name for the tour was written by [[Sonny Throckmorton]] and [[Casey Kelly (songwriter)|Casey Kelly]].
'''The Cowboy Rides Away Tour''' was a concert tour by American country music artist [[George Strait]]. The tour was divided into two legs: 21 concerts in 2013 and 27 concerts in 2014, for a total of 48 concerts, all in the United States. The tour started on January 18, 2013 in [[Lubbock, Texas]], and ended in [[Arlington, Texas]], on June 7, 2014. Strait was supported on the tour by his longtime eleven-member touring group, the [[Ace in the Hole Band]]. Appearing in arenas with six stadium dates included, Strait performed many of his most popular recordings and performance songs, including uptempo hits such as "Here for a Good Time", "Ocean Front Property", "How 'Bout Them Cowgirls", and "Troubadour", and softer ballads such as "I Saw God Today", "The Chair", and "I Can Still Make Cheyenne". His encores included "All My Ex's Live in Texas" and "Folsom Prison Blues", and he closed each show with one of his earliest hit songs, "The Cowboy Rides Away". This song that inspired the name for the tour was written by [[Sonny Throckmorton]] and [[Casey Kelly (songwriter)|Casey Kelly]].


The tour received positive reviews, with one reviewer calling his shows "an embarrassment of riches",<ref name="woodbury"/> and another recognizing Strait's "compelling stage presence and vocal power".<ref name="billboard-duffy"/> All 48 concerts were sold out, and for the week of February 7, 2014, the Cowboy Rides Away Tour was the top-grossing tour in the United States. The final concert at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, which featured special guests [[Martina McBride]], [[Kenny Chesney]], [[Eric Church]], [[Vince Gill]], [[Jason Aldean]], [[Faith Hill]], [[Alan Jackson]], [[Miranda Lambert]], and [[Sheryl Crow]], drew 104,793 fans—the largest attendance at a single-show concert in the United States, as well as the largest attendance at an “indoor” concert in U.S. history. The concert also set a record for the largest gross at a single-show country concert, $18,194,374. In 2013 he was named [[Country Music Association]] Entertainer of the Year, and in 2014 he was named [[Academy of Country Music]] Entertainer of the Year.
The tour received positive reviews, with one reviewer calling his shows "an embarrassment of riches",<ref name="woodbury"/> and another recognizing Strait's "compelling stage presence and vocal power".<ref name="billboard-duffy"/> All 48 concerts were sold out, and for the week of February 7, 2014, the Cowboy Rides Away Tour was the top-grossing tour in the United States. The final concert at [[AT&T Stadium]] in Arlington, Texas, which featured special guests [[Martina McBride]], [[Kenny Chesney]], [[Eric Church]], [[Vince Gill]], [[Jason Aldean]], [[Faith Hill]], [[Alan Jackson]], [[Miranda Lambert]], and [[Sheryl Crow]], drew 104,793 fans—the largest attendance at a single-show concert in the United States, as well as the largest attendance at any “indoor” concert in U.S. history. The concert also set a record for the largest gross at a single-show country concert, $18,194,374. In 2013 he was named [[Country Music Association]] Entertainer of the Year, and in 2014 he was named [[Academy of Country Music]] Entertainer of the Year.


==Background==
==Background==
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Strait's setlist typically consisted of a mix of his most popular recordings and performance songs, including uptempo hits like "Here for a Good Time", "Ocean Front Property", "Check Yes or No", "Marina Del Rey", "How 'Bout Them Cowgirls", "Give It Away", "Amarillo by Morning", and "Troubadour", offset by softer ballads like "I Saw God Today", "The Chair", "Living for the Night", "I Can Still Make Cheyenne", and "I'll Always Remember You". His performances were delivered "with no flash or hurry".<ref name="freeman"/> Strait's set was briefly interrupted by a ten-minute presentation given by Retired General Leroy Sisco of the Military Warriors Support Foundation to honor a wounded serviceman with the gift of a house.<ref name="woodbury"/> Strait typically performed three to five encore songs, including "All My Ex's Live in Texas" and "Folsum Prison Blues", one of a handful of cover songs he adds to the set each concert. Strait closed each show with one of his earliest hit songs, "The Cowboy Rides Away".<ref name="woodbury"/>
Strait's setlist typically consisted of a mix of his most popular recordings and performance songs, including uptempo hits like "Here for a Good Time", "Ocean Front Property", "Check Yes or No", "Marina Del Rey", "How 'Bout Them Cowgirls", "Give It Away", "Amarillo by Morning", and "Troubadour", offset by softer ballads like "I Saw God Today", "The Chair", "Living for the Night", "I Can Still Make Cheyenne", and "I'll Always Remember You". His performances were delivered "with no flash or hurry".<ref name="freeman"/> Strait's set was briefly interrupted by a ten-minute presentation given by Retired General Leroy Sisco of the Military Warriors Support Foundation to honor a wounded serviceman with the gift of a house.<ref name="woodbury"/> Strait typically performed three to five encore songs, including "All My Ex's Live in Texas" and "Folsum Prison Blues", one of a handful of cover songs he adds to the set each concert. Strait closed each show with one of his earliest hit songs, "The Cowboy Rides Away".<ref name="woodbury"/>


The Cowboy Rides Away Tour closed with three stadium concerts. At the final concert on June 7, 2014 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Martina McBride joined an all-star bill that included [[Kenny Chesney]], [[Eric Church]], [[Vince Gill]], [[Faith Hill]], [[Alan Jackson]], [[Miranda Lambert]], [[Lee Ann Womack]], [[Sheryl Crow]], and [[Asleep at the Wheel]].<ref name="billboard-allen"/> The concert drew 104,793 fans—the largest attendance at a single-show concert in the United States.<ref name="billboard-allen"/> The concert also set a record for the largest gross at a single-show country concert, $18,194,374.<ref name="billboard-allen"/> A live album recorded from the final concert in Arlington titled ''[[The Cowboy Rides Away: Live from AT&T Stadium]]'' was released on September 16, 2014, with a DVD of the concert being released on November 10, 2014, with Walmart exclusively releasing a deluxe edition including the cd as well.<ref name="the-boot"/> On August 29, 2014, the [[Country Music Television]] channel broadcast a two-hour concert special of the event titled ''George Strait: The Cowboy Rides Away''.<ref name="the-boot"/> The concert was recorded by Chuck Ainlay with David Hewitt on Remote Recording's Silver Truck.
The Cowboy Rides Away Tour closed with three stadium concerts. At the final concert on June 7, 2014 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Martina McBride joined an all-star bill that included [[Kenny Chesney]], [[Eric Church]], [[Vince Gill]], [[Faith Hill]], [[Alan Jackson]], [[Miranda Lambert]], [[Lee Ann Womack]], [[Sheryl Crow]], and [[Asleep at the Wheel]].<ref name="billboard-allen"/> The concert drew 104,793 fans—the largest attendance at a single-headliner concert in the United States<ref name="billboard-allen"/> until he broke his own record on Saturday, June 15, 2024, with a concert at Kyle Field at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, with 110,905 fans in attendance.<ref> https://www.billboard.com/music/country/george-strait-breaks-concert-attendance-record-1235710814/</ref> The Arlington concert also set a record for the largest gross at a single-show country concert, $18,194,374.<ref name="billboard-allen"/> A live album recorded from the final concert in Arlington titled ''[[The Cowboy Rides Away: Live from AT&T Stadium]]'' was released on September 16, 2014, with a DVD of the concert being released on November 10, 2014, with Walmart exclusively releasing a deluxe edition including the cd as well.<ref name="the-boot"/> On August 29, 2014, the [[Country Music Television]] channel broadcast a two-hour concert special of the event titled ''George Strait: The Cowboy Rides Away''.<ref name="the-boot"/> The concert was recorded by Chuck Ainlay with David Hewitt on Remote Recording's Silver Truck.


During the first leg of the tour, Strait was named the [[Country Music Association]] Entertainer of the Year in November 2013.<ref name="latimes-lewis"/> During the second leg of the tour, he was named the [[Academy of Country Music]] Entertainer of the Year in April 2014.<ref name="hp-talbott"/>
During the first leg of the tour, Strait was named the [[Country Music Association]] Entertainer of the Year in November 2013.<ref name="latimes-lewis"/> During the second leg of the tour, he was named the [[Academy of Country Music]] Entertainer of the Year in April 2014.<ref name="hp-talbott"/>
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==Critical response==
==Critical response==
In his review for the ''Austin Chronicle'', Doug Freeman praised the artist's performance for the first concert of the 2014 leg of the tour, and his selection of songs that "only skim the depth of his catalog".<ref name="freeman"/> Freeman noted that despite the changes that have taken place in popular country music, Strait has "remained the genre's compass".<ref name="freeman"/> Freeman concluded:
In his review for the ''Austin Chronicle'', Doug Freeman praised the artist's performance for the first concert of the 2014 leg of the tour, and his selection of songs that "only skim the depth of his catalog".<ref name="freeman"/> Freeman noted that despite the changes that have taken place in popular country music, Strait has "remained the genre's compass".<ref name="freeman"/> Freeman concluded:
{{quote|Perhaps most remarkable was the vibrancy of Strait's voice throughout the epic set. Though each song was delivered with a consistency that matched their familiar studio versions, his vocals remained equally sharp and subtle, whether diving low and textured on "Drinkin' Man" or smoothly drawled on "I Can Still Make Cheyenne".<ref name="freeman"/>}}
{{blockquote|Perhaps most remarkable was the vibrancy of Strait's voice throughout the epic set. Though each song was delivered with a consistency that matched their familiar studio versions, his vocals remained equally sharp and subtle, whether diving low and textured on "Drinkin' Man" or smoothly drawled on "I Can Still Make Cheyenne".<ref name="freeman"/>}}


In his review for AZCentral, Jason P. Woodbury praised Strait's February 7, 2014 concert at the US Airways Center in Phoenix, calling his performance "an embarrassment of riches".<ref name="woodbury"/> Woodbury observed:
In his review for AZCentral, Jason P. Woodbury praised Strait's February 7, 2014 concert at the US Airways Center in Phoenix, calling his performance "an embarrassment of riches".<ref name="woodbury"/> Woodbury observed:
{{quote|The crowd, the absolute loudest crowd I've ever heard, couldn't have asked for more. Strait is a rare kind of superstar, one whose command over the crowd isn't rooted in bombastic theatrics or flashy pyrotechnics. No, Strait's presentation is understated, classy, and sly, and his songs ... match Strait's steady charisma.<ref name="woodbury"/>}}
{{blockquote|The crowd, the absolute loudest crowd I've ever heard, couldn't have asked for more. Strait is a rare kind of superstar, one whose command over the crowd isn't rooted in bombastic theatrics or flashy pyrotechnics. No, Strait's presentation is understated, classy, and sly, and his songs ... match Strait's steady charisma.<ref name="woodbury"/>}}
Woodbury concluded, "He's a subtle performer, and the classic sense of regret and longing he brings to songs like 'You Look So Good in Love', 'Nobody in His Right Mind Would've Left Here', and 'A Fire I Can't Put Out' is tempered by soft humor and wit."<ref name="woodbury"/>
Woodbury concluded, "He's a subtle performer, and the classic sense of regret and longing he brings to songs like 'You Look So Good in Love', 'Nobody in His Right Mind Would've Left Here', and 'A Fire I Can't Put Out' is tempered by soft humor and wit."<ref name="woodbury"/>


In his review for ''Billboard'' magazine, Thom Duffy praised Strait's March 1, 2014 performance at the Prudential Center in Newark, noting his ability to "turn musical moods at ease, as if guiding a favorite horse on a tricky trail".<ref name="billboard-duffy"/> Duffy concluded:
In his review for ''Billboard'' magazine, Thom Duffy praised Strait's March 1, 2014 performance at the Prudential Center in Newark, noting his ability to "turn musical moods at ease, as if guiding a favorite horse on a tricky trail".<ref name="billboard-duffy"/> Duffy concluded:
{{quote|Strait's ability to move his audiences remains undeniable, even on this final tour. No doubt, his talent lies first in an unerring skill at picking remarkable songs from among the finest writers in Nashville and beyond. But beyond his song choices and his amazing band, Strait on Saturday showed compelling stage presence and vocal power. ... There are few other great American vocalists in any genre—the late Frank Sinatra comes to mind—who can convey intense emotion with such effortlessness and understatement as George Strait.<ref name="billboard-duffy"/>}}
{{blockquote|Strait's ability to move his audiences remains undeniable, even on this final tour. No doubt, his talent lies first in an unerring skill at picking remarkable songs from among the finest writers in Nashville and beyond. But beyond his song choices and his amazing band, Strait on Saturday showed compelling stage presence and vocal power. ... There are few other great American vocalists in any genre—the late Frank Sinatra comes to mind—who can convey intense emotion with such effortlessness and understatement as George Strait.<ref name="billboard-duffy"/>}}


For the week of February 7, 2014, the Cowboy Rides Away Tour was the top-grossing tour in the United States, earning $6.4 million in four sold out arena concerts.<ref name="billboard-allen-2"/>
For the week of February 7, 2014, the Cowboy Rides Away Tour was the top-grossing tour in the United States, earning $6.4 million in four sold out arena concerts.<ref name="billboard-allen-2"/>
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!width="150"|Date
!width="150"|Date
!width="150"|City
!width="150"|City
!width="150"|State
!width="250"|Venue
!width="250"|Venue
!width="150"|Special Guests
!width="150"|Special Guests
!width="50"|Setlist
|-
|-
|- style="background:#ddd;"
|- style="background:#ddd;"
|colspan="6"|'''2013'''
| colspan="4" |'''2013'''
|-
|-
|January 18, 2013
|January 18, 2013
|[[Lubbock, Texas|Lubbock]]
|[[Lubbock, Texas|Lubbock]]
|[[Texas]]
|[[United Spirit Arena]]
|[[United Spirit Arena]]
|rowspan="20"|[[Martina McBride]]
|rowspan="13"|[[Martina McBride]]
|1
|-
|-
|January 19, 2013
|January 19, 2013
|[[Oklahoma City]]
|[[Oklahoma City]]
|[[Oklahoma]]
|[[Chesapeake Energy Arena]]
|[[Chesapeake Energy Arena]]
|1
|-
|-
|January 25, 2013
|January 25, 2013
|[[Salt Lake City]]
|[[Salt Lake City]]
|[[Vivint Smart Home Arena|EnergySolutions Arena]]
|[[Utah]]
|[[EnergySolutions Arena]]
|
|-
|-
|January 26, 2013
|January 26, 2013
|[[Nampa, Idaho|Nampa]]
|[[Nampa, Idaho|Nampa]]
|[[Idaho]]
|[[Idaho Center]]
|[[Idaho Center]]
|
|-
|-
|January 31, 2013
|January 31, 2013
|[[Sacramento, California|Sacramento]]
|[[Sacramento, California|Sacramento]]
|rowspan="2"|[[California]]
|[[Sleep Train Arena]]
|[[Sleep Train Arena]]
|
|-
|-
|February 1, 2013
|February 1, 2013
|[[Fresno, California|Fresno]]
|[[Fresno, California|Fresno]]
|[[Save Mart Center]]
|[[Save Mart Center]]
|
|-
|-
|February 2, 2013
|February 2, 2013
|[[Las Vegas]]
|[[Las Vegas]]
|[[Nevada]]
|[[MGM Grand Garden Arena]]
|[[MGM Grand Garden Arena]]
|
|-
|-
|February 15, 2013
|February 15, 2013
|[[Saint Paul, Minnesota|St. Paul]]
|[[Saint Paul, Minnesota|St. Paul]]
|[[Minnesota]]
|[[Xcel Energy Center]]
|[[Xcel Energy Center]]
|2
|-
|-
|February 16, 2013
|February 16, 2013
|[[Grand Forks, North Dakota|Grand Forks]]
|[[Grand Forks, North Dakota|Grand Forks]]
|[[North Dakota]]
|[[Alerus Center]]
|[[Alerus Center]]
|3
|-
|-
|February 22, 2013
|February 22, 2013
|[[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]]
|[[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]]
|[[New York (state)|New York]]
|[[First Niagara Center]]
|[[First Niagara Center]]
|4
|-
|-
|February 23, 2013
|February 23, 2013
|[[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]]
|[[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]]
|[[Connecticut]]
|[[XL Center]]
|[[XL Center]]
|5
|-
|-
|March 1, 2013
|March 1, 2013
|[[Knoxville, Tennessee|Knoxville]]
|[[Knoxville, Tennessee|Knoxville]]
|[[Tennessee]]
|[[Thompson–Boling Arena]]
|[[Thompson–Boling Arena]]
|
|-
|-
|March 2, 2013
|March 2, 2013
|[[Lexington, Kentucky|Lexington]]
|[[Lexington, Kentucky|Lexington]]
|[[Kentucky]]
|[[Rupp Arena]]
|[[Rupp Arena]]
|6
|-
|-
|March 17, 2013
|March 17, 2013
|[[Houston]]
|[[Houston]]
|Texas
|[[Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo]]
|[[Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo]]
|[[Martina McBride]]<br/>Randy Rogers Band
|7
|-
|-
|March 22, 2013
|March 22, 2013
|[[Greenville, South Carolina|Greenville]]
|[[Greenville, South Carolina|Greenville]]
|[[Bon Secours Wellness Arena|Bi-Lo Center]]
|[[South Carolina]]
|rowspan="6"|Martina McBride
|[[Bi-Lo Center]]
|8
|-
|-
|March 23, 2013
|March 23, 2013
|[[Greensboro, North Carolina|Greensboro]]
|[[Greensboro, North Carolina|Greensboro]]
|[[North Carolina]]
|[[Greensboro Coliseum]]
|[[Greensboro Coliseum]]
|9
|-
|-
|April 5, 2013
|April 5, 2013
|[[Albuquerque, New Mexico|Albuquerque]]
|[[Albuquerque, New Mexico|Albuquerque]]
|rowspan="2"|[[New Mexico]]
|[[The Pit (arena)|The Pit]]
|[[The Pit (arena)|The Pit]]
|10
|-
|-
|April 6, 2013
|April 6, 2013
|[[Las Cruces, New Mexico|Las Cruces]]
|[[Las Cruces, New Mexico|Las Cruces]]
|[[Pan American Center]]
|[[Pan American Center]]
|
|-
|-
|April 12, 2013
|April 12, 2013
|[[North Little Rock, Arkansas|North Little Rock]]
|[[North Little Rock, Arkansas|North Little Rock]]
|[[Arkansas]]
|[[Verizon Arena]]
|[[Verizon Arena]]
|11
|-
|-
|April 13, 2013
|April 13, 2013
|[[New Orleans]]
|[[New Orleans]]
|[[Smoothie King Center|New Orleans Arena]]
|[[Louisiana]]
|[[New Orleans Arena]]
|12
|-
|-
|June 1, 2013
|June 1, 2013
|[[San Antonio]]
|[[San Antonio]]
|Texas
|[[Alamodome]]
|[[Alamodome]]
|[[Miranda Lambert]]<br />Martina McBride
|[[Miranda Lambert]]<br/>Martina McBride
|13
|-
|-
|- style="background:#ddd;"
|- style="background:#ddd;"
|colspan="6"|'''2014'''
| colspan="4" |'''2014'''
|-
|-
|January 9, 2014
|January 9, 2014
|[[Bossier City, Louisiana|Bossier City]]
|[[Bossier City, Louisiana|Bossier City]]
|Louisiana
|[[CenturyLink Center (Bossier City)|CenturyLink Center]]
|[[CenturyLink Center (Bossier City)|CenturyLink Center]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Jason Aldean]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Jason Aldean]]
|14
|-
|-
|January 10, 2014
|January 10, 2014
|[[Austin, Texas|Austin]]
|[[Austin, Texas|Austin]]
|Texas
|[[Frank Erwin Center]]
|[[Frank Erwin Center]]
|14
|-
|-
|January 17, 2014
|January 17, 2014
|[[Omaha, Nebraska|Omaha]]
|[[Omaha, Nebraska|Omaha]]
|[[Nebraska]]
|[[CenturyLink Center Omaha]]
|[[CenturyLink Center Omaha]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Eric Church]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Eric Church]]
|15
|-
|-
|January 18, 2014
|January 18, 2014
|[[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]]
|[[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]]
|[[Missouri]]
|[[Sprint Center]]
|[[Sprint Center]]
|16
|-
|-
|January 30, 2014
|January 30, 2014
|[[San Jose, California|San Jose]]
|[[San Jose, California|San Jose]]
|rowspan="2"|California
|[[SAP Center]]
|[[SAP Center]]
|Martina McBride
|Martina McBride
|17
|-
|-
|January 31, 2014
|January 31, 2014
Line 227: Line 178:
|[[Valley View Casino Center]]
|[[Valley View Casino Center]]
|rowspan="2"|Miranda Lambert
|rowspan="2"|Miranda Lambert
|18
|-
|-
|February 1, 2014
|February 1, 2014
|Las Vegas
|Las Vegas
|Nevada
|MGM Grand Garden Arena
|MGM Grand Garden Arena
|19
|-
|-
|February 7, 2014
|February 7, 2014
|[[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]]
|[[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]]
|[[Talking Stick Resort Arena|US Airways Center]]
|[[Arizona]]
|[[US Airways Center]]
|rowspan="2"|Martina McBride
|rowspan="2"|Martina McBride
|20
|-
|-
|February 8, 2014
|February 8, 2014
|Los Angeles
|Los Angeles
|California
|[[Staples Center]]
|[[Staples Center]]
|21
|-
|-
|February 14, 2014
|February 14, 2014
|[[Auburn Hills, Michigan|Auburn Hills]]
|[[Auburn Hills, Michigan|Auburn Hills]]
|[[Michigan]]
|[[The Palace of Auburn Hills]]
|[[The Palace of Auburn Hills]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Little Big Town]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Little Big Town]]
|22
|-
|-
|February 15, 2014
|February 15, 2014
|[[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]]
|[[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]]
|[[Ohio]]
|[[Nationwide Arena]]
|[[Nationwide Arena]]
|
|-
|-
|February 28, 2014
|February 28, 2014
|[[Philadelphia]]
|[[Philadelphia]]
|[[Pennsylvania]]
|[[Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia)|Wells Fargo Center]]
|[[Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia)|Wells Fargo Center]]
|rowspan="2"|Martina McBride
|rowspan="2"|Martina McBride
|23
|-
|-
|March 1, 2014
|March 1, 2014
|[[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]]
|[[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]]
|[[New Jersey]]
|[[Prudential Center]]
|[[Prudential Center]]
|23
|-
|-
|March 7, 2014
|March 7, 2014
|[[Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville]]
|[[Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville]]
|Kentucky
|[[KFC Yum! Center]]
|[[KFC Yum! Center]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Vince Gill]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Vince Gill]]
|24
|-
|-
|March 8, 2014
|March 8, 2014
|[[Rosemont, Illinois|Rosemont]]
|[[Rosemont, Illinois|Rosemont]]
|[[Illinois]]
|[[Allstate Arena]]
|[[Allstate Arena]]
|24
|-
|-
|March 21, 2014
|March 21, 2014
|[[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]]
|[[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]]
|[[Tennessee]]
|[[Bridgestone Arena]]
|[[Bridgestone Arena]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Sheryl Crow]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Sheryl Crow]]
|25
|-
|-
|March 22, 2014
|March 22, 2014
|[[Atlanta]]
|[[Atlanta]]
|[[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]
|[[State Farm Arena|Philips Arena]]
|[[Philips Arena]]
|26
|-
|-
|April 4, 2014
|April 4, 2014
|[[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita]]
|[[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita]]
|[[Kansas]]
|[[Intrust Bank Arena]]
|[[Intrust Bank Arena]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Lee Ann Womack]]<br />[[Merle Haggard]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Lee Ann Womack]]<br />[[Merle Haggard]]
|27
|-
|-
|April 5, 2014
|April 5, 2014
|[[Denver]]
|[[Denver]]
|[[Colorado]]
|[[Pepsi Center]]
|[[Pepsi Center]]
|27
|-
|-
|April 11, 2014
|April 11, 2014
|[[Portland, Oregon|Portland]]
|[[Portland, Oregon|Portland]]
|[[Oregon]]
|[[Moda Center]]
|[[Moda Center]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Chris Young (musician)|Chris Young]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Chris Young (singer)|Chris Young]]
|
|-
|-
|April 12, 2014
|April 12, 2014
|[[Tacoma, Washington|Tacoma]]
|[[Tacoma, Washington|Tacoma]]
|[[Washington (state)|Washington]]
|[[Tacoma Dome]]
|[[Tacoma Dome]]
|
|-
|-
|April 18, 2014
|April 18, 2014
|[[Des Moines, Iowa|Des Moines]]
|[[Des Moines, Iowa|Des Moines]]
|[[Iowa]]
|[[Wells Fargo Arena (Des Moines)|Wells Fargo Arena]]
|[[Wells Fargo Arena (Des Moines)|Wells Fargo Arena]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Ronnie Dunn]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Ronnie Dunn]]
|28
|-
|-
|April 19, 2014
|April 19, 2014
|[[Tulsa, Oklahoma|Tulsa]]
|[[Tulsa, Oklahoma|Tulsa]]
|Oklahoma
|[[BOK Center]]
|[[BOK Center]]
|28
|-
|-
|May 23, 2014
|May 23, 2014
|[[Baton Rouge, Louisiana|Baton Rouge]]
|[[Baton Rouge, Louisiana|Baton Rouge]]
|Louisiana
|[[Tiger Stadium (LSU)|LSU Tiger Stadium]]
|[[Tiger Stadium (LSU)|LSU Tiger Stadium]]
|Jason Aldean<br />[[Luke Bryan]]<br />Eric Church
|Jason Aldean<br />[[Luke Bryan]]<br />Eric Church
|29
|-
|-
|May 31, 2014
|May 31, 2014
|[[Foxborough, Massachusetts|Foxborough]]
|[[Foxborough, Massachusetts|Foxborough]]
|[[Massachusetts]]
|[[Gillette Stadium]]
|[[Gillette Stadium]]
|[[Tim McGraw]]<br />[[Faith Hill]]
|[[Tim McGraw]]<br />[[Faith Hill]]
|30
|-
|-
|June 5, 2014
|June 5, 2014
|[[Hidalgo, Texas|Hidalgo]]
|[[Hidalgo, Texas|Hidalgo]]
|[[Texas]]
|[[State Farm Arena (Hidalgo, Texas)|State Farm Arena]]
|[[State Farm Arena (Hidalgo, Texas)|State Farm Arena]]
|[[Kyle Park]]
|[[Kyle Park]]
|
|-
|-
|June 7, 2014
|June 7, 2014
|[[Arlington, Texas|Arlington]]
|[[Arlington, Texas|Arlington]]
|Texas
|[[AT&T Stadium]]
|[[AT&T Stadium]]
|Jason Aldean<br />[[Kenny Chesney]]<br />Eric Church<br />Ronnie Dunn<br />Vince Gill<br />Faith Hill<br />[[Alan Jackson]]<br />Miranda Lambert<br />Martina McBride<br />Lee Ann Womack<br />[[Asleep at the Wheel]]
|Jason Aldean<br />[[Kenny Chesney]]<br />Eric Church<br />Ronnie Dunn<br />Vince Gill<br />Faith Hill<br />[[Alan Jackson]]<br />Miranda Lambert<br />Martina McBride<br />Lee Ann Womack<br />[[Asleep at the Wheel]]
|31
|}
|}


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<ref name="freeman">{{cite news|last=Freeman |first=Doug |title=George Strait: The Cowboy Rides Away |newspaper=The Austin Chronicle |date=January 11, 2014 |url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/music/2014-01-11/george-strait-the-cowboy-rides-away/ |accessdate=March 4, 2014}}</ref>
<ref name="freeman">{{cite news|last=Freeman |first=Doug |title=George Strait: The Cowboy Rides Away |newspaper=The Austin Chronicle |date=January 11, 2014 |url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/music/2014-01-11/george-strait-the-cowboy-rides-away/ |accessdate=March 4, 2014}}</ref>


<ref name="gstd">{{cite web |title=George Strait Tour: 2013 and 2014 George Strait Concert Tour Dates |url=http://www.georgestraittourdates.com/index.html |publisher=George Strait Tour Dates |date= |accessdate=May 14, 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130412111648/http://www.georgestraittourdates.com/index.html |archivedate=April 12, 2013 |df= }}</ref>
<ref name="gstd">{{cite web |title=George Strait Tour: 2013 and 2014 George Strait Concert Tour Dates |url=http://www.georgestraittourdates.com/index.html |publisher=George Strait Tour Dates |accessdate=May 14, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130412111648/http://www.georgestraittourdates.com/index.html |archivedate=April 12, 2013 }}</ref>


<ref name="hp-talbott">{{cite web|last=Talbott |first=Chris |title=George Strait Wins Entertainer of the Year at 2014 ACM Awards |publisher=Huffington Post |date=April 7, 2014 |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/07/george-strait-acm-entertainer-of-the-year_n_5103909.html |accessdate=December 29, 2014}}</ref>
<ref name="hp-talbott">{{cite web|last=Talbott |first=Chris |title=George Strait Wins Entertainer of the Year at 2014 ACM Awards |publisher=Huffington Post |date=April 7, 2014 |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/07/george-strait-acm-entertainer-of-the-year_n_5103909.html |accessdate=December 29, 2014}}</ref>


<ref name="latimes-lewis">{{cite news|last=Lewis |first=Randy |title=CMA Awards: George Strait Nabs 18th Entertainer of the Year Honor |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=November 6, 2013 |url=http://articles.latimes.com/2013/nov/06/entertainment/la-et-ms-cma-awards-george-strait-18th-entertainer-honor-20131106 |accessdate=December 29, 2014}}</ref>
<ref name="latimes-lewis">{{cite news|last=Lewis |first=Randy |title=CMA Awards: George Strait Nabs 18th Entertainer of the Year Honor |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=November 6, 2013 |url=http://articles.latimes.com/2013/nov/06/entertainment/la-et-ms-cma-awards-george-strait-18th-entertainer-honor-20131106 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105161953/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/nov/06/entertainment/la-et-ms-cma-awards-george-strait-18th-entertainer-honor-20131106 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 5, 2014 |accessdate=December 29, 2014}}</ref>


<ref name="musicrow-skates">{{cite web|last=Skates |first=Sarah |title=George Strait Announces Final Tour |url=http://www.musicrow.com/2012/09/george-strait-announces-final-tour/ |publisher=MusicRow |date=September 26, 2012 |accessdate=September 26, 2012}}</ref>
<ref name="musicrow-skates">{{cite web|last=Skates |first=Sarah |title=George Strait Announces Final Tour |url=http://www.musicrow.com/2012/09/george-strait-announces-final-tour/ |publisher=MusicRow |date=September 26, 2012 |accessdate=September 26, 2012}}</ref>

Latest revision as of 12:21, 15 August 2024

The Cowboy Rides Away Tour
Concert by George Strait
LocationUnited States
Associated albumLove Is Everything
Start dateJanuary 18, 2013 (2013-01-18)
End dateJune 7, 2014 (2014-06-07)
Legs2
No. of shows48

The Cowboy Rides Away Tour was a concert tour by American country music artist George Strait. The tour was divided into two legs: 21 concerts in 2013 and 27 concerts in 2014, for a total of 48 concerts, all in the United States. The tour started on January 18, 2013 in Lubbock, Texas, and ended in Arlington, Texas, on June 7, 2014. Strait was supported on the tour by his longtime eleven-member touring group, the Ace in the Hole Band. Appearing in arenas with six stadium dates included, Strait performed many of his most popular recordings and performance songs, including uptempo hits such as "Here for a Good Time", "Ocean Front Property", "How 'Bout Them Cowgirls", and "Troubadour", and softer ballads such as "I Saw God Today", "The Chair", and "I Can Still Make Cheyenne". His encores included "All My Ex's Live in Texas" and "Folsom Prison Blues", and he closed each show with one of his earliest hit songs, "The Cowboy Rides Away". This song that inspired the name for the tour was written by Sonny Throckmorton and Casey Kelly.

The tour received positive reviews, with one reviewer calling his shows "an embarrassment of riches",[1] and another recognizing Strait's "compelling stage presence and vocal power".[2] All 48 concerts were sold out, and for the week of February 7, 2014, the Cowboy Rides Away Tour was the top-grossing tour in the United States. The final concert at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, which featured special guests Martina McBride, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Vince Gill, Jason Aldean, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, and Sheryl Crow, drew 104,793 fans—the largest attendance at a single-show concert in the United States, as well as the largest attendance at any “indoor” concert in U.S. history. The concert also set a record for the largest gross at a single-show country concert, $18,194,374. In 2013 he was named Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year, and in 2014 he was named Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year.

Background

[edit]

Strait began performing live shows with the Ace in the Hole Band in San Marcos, Texas in October 1975. In 1981, after Strait signed a record contract with MCA Records, they became his permanent touring band and have accompanied him on every tour for over thirty years. On September 26, 2012, Strait announced that he was retiring from touring, and that his upcoming tour, titled The Cowboy Rides Away Tour, would be his last.[3][4][5]

Description

[edit]
George Strait at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, USA, March 1, 2014

The concerts were set mainly in arenas with six stadium dates included, and typically consisted of a one-hour opening act—Martina McBride for most of the 2013 concerts—followed by a half hour intermission. Strait then performed a two-hour set of about 33 songs representing all phases of his music career. Wearing his usual black Resistol cowboy hat, pressed Wrangler jeans, a button-down Western shirt, large silver belt buckle, and low heel cowboy boots,[1] Strait performed in the round with the eleven-member Ace in the Hole Band distributed centrally on the stage with Strait singing from each corner of the square stage in two-song segments.[6] The Ace in the Hole Band consists of Terry Hale (bass), Mike Daily (steel guitar), Ron Huckaby (piano), Rick McRae (electric guitar, fiddle), Benny McArthur (electric guitar, fiddle), Mike Kennedy (drums), Gene Elders (fiddle), Joe Manuel (acoustic guitar), John Michael Whitby (keyboards), Marty Slayton (background vocals), and Thom Flora (background vocals). Strait played a black Taylor PS10ce Dreadnought Presentation Series guitar on every song.[7]

Strait's setlist typically consisted of a mix of his most popular recordings and performance songs, including uptempo hits like "Here for a Good Time", "Ocean Front Property", "Check Yes or No", "Marina Del Rey", "How 'Bout Them Cowgirls", "Give It Away", "Amarillo by Morning", and "Troubadour", offset by softer ballads like "I Saw God Today", "The Chair", "Living for the Night", "I Can Still Make Cheyenne", and "I'll Always Remember You". His performances were delivered "with no flash or hurry".[6] Strait's set was briefly interrupted by a ten-minute presentation given by Retired General Leroy Sisco of the Military Warriors Support Foundation to honor a wounded serviceman with the gift of a house.[1] Strait typically performed three to five encore songs, including "All My Ex's Live in Texas" and "Folsum Prison Blues", one of a handful of cover songs he adds to the set each concert. Strait closed each show with one of his earliest hit songs, "The Cowboy Rides Away".[1]

The Cowboy Rides Away Tour closed with three stadium concerts. At the final concert on June 7, 2014 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Martina McBride joined an all-star bill that included Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Vince Gill, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, Lee Ann Womack, Sheryl Crow, and Asleep at the Wheel.[8] The concert drew 104,793 fans—the largest attendance at a single-headliner concert in the United States[8] until he broke his own record on Saturday, June 15, 2024, with a concert at Kyle Field at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, with 110,905 fans in attendance.[9] The Arlington concert also set a record for the largest gross at a single-show country concert, $18,194,374.[8] A live album recorded from the final concert in Arlington titled The Cowboy Rides Away: Live from AT&T Stadium was released on September 16, 2014, with a DVD of the concert being released on November 10, 2014, with Walmart exclusively releasing a deluxe edition including the cd as well.[10] On August 29, 2014, the Country Music Television channel broadcast a two-hour concert special of the event titled George Strait: The Cowboy Rides Away.[10] The concert was recorded by Chuck Ainlay with David Hewitt on Remote Recording's Silver Truck.

During the first leg of the tour, Strait was named the Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year in November 2013.[11] During the second leg of the tour, he was named the Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year in April 2014.[12]

Critical response

[edit]

In his review for the Austin Chronicle, Doug Freeman praised the artist's performance for the first concert of the 2014 leg of the tour, and his selection of songs that "only skim the depth of his catalog".[6] Freeman noted that despite the changes that have taken place in popular country music, Strait has "remained the genre's compass".[6] Freeman concluded:

Perhaps most remarkable was the vibrancy of Strait's voice throughout the epic set. Though each song was delivered with a consistency that matched their familiar studio versions, his vocals remained equally sharp and subtle, whether diving low and textured on "Drinkin' Man" or smoothly drawled on "I Can Still Make Cheyenne".[6]

In his review for AZCentral, Jason P. Woodbury praised Strait's February 7, 2014 concert at the US Airways Center in Phoenix, calling his performance "an embarrassment of riches".[1] Woodbury observed:

The crowd, the absolute loudest crowd I've ever heard, couldn't have asked for more. Strait is a rare kind of superstar, one whose command over the crowd isn't rooted in bombastic theatrics or flashy pyrotechnics. No, Strait's presentation is understated, classy, and sly, and his songs ... match Strait's steady charisma.[1]

Woodbury concluded, "He's a subtle performer, and the classic sense of regret and longing he brings to songs like 'You Look So Good in Love', 'Nobody in His Right Mind Would've Left Here', and 'A Fire I Can't Put Out' is tempered by soft humor and wit."[1]

In his review for Billboard magazine, Thom Duffy praised Strait's March 1, 2014 performance at the Prudential Center in Newark, noting his ability to "turn musical moods at ease, as if guiding a favorite horse on a tricky trail".[2] Duffy concluded:

Strait's ability to move his audiences remains undeniable, even on this final tour. No doubt, his talent lies first in an unerring skill at picking remarkable songs from among the finest writers in Nashville and beyond. But beyond his song choices and his amazing band, Strait on Saturday showed compelling stage presence and vocal power. ... There are few other great American vocalists in any genre—the late Frank Sinatra comes to mind—who can convey intense emotion with such effortlessness and understatement as George Strait.[2]

For the week of February 7, 2014, the Cowboy Rides Away Tour was the top-grossing tour in the United States, earning $6.4 million in four sold out arena concerts.[13]

Tour dates

[edit]
Date City Venue Special Guests
2013
January 18, 2013 Lubbock United Spirit Arena Martina McBride
January 19, 2013 Oklahoma City Chesapeake Energy Arena
January 25, 2013 Salt Lake City EnergySolutions Arena
January 26, 2013 Nampa Idaho Center
January 31, 2013 Sacramento Sleep Train Arena
February 1, 2013 Fresno Save Mart Center
February 2, 2013 Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Arena
February 15, 2013 St. Paul Xcel Energy Center
February 16, 2013 Grand Forks Alerus Center
February 22, 2013 Buffalo First Niagara Center
February 23, 2013 Hartford XL Center
March 1, 2013 Knoxville Thompson–Boling Arena
March 2, 2013 Lexington Rupp Arena
March 17, 2013 Houston Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Martina McBride
Randy Rogers Band
March 22, 2013 Greenville Bi-Lo Center Martina McBride
March 23, 2013 Greensboro Greensboro Coliseum
April 5, 2013 Albuquerque The Pit
April 6, 2013 Las Cruces Pan American Center
April 12, 2013 North Little Rock Verizon Arena
April 13, 2013 New Orleans New Orleans Arena
June 1, 2013 San Antonio Alamodome Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
2014
January 9, 2014 Bossier City CenturyLink Center Jason Aldean
January 10, 2014 Austin Frank Erwin Center
January 17, 2014 Omaha CenturyLink Center Omaha Eric Church
January 18, 2014 Kansas City Sprint Center
January 30, 2014 San Jose SAP Center Martina McBride
January 31, 2014 San Diego Valley View Casino Center Miranda Lambert
February 1, 2014 Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Arena
February 7, 2014 Phoenix US Airways Center Martina McBride
February 8, 2014 Los Angeles Staples Center
February 14, 2014 Auburn Hills The Palace of Auburn Hills Little Big Town
February 15, 2014 Columbus Nationwide Arena
February 28, 2014 Philadelphia Wells Fargo Center Martina McBride
March 1, 2014 Newark Prudential Center
March 7, 2014 Louisville KFC Yum! Center Vince Gill
March 8, 2014 Rosemont Allstate Arena
March 21, 2014 Nashville Bridgestone Arena Sheryl Crow
March 22, 2014 Atlanta Philips Arena
April 4, 2014 Wichita Intrust Bank Arena Lee Ann Womack
Merle Haggard
April 5, 2014 Denver Pepsi Center
April 11, 2014 Portland Moda Center Chris Young
April 12, 2014 Tacoma Tacoma Dome
April 18, 2014 Des Moines Wells Fargo Arena Ronnie Dunn
April 19, 2014 Tulsa BOK Center
May 23, 2014 Baton Rouge LSU Tiger Stadium Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
May 31, 2014 Foxborough Gillette Stadium Tim McGraw
Faith Hill
June 5, 2014 Hidalgo State Farm Arena Kyle Park
June 7, 2014 Arlington AT&T Stadium Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Eric Church
Ronnie Dunn
Vince Gill
Faith Hill
Alan Jackson
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Lee Ann Womack
Asleep at the Wheel
[edit]
  • Hartford, Connecticut, February 23, 2013
    Hartford, Connecticut, February 23, 2013
  • Hartford, Connecticut, February 23, 2013
    Hartford, Connecticut, February 23, 2013
  • Hartford, Connecticut, February 23, 2013
    Hartford, Connecticut, February 23, 2013
  • Hartford, Connecticut, February 23, 2013
    Hartford, Connecticut, February 23, 2013
  • Newark, New Jersey, March 1, 2014
    Newark, New Jersey, March 1, 2014
  • Newark, New Jersey, March 1, 2014
    Newark, New Jersey, March 1, 2014

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g Woodbury, Jason P. (February 10, 2014). "George Strait Goes Out on Top with Cowboy Rides Away Tour". AZCentral. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c Duffy, Thom (March 3, 2014). "George Strait, Martina McBride Turn New Jersey Into Cowboy Country". Billboard. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  3. ^ Richards, Kevin (September 26, 2012). "The Cowboy Rides Away Tour ..." WGNA. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
  4. ^ Skates, Sarah (September 26, 2012). "George Strait Announces Final Tour". MusicRow. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  5. ^ "George Strait Tour: 2013 and 2014 George Strait Concert Tour Dates". George Strait Tour Dates. Archived from the original on April 12, 2013. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  6. ^ a b c d e Freeman, Doug (January 11, 2014). "George Strait: The Cowboy Rides Away". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  7. ^ "Taylor PS10ce Dreadnought Presentation Series". Taylor Guitars. April 26, 2013. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  8. ^ a b c Allen, Bob (June 16, 2014). "George Strait's Final Show Sets Billboard Boxscore Attendance Records". Billboard. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  9. ^ https://www.billboard.com/music/country/george-strait-breaks-concert-attendance-record-1235710814/
  10. ^ a b Stefano, Angela (August 18, 2014). "George Strait Announces 'The Cowboy Rides Away' Live Album". The Boot. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  11. ^ Lewis, Randy (November 6, 2013). "CMA Awards: George Strait Nabs 18th Entertainer of the Year Honor". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 5, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  12. ^ Talbott, Chris (April 7, 2014). "George Strait Wins Entertainer of the Year at 2014 ACM Awards". Huffington Post. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  13. ^ Allen, Bob (February 20, 2014). "George Strait and the Band Perry Top Hot Tours with $6.4 Million". Billboard. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
[edit]
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