Country artist George Strait made history during his Saturday night performance at Kyle Field at Texas A&M in College Station.
According to Billboard, on June 15 the venue was packed with 110,905 ticket-buying fans, which is now the highest concert attendance count in American concert history. This record was previously held by the Grateful Dead for having 107,019 attendees at their 1977 show at Raceway Park in New Jersey.
Aside from this national accomplishment, Strait also set a record for the most people in the Kyle Field venue for a single event. Billboard reported that the previous highest amount of guests for an event was 110,633 for a Texas A&M versus Ole Swiss football game in 2014.
“What’s going on everybody?” Strait addressed the crowd. “We got some Aggie’s out there? Oh yeah! I’m ashamed to say this, but this is my first time to ever be in Kyle Field… damn! Just invite me back, I’ll come!”
Strait was born on May 18, 1952, in Poteet, Texas. According to the Country Music Hall of Fame, the country legend did not listen to much country music growing up. Instead, he preferred jamming out to British Invasion rock groups from the mid-1960s.
It wasn’t until he joined the army that Strait discovered his love for country music. In 1973, he became the lead singer of a country band on his military base.
Strait did not achieve commercial success until the 1980s, when his song “Unwound” made it to #6 on the Billboard charts, according to the Country Hall of Fame. He went on to produce more hits that demonstrated his unique ability to blend pop influences into his country sounds. Strait was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006.
Now, at 72 years old and nearly five decades into his career, Strait is still creating music that appeals to his loyal fanbase. His newest album, “Country Valentine” was released this February. According to American Songwriter, Strait debuted two new songs from his unreleased “Cowboys and Dreamers” album to Saturday’s record-breaking crowd.
For Strait’s upcoming tour dates, visit his official website.
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