Artists’ Picks: George Strait

In its rich history, country music has created its fair share of legends, so to earn the distinction “King of Country” is no easy task.

Not only did George Strait do that, he has upheld it for nearly four decades. Whether he was getting “Unwound” in 1981 or inhabiting “Every Little Honky Tonk Bar” in 2019, Strait has created (and continues to create) an unmatched legacy in country music.

With that said, we gave Kyle Fields, Will Banister, Hershell Golden, Caden Gillard and Megan Ashley the nearly impossible task of choosing their favorite George Strait songs, and they didn’t disappoint!

Kyle Fields

George is one of my favorites of all time and biggest influences ever so this has been really tough to pick [laughs].

“Heartland”
- “Pure Country” is one of my of favorite movies. I know almost every line from it. Any time this song comes on when I’m driving, I start going a lot faster [laughs]
“Carrying Your Love With Me”
- I grew up in the 90’s, so I remember many times cranking this one on the radio and drinking a lot of Mountain Dew [laughs]. This one has always helped me when feeling homesick from traveling and living away from home.
“Troubadour”
- This one I think is an obvious relation to any country artist. It’s the story of most of our lives that are still out there chasing that neon rainbow.

George has honestly never really had a bad song. I could pick about 30 different ones and they change often. I respect the hell out of him, and although I somehow didn’t pick a Dean Dillon song for this, the amount of great songs he wrote for George is unbelievable. One of the greatest song writers of all time. “The Chair” is definitely up there for me. I also love “I Can Still Make Cheyenne,” written by Aaron Barker and George’s long time manager, Erv Woolsey. Such an awesome tune!

Will Banister

“Blame It on Mexico”
- I don’t remember a time in my life where I haven’t heard this song. It’s probably one of the first songs I ever heard! I just love the story in the song and his delivery. Today, I love songs with that Mexican flair, and “I’m in Mexico” is probably why.
“You’re Something Special To Me”
- I always thought this song was just about the perfect love song. I can relate to the words of this song more than ever, especially since I’ve found that something special in my life!
“So Much Like My Dad”
- I’ve always been kind of a mama’s boy at heart, and anytime I have any trouble, she’s one of the first people I talk to. So this song always hit close to home for me
“Fool Hearted Memory”
- To me, “Full Hearted Memory” is about as close to a perfect country song as you’ll find. It just seems to have all the right elements from the opening fiddle lick, guitar, steel guitar, George Strait’s singing and heartbreak words. It’s a song I’ve listened to on repeat many times!

Hershell Golden

I started going to watch George Strait at the Houston Rodeo in the late 80’s and always admired his laid back demeanor and incredible vocal delivery, not to mention his tasteful song selections. It’s really hard to nail down my favorite George songs into such a small list, but I’ll give it a shot!

“Marina Del Rey”
- Written by the great Dean Dillon and Frank Dycus, this song has always had a way to bring out the goosebumps. I’ve always had a love for piano intros, and this one here grabs you from the start. It’s one of those songs that when I hear it, I separate from reality and get lost for a moment.
“The Only Thing I Have Left”
- My set list has always been flooded with George Strait songs; I mean what better way to pack a dance floor. I remember we would break out this song in the last set of the night and here they’d come. What a great song!
“Nobody In His Right Mind Would’ve Left Her”
- Another one of Dean Dillon’s brilliant songs. I’ve always been a sucker for a good “catch” phrase or “hook” in a song, and this one here really set the bar. I’m very glad this song was recorded by George, because there’s no one else that could deliver it the way he does. The perfect George Strait song.
“Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind”
- “Cold Fort Worth beer just ain’t no good for jealous;” BRILLIANT.

Caden Gillard

“I Can Still Make Cheyenne”
“I Ain’t Her Cowboy Anymore“
“Amarillo By Morning”

These songs ring true because I have lived them! I rode bulls for 8 years, and we listened to these songs traveling all over the country rodeoing, and many parts of those songs ended up coming true! Obviously he’s the king and has so many greats, but those have always stuck out to me a little more than the others, simply because of how they tie into the cowboy lifestyle!

Megan Ashley

“If You Can Do Anything Else”
- Such an underrated song. I love the vibe of the song, the lists of different cities in the US, and it’s a really sweet love song in a different way. It instantly puts me in a good mood. Also, I love how the guy is giving the girl options because he wants what’s best for her, but wants to give her the world; ah, relationship goals.
“A Better Rain”
- Written by one of my friends’ dad, David Lee. I love songs that heal, and this song is so sweet and has been healing for me.
“The Man in Love With You”
- UMM, swoon. One of my favorite love songs without a doubt. Such a classy song.
“I Believe” & “You’ll Be There”
- Gonna get real personal, cause I’m a songwriter. These have been two songs I will put on to go to sleep. They bring me peace, and remind me there is a God that is looking out for me, especially when my circumstances aren’t ideal.
“Amarillo By Morning”
- Lots of memories with this song. It’s my dad’s favorite and will always take me back to driving in my dad’s old pickup truck to Bill Miller BBQ pretty much every morning in grade school to get bacon and egg breakfast tacos (and sweet tea) before school. Also, when I used to play violin back in the day, this was one of the first songs I learned.