Whether they’re living “Somewhere Down in Texas” or it’s just their exes who live in Texas, when Americans think of country music, they think of George Strait. Known as one of the most successful artists of all time and the King of Country Music, George Harvey Strait Sr. is a Texas treasure and cultural icon, representing the very best of the Lone Star State.

Strait was born in Poteet, Texas, on May 18, 1952, and grew up on a family-owned cattle ranch in Pearsall with his father, John Strait, a junior high math teacher, and his brother, Buddy. As a young Texan, Strait’s priority was working his family’s 2,000-acre ranch, and there wasn’t much leisure time to sit back and listen to music.  It wasn’t until the early 1970s while he was serving in the Army that his passion for country music was born. After coming home following his military service, Strait earned a degree in agriculture from Southwest Texas State University, now known as Texas State University, and then moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue his dream of becoming a country music star.

Once in Music City, Strait signed with MCA Records. He quickly gained popularity, as his songs were the perfect combination of traditional western and modern country music. In 1989, Strait won his first of three Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year awards. To this day, he is still considered to be one of the most influential country music artists, and his music has shaped the genre forever.

Despite his huge success in arenas across the globe, the King of Country still remembers his Texas roots. After the catastrophic floods in the Hill Country and across Texas last month, George Strait hosted a benefit concert in Boerne, Texas, called “Strait to the Heart” to raise funds for Texans impacted by the tragedy. “Our hearts and prayers are with you all. The goal with this event is to raise meaningful, immediate support that can be put directly into the hands of flood victims without delay, while also honoring the first responders that work tirelessly to save lives,” said Strait. The concert raised more than $6 million for affected families in the region.

Most recently, on Aug. 13, 2025, President Donald J. Trump named George Strait as one of the 2025 Kennedy Center Honorees: American Icons in Performing Arts. “Over his extraordinary four-decade career, he has sold more than 120 million records worldwide, amassed 60 number-one hits, and produced 33 platinum-certified albums — more than any other living American. He is the only act in history to have a Top 10 hit every year for more than three decades,” wrote the White House.

This year, the 48^th Annual Kennedy Center Gala will take place on Dec. 7, where Strait will be recognized for his artistic accomplishments. As Kennedy Center Board Chair, President Trump played a big role in the selection process of Strait, and all Texans tip our hats to him for checking yes on this Lone Star State selection. By choosing Strait, President Trump is honoring not only a legendary musician and national treasure, but also a servant-hearted and devoted Texan, who has dedicated so much of his time and talent to helping others.

If we can learn anything from the life that George Strait has led and the legacy he’s built, it’s that no matter where life may take us, we should always remember our roots. Texas isn’t just a place on a map, it’s a way of life. It’s smiling and talking with strangers in the grocery store line. It’s neighbors helping neighbors when tragedy strikes. And it’s world-renowned musicians returning home to lift up their fellow Texans in a time of need. As he sings in one of his hit songs, “My prayer is that you’ll take me anywhere in Texas, the only home I know. I’m a child of the Alamo and the Yellow Rose, so when I go: Take me to Texas.”