MEMO

Name: Joshua Rodriguez

Date: 09/27/10

Assignment: Agency Discourse Community Assignment

Subject: Country Music Influence

George Strait: The Beginning

George Strait was born George Harvey Strait on May 18, 1952. He was born in Poteet, Texas. He
was raised in the city of Pearsall. Strait was a member of the U.S. Army and was honorably
discharged in 1975. He attended Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas and
received a degree in Agriculture. While he was in college he joined the Ace in the Hole band, it
was this band that helped launch arguably the greatest country singer of all time. In 1980 Strait
signed a recording contract with MCA Nashville Records In 1891 the album “Strait Country” was
released. In it was Strait’s first single called “Unwound” this marked his first single with MCA
Nashville Records and quickly reached the top ten Hot Country Songs chart.

Films

 Pure Country- most definitely George Strait’s most well known movie roll. The
soundtrack to this movie was one of Strait’s greatest albums of all time reaching number
one in the country charts and number six on the Billboard top 200 chart. It sold over six
million copies.
 The Soldier- Strait’s debut film, it was released in 1982
 Grand Champion- his more recent film that was released in 2002

Charities
George Strait donates to various charities, each with a purpose that he holds dear in his heart.

 Jenifer Strait- this is most definitely George Strait’s favorite charity. It is dedicated to his
daughter Jenifer Strait whom was killed in a tragic car accident on June 25, 1986. The
donations are strictly private. This charity’s proceeds go in an investment fund. Every
year the money collected from there are donated to child related charities.
 Strait Charity- this charity organization is for his passion of rodeos. It is a partnership
with Justin Boots This charities purpose is to help the participants that get injured while
riding in the rodeo.

This past year the George Strait: “ACM Artist of the Decade” in Las Vegas netted the ACM Lifting
Lives charity approximately 750,000 dollars. This charity’s main goal is to improve live with the
help of music.

George Strait’s Influence on the Community and Accomplishments

He is the only artist in any genres to have a total of fifty-seven number one hits year. He has
had thirty-eight gold albums, thirty-three platinum, and thirteen multiplatinum records. He won
his first Grammy for his album titled Troubadour. He has won the entertainer of the year award
numerous times. Strait has been nominated and won more CMA and ACM awards than anyone
else. George Strait also won Entertainer of the Decade.

George Strait has influenced many people with his music. From the early 1980’s to the present
he has continued to be the most influential man in country music. Year after he has had songs
top the country charts. His song “Amarillo by Morning” is considered one of the greatest
country songs of all time, and is to this very day still played at rodeos everywhere. It has come
to be known as the rodeo anthem.

Endorsements
 Wrangler- Strait’s influence on the Country world is so powerful he has his own style of
pants from Wrangler.

 Justin Boots
 Resistol
 USTRC