George Strait is staging a nationwide listening party ahead of his new release — and the move suggests he’s betting big on shared anticipation over secret drop culture. ML
George Strait’s new album Cowboys and Dreamers is out on Friday, September 6th. But fans of Strait and supporters of local independent record stores will have an opportunity to listen and purchase the album early as part of a nationwide listening party happening two days before on Wednesday, September 4th.
87 total independent record stores in 36 states will participate in the event to help promote the release and local businesses. You can see the full list of participating stores below.
Cowboys and Dreamers is produced by Chuck Ainly, Tony Brown, and George Strait himself. His first album in five years also sees songwriting contributions from Chris Stapleton, Kendell Marvel, Jessie Jo Dillon, and of course long-time Strait contributors Dean Dillon and Jim Lauderdale. It also includes three songs from late songwriter and Strait friend Keith Gattis, including a song Gattis wrote with Guy Clark.
The release also comes after a tumultuous time in the George Strait camp with the recent loss of three individuals who were super close to Strait and integral to his team.
“I’m dedicating this record to my longtime manager and friend Erv Woolsey and my longtime fiddle player and friend Gene Elders (a player on four of these tracks), who we lost on the same day, March 20, 2024, as well as my longtime friend and road manager Tom Foote, who we lost on April 29, 2024,” says Strait. “I will never forget all of the good times we had together. May they rest in peace with our Lord Jesus Christ.”
