George Strait Proves His ‘King Of Country Music’ Status With 31st Studio Album, ‘Cowboys And Dreamers’

George Strait is treating fans to a whole new collection of classic honky-tonk anthems and heartfelt ballads on his just-released project, Cowboys And Dreamers, which marks his 31^st studio album for MCA.

Drawing from his years of unwavering dedication to the genre, Strait celebrates his journey with 13 new tracks, including three previously released tunes that fans have already come to love – “Three Drinks Behind,” “MIA Down in MIA” and “The Little Things.” Plus, he has previewed several songs during his recent stint of live shows including “Honky Tonk Hall Of Fame” featuring Chris Stapleton, and Strait’s rendition of Waylon Jennings’ “Waymore’s Blues.” 

Finding The Perfect Title Track

While looking for a title to capture the nostalgic and heartwarming spirit of the songs within this album, the proud Texas native says he was drawn to the work of Jessie Jo Dillon, Keith Gattis and Bubba Strait. These writers are responsible for penning the title track “Cowboys And Dreamers,” and Strait made it his own by acting as producer alongside Tony Brown, and Chuck Ainlay, who has been mixing the hitmaker’s records since 1985, Tony Brown (Strait’s 1993’s Easy Come, Easy Go; 2008’s Troubadour).  

“It is a really cool song,” shared Strait of the title track. “So cool that I thought that I should name the whole album after it. And sometimes I feel like the last of a dying breed trying to find where I fit. That pretty much says it all. ‘Somewhere between high on top of the world, and fighting with calling it quits,’” he added, quoting the opening line of the title track.

Cowboys And Dreamers follows Strait’s 27th No. 1 Billboard Country album of 2019, Honky Tonk Time Machine. After losing several of his longtime friends and collaborates earlier this year, including his manager Erv Woolsey, road manager Tom Foote and fiddler Gene Elders who plays on four tracks on this album, the “Carrying Your Love With Me” singer decided to honor their lives by dedicating his latest piece of work to them. 

“I will never forget all of the good times we had together,” Strait shared of his friends who have passed on. 

Whether you’re listening to the pure depiction of love in “To The Moon,” the impending heartbreak in “People Get Hurt Sometimes,” the sentimental delivery of valuable life lessons on “The Journey of Your Life,” or dance-worthy rhythms of “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame,” Cowboys And Dreamers offers clear proof that George Strait truly is the King of Country and that he’s showing no signs of slowing down. 

Cowboys And Dreamers Tracklist:

(Songwriters in parentheses)

1) “Three Drinks Behind” (Benjamin Gaither, Jeff Silvey and Kim Williams)
2) “Cowboys And Dreamers” (Jessie Jo Dillon, Keith Gattis and Bubba Strait)
3) “To The Moon” (Marty Brown and Steve Clark)
4) “MIA Down in MIA” (Adam Craig and Dean Dillon)
5) “Wish I Could Say” (Keith Gattis)
6) “Calling From The Car” (Bobby Braddock)
7) “People Get Hurt Sometimes” (Jim Lauderdale, Kendell Marvel and Jimmy Ritchey)
8) “Honky Tonk Hall Of Fame” ft. Chris Stapleton (Chris Stapleton, Jameson Clark and Timothy James)
9) “The Little Things” (George Strait, Monty Criswell and Bubba Strait)
10) “The Book” (George Strait, Dean Dillon, Jessie Jo Dillon and Bubba Strait)
11) “Rent” (Guy Clark and Keith Gattis)
12) “Waymore’s Blues” (Curtis Buck and Waylon Jennings)
13) “The Journey Of Your Life” (Ronnie Bowman and Troy Jones)

Final Show Of 2024

Strait has been busy showcasing many of these new tracks live on stage throughout his latest trek of stadium shows. His final concert of 2024 dubbed, “Strait To Vegas,” will take place Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium and will mark the 37th installment of his latest run with Chris Stapleton and special guests Little Big Town.