George Strait (George Harvey Strait) was born on May 18, 1952 is an American country music singer.

The native Texan is known for his honky tonk country western sound. Strait is sometimes referred to as the "King of Country" and some critics call Strait a living legend (Bego, 2001).

He is well known for his unique style of western swing music, barroom ballads, honky-tonk style, and fresh yet traditional country western music.

A member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Strait has been nominated for more CMA awards than any other artist.

While attending SWT, Strait joined the Ace in the Hole Band, who had been advertising for a new lead singer. Beginning October 14, 1975, the band played honky tonks and bars around south and central Texas and as far east as Huntsville and Houston.

In the late 1970s, while Strait continued to manage a cattle ranch during the day, the band recorded several singles in a Houston studio that were released under the Dallas, Texas based "D" record label, but they never achieved wide recognition.

Strait became friends with Erv Woolsey, who operated one of the bars in which the band played, and who had previously worked for MCA Records.

Woolsey convinced some of his Music Row connections to come to Texas and listen to Strait and Ace in the Hole play.

Impressed with his performance, MCA quickly signed Strait to a recording deal as a solo performer. The Ace in the Hole Band continued to play with Strait, but now as his backup/touring band.