George Strait Begins His Goodbyes

Country legend George Strait launched his final tour Friday night in Lubbock, Texas. Playing in front of more than 15,000 fans, Strait not only delivered a set featuring his hits and fan favorites, but he spent some time honoring a military vet.

Photo: Terry Calonge

Launching his “Cowboy Rides Away” final tour at the United Spirit Arena in Lubbock, Texas.

It definitely was a party at Lubbock’s United Spirit Arena. After Martina McBride warmed up the crowd, Strait opened his concert with the very appropriate “Here For A Good Time” and wrapped it all up with the song that encapsulates the entire tour – “Cowboy Rides Away.”

Here’s the setlist:

“Here For a Good Time”
“Ocean Front Property”
“Check Yes Or No”
“I Saw God Today”
“Drinkin’ Man”
“A Showman’s Life”
“Love’s Gonna Make It”
“Arkansas Dave”
“80 Proof Bottle of Tear Stopper”
“Honky Tonk Crazy”
“Blame It On Mexico”
“Hit Me In The Heart”
“Marina Del Rey”
“King Of Broken Hearts”
“Where The Sidewalk Ends”
“The Chair”
“How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls”
“Stars On The Water”
“Give It Away”
“Living For The Night”
“Amarillo by Morning”
“Give It All We Got Tonight”

“I’ll Always Remember You”
“Troubadour”
“Unwound”
“Same Kind Of Crazy”
“All My Ex’s Live In Texas”
“Folsom Prison Blues”
“Cowboy Rides Away”

No, that extra line space between “Give It All We Got Tonight” and “I’ll Always Remember You” isn’t a formatting error. That’s when Strait stopped the music to introduce U.S. Marine Corps E-3/Lance Corporal Christopher Allen.

Allen is the 287^th recipient of the Military Warriors Support Foundation’s “Homes 4 Wounded Heroes.” He and his family will receive a one-story, three bedroom home in Bakersfield, Calif. Of course, every house comes with a key, and Allen received the very first key Strait has handed out for the MWSF.

But Allen isn’t the only veteran being honored by Strait and the MWSF. Each night of Strait’s “The Cowboy Rides Away Tour” will include a veteran receiving a key to a mortgage-free home.