George Harvey Strait, born May 18, 1952, is an iconic American country music artist known for his influential role in pioneering the neotraditional country style. With over 120 million records sold worldwide, Strait is one of the best-selling music artists ever and holds the record for the most certified albums by any artist, including 33 platinum or gold albums. He is the 12th best-selling artist in the U.S. with over 70 million records sold.

Strait’s career began in the 1970s, and his breakout came in 1981 with the hit “Unwound.” Throughout the 1980s and beyond, he became renowned for his authentic cowboy image and roots-driven sound, gaining the nickname “King of Country Music.” His achievements include a record 60 number-one hits, making him the artist with the most number ones across all music genres. He has also been honored with multiple awards, including being named Artist of the Decade by the Academy of Country Music and inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Strait is celebrated for his touring success, including groundbreaking 360-degree stage designs and record-breaking concert attendance. His final concert in 2014 attracted over 100,000 people, setting a new North American record. In 2024, he set another record for the largest ticketed concert by a single artist in U.S. history, with over 110,000 attendees. That year, he was also inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame.