Making the appointment official on Thursday, May 18, the Texas State Legislature has announced that country music superstar George Strait has been given the honor of Texas State Musician for 2017. His recognition will come alongside Jenny Browne (Texas Poet Laureate for 2017), and Carol Coffee Reposa (State Poet Laureate for 2018). In a press statement, Strait commented, “It’s a great honor for me to be selected as Texas State Musician of 2017 and join this very prestigious list of other honorees. I’m a very proud Texan and love to sing the praises of our great state every chance I get.”
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George Strait Named Texas State Musician 2017
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Photo: Facebook/George Strait
Strait, who was born in the town of Poteet, will turn 65 on the date of his appointment – a double honor indeed. The naming of the honor was made by the Texas Commission on the Arts, calling him “the undeniable King of Country Music.” With 60 number 1 singles, 33 platinum or multi-platinum-selling albums, and the only artist to have a hit in the top 10 of the charts annually for more than three decades, he has earned the honor several times over. Strait has also received more than 60 major industry awards and sold over 70 million albums throughout the course of his career.
Photo: Facebook/UMG Nashville
Marcia Ball, Austin-based roots-blues pianist has been selected as the Texas State Musician for 2018 by the Texas Commission on the Arts and will also be honored at the State Legislature on Thursday in conjunction with Strait at the Capitol Building. The appointments were made on Monday, May 15, from a list of candidates that were nominated by the general public, and through a series of committee processes, the selections are done every two years. Ball and Strait will follow Jimmie Vaughan and Joe Ely, recognized for 2015 and 2016, respectively, and their titles are an honorary distinction, with no specific duties attached.
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