Hotties take heed: Here's a real country gentleman

Country music may be ruled by rock stars like Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw, but they're small fry compared to George Strait, the classiest cowboy of them all. The tall Texas troubadour could teach those boys a thing or two about nearly everything, from honky-tonk music to looking supremely cool in clean cowboy hat and pressed — not sprayed-on — jeans. We'll see if those whippersnappers last as long as Strait, who's been making hits for a quarter-century and last year was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

When Strait plays the T-Dome Saturday, it'll be impossible for him to play all his hits, because he's had so many — more than any other country artist in history. Elvis Presley is the only other single artist in any genre who has had more platinum albums. Strait has had 26 million-selling albums and sold more than 62 million recordings.

Concert preview


George Strait, Ronnie Milsap, Taylor Swift, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Tacoma Dome; $49.50-$59.50 (206-628-0888 or www.ticketmaster.com; information, 253-272-3663 or www.tacomadome.org).

Unlike some country-music veterans, Strait can hold his own among the "Young Country" stars who dominate country radio and TV. His smooth singing voice and easygoing delivery make his songs sound great on radio. He's almost never without a tune on the country hit parade.

At 54, he's as popular as the sexy young guys when it comes to country-music videos, because of his gentlemanly manner and classic, handsome features. With country-music videos getting raunchier all the time, Strait's remain romantic and fun, whether love songs or boot-scootin' honky-tonkers.

Strait comes to town on the heels of his latest album, "It Just Comes Natural," his 34th and, like most all the others, a big hit. The title tune is his current hit single. The title could describe his singing style, but the song is actually a warm, upbeat love ballad.

Speaking of McGraw, Taylor Swift, the newcomer who opens the show, is a country ingenue who has made her name with a song about having a crush on him. Her "Tim McGraw" is No. 43 this week on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart.

Also on the bill is another veteran, Ronnie Milsap. The blind singer-pianist was a major figure in the 1970s and '80s, and recently has reactivated his recording and touring.

Patrick MacDonald: 206-464-2312 or pmacdonald@seattletimes.com