George Strait Drops New Album, Announces Upcoming Performances

George Strait announced on Tuesday that he’s releasing a new album and will be performing four shows in Las Vegas in 2016.

George Strait’s New Album, Concerts

Strait’s new album, Cold Beer Conversation, will hit the stacks at Walmart and be available via iTunes Friday. But his fans will have to wait until April to hear him play live at MGM Resorts’ new Las Vegas Arena. Strait will be playing there Arpil 22-23 and Sept. 9-10.

“Some people that I have told that I’d be doing some dates in Vegas in 2016 at the Las Vegas Arena, they go: ‘Well, you retired. I thought you retired.’ Ooh, I just wanna grab ’em and shake ’em. I never said that,” Strait said on Tuesday.

On Wednesday during a press conference, Strait elaborated on his excitement at the prospect of returning to the stage in Las Vegas.

“Las Vegas has been a big part of my country music career,” he said. “It’s fun to play Vegas. . . The crowds are great and they come from all over the place, because there is so much to do here. A concert is kind of a bonus.”

As for his record Cold Beer Conversation, Strait believes – as he always believes – that the new record is among the best he’s put out during his prolific career.

“I always say this, I think it’s one of the best records I’ve done, and I always shoot for that. You’ve got to go in the studio thinking that way,” said Strait. “I’m inspired to make music all the time. There’s no particular inspiration for this record, other than going out and making the best record I can make.”

Tickets for Strait’s concerts at the 20,000-seat arena will go on sale Oct. 2.