The BOK Center in Tulsa announced Monday that country-music superstar George Strait would perform a concert there June 2, 2018.
But it’s not just any concert. Strait retired from touring a few years ago and plays only a handful of dates annually. He’s booked only two shows in 2018, so this will be a hot ticket.
It would be a hot ticket regardless; 60 No. 1 country singles will do that.
Second, the Tulsa concert is the opening salvo of the “10 for 10” series to mark the 10th anniversary of the BOK Center. So the venue wants to make this one special.
Also, the show is being touted as “Strait Down Route 66,” with a dedicated website. This is a nod to Tulsa’s Route 66 history.
And because Strait recorded a wonderful song about Tulsa some years ago, don’t be surprised if he puts it in his set list.
Finally, western-swing band Asleep At the Wheel is scheduled to be a “supporting” act the evening of the Strait concert.
The group, without fail, performs “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66” at every show. Longtime frontman Ray Benson says it is his favorite song to do.
Pairing Strait with Asleep At the Wheel opens interesting possibilities for the show. Strait is a western-swing fan, so having the best performer of that genre could lead to covers from the Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys songbook, especially “Take Me Back to Tulsa.” Wills and his band became famous in the 1930s by performing on the radio at the now-historic Cain’s Ballroom, just a few blocks from the BOK Center.
Old-timers also swear Strait’s voice is a dead ringer for Tommy Duncan, who was Wills’ longtime lead singer.
Even if the onstage jam session with Strait and Asleep At the Wheel doesn’t happen, Strait can’t leave town without singing a quintessential Route 66 song “Amarillo by Morning,” which wasn’t his biggest hit but has become one of his most iconic.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Central time Thursday and can be ordered here.
(Image of George Strait by Stacey Huggins via Flickr)
Sure wish the list would include COBY CARTER from Portales, NM. He plays the best western swing you ever heard. Check him out at COBY CARTER.com. He played for our 65th Wedding Anniversary. Just Great!!