George Strait captivates fans during first of two nights at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth

The crowd at Dickies Arena Friday night had George Strait wondering how he and the Ace in the Hole band took a four month break from the stage.

Playing a mix of old favorites, newer songs and covers, Strait made sure to let the crowd know that Fort Worth does cross his mind.

“It’s great to be in Fort Worth tonight,” he said. “I got to tell y’all, I love Cowtown, this is the best place.”

It’s been three years since Strait performed at Dickies Arena. His Nov. 22, 2019 show was the first concert announced at the venue, which opened a month before. A second Fort Worth show was added for Nov. 23 after the first sold out within 30 minutes.

Learning a lesson from last time, Strait announced two dates this year right out the gate.

Fans came out dressed in their Fort Worth best, wearing jeans, cowboy boots and hats.

Special guest Tenille Townes kicked off the night at 8 p.m. with preshow performances of some of her songs including “The Last Time” and “White Horse.”

Dickies Arena erupted in cheers as Strait walked on stage, wearing a white pinstripe shirt tucked into blue jeans with boots and a felt, black cowboy hat.

He kicked off the night with “Here For A Good Time,” and, by the audience’s reaction, it was an accurate reflection of the night’s mood.

Sections of the arena stood up as he made his way around each of the four corners of the square stage, microphones placed on every side allowing the whole audience to get a front view.

Strait gave fans a smile and waved as he strummed his guitar, fans cheering, waving and raising their hats to him.

“There’s a lot of cowboys in Cowtown. We always like to see you because we know you’re going to bring the cowgirls with you,” Strait said before singing “How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls” to the delight of the audience.

The Texan cowboy and country music legend has been on the scene since 1981, the year his debut album ‘Strait Country’ came out. Since then, he’s had 60 number one hits, from “Fool Hearted Memory” to “Give It All We Got Tonight.”

Despite hanging up his spurs on touring with the 2013-14 Cowboy Rides Away Tour, which ended at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Strait continues to perform live concerts when and where fits best for him and his band.

Fans both sitting and standing sang along to songs like “I Can Still Make Cheyenne” and “The Fireman” throughout the night, but as soon as Strait announced his favorite song, “Amarillo By Morning”, the entire arena stood up and joined in.

Following fiddle player Gene Elders’ closing solo, the crowd cheered and several raised their cowboy hats to the stage.

After an initial exit with the song “Wrapped Around My Finger”, Strait and the Ace in the Hole band came out for an encore performance starting with “Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind”.

Strait closed out his first night at Dickies Arena with “The Cowboy Rides Away” before he left the stage, smiling and touching hands as he walked past fans standing by the barricaded aisle.

Strait performs Saturday night, with another block party planned at 5:30 p.m. before doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Resale tickets can be purchased on Ticketmaster, however prices for the Saturday show remained high as of Friday night ranging from $370 to over a thousand dollars depending on the seats.