In a year partly defined by Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton's "dive bar" fascination, George Strait played a 2,500-capacity venue in Austin this past Monday (Nov. 25) to help with the medical needs of hurricane victims in the Bahamas. The Texas country music icon's show raised $1.5 million for the Abaco Relief Fund, benefiting the immediate disaster relief needs of Bahamian citizens impacted by the damage Hurricane Dorian caused in August to the Abaco Islands.
Per Austin 360, donors bought 10-seat round tables for the benefit concert, featuring the King of Country Music and his legendary 11-piece Ace in the Hole Band. Another perk for attendees was first dibs on a special edition, event-themed t-shirt design that read "Ocean Front Recovery," a reference to the hit song "Ocean Front Property." Fans not in attendance can pre-order the shirt to benefit Hurricane Dorian relief efforts. Its design incorporates the colors of the Bahamian flag.
Strait's set list included everything from new single "The Weight of the Badge" and other cuts off Honky Tonk Time Machine (MCA Nashville) to covers of "Pancho and Lefty" (based on Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard's arrangement) and Tom Petty's "Wreck Me." And of course, Billboard chart-toppers from Strait's career-spanning vinyl edition of Strait Out of the Box dominated the night.
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Another artist on hand to aid hurricane relief efforts, singer-songwriter Patty Griffin, opened the show with a half-hour acoustic set.
"If he only knew the miles I've driven singing along to his music, I think he'd probably be a little bit afraid of me," Griffin joked about her fondness of Strait's back catalog.
Strait planned the concert with Discovery Land Company Foundation and its soon-to-open Driftwood Golf & Ranch Club.
George Strait Set List (Nov. 25, 2019)
1. "Deep in the Heart of Texas (instrumental)"
2. "Stars on the Water"
3. "I Can Still Make Cheyenne"
4. "I Saw God Today"
5. "Here for a Good Time"
6. "She'll Leave You With a Smile"
7. "Check Yes or No"
8. "Pancho & Lefty"
9. "My Life's Been Grand"
10. "Cold Beer Conversation"
11. "Waymore's Blues"
12. "Arkansas Dave"
13. "Give It Away"
14. "Every Little Honky Tonk Bar"
15. "Ocean Front Property"
16. "The Weight of the Badge"
17. "Codigo"
18. "Old Violin"
19. "Amarillo By Morning"
20. "The Chair"
21. "The Fireman"
22. "Run"
23. "I'll Always Remember You"
24. "Troubadour"
25. "Unwound"
Encore
26. "All My Ex's Live in Texas"
27. "Heartland"
28. "You Wreck Me"
29. "The Cowboy Rides Away"
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