The crowd erupts as George Strait launches into his 1981 debut single Unwound at Salt Lake City’s Rice-Eccles Stadium. That familiar twang in his voice proves some things never change; the King of Country still delivers pure honky-tonk perfection decades after this very song started his legendary career. Fans young and old are instantly on their feet.
Strait and his Ace in the Hole Band tear through the classic with effortless precision. His signature black hat bobs to the beat while steel guitar wails fill the summer air. The 72-year-old icon makes the complex vocal runs sound easy, reminding everyone why this song launched country music’s most enduring career.
George Strait – Unwound (Live in SLC 2024)
Comments overflow with nostalgia, with fans calling it “a full-circle moment.” Many note how Strait performs the song with the same energy as in 1981, just with more mastery. Longtime followers share stories of hearing it on cassette tapes, while new fans marvel at how fresh the decades-old hit still sounds today.
The honky-tonk energy flows seamlessly into All My Ex’s Live in Texas, another crowd-pleaser. This 1987 hit showcases Strait’s knack for turning humorous lyrics into singalong anthems, with the Utah crowd loudly proclaiming their “addresses in the past” right on cue.
George Strait – All My Ex’s Live in Texas (Live)
This CMA Song of the Year winner gets one of the night’s biggest reactions. Strait’s playful delivery and the band’s swinging arrangement turn the stadium into a giant dancehall. The extended steel guitar solo proves why no one blends traditional country with mass appeal better than King George.
Strait’s team shares tour highlights across platforms, with #UnwoundChallenge trending as fans recreate his debut hit. TikTok’s younger users are discovering his early work through these clips, while longtime followers trade stories about first hearing these songs on AM radio – proof of his timeless, generation-spanning appeal.