George Strait will soon have a new album to share with the world. The 71-year-old revealed he is working on a new record, Cowboys and Dreamers, while performing in front of more than 51,000 fans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

“We got some new stuff, too, I’m gonna throw in throughout the night, because I broke down and did another record,” Strait told the massive crowd, “and I’m gonna play a few of those for you tonight,”

Strait also touched on the losses he has experienced recently, including his longtime manager, Erv Woolsey, his longtime band member, Gene Elders, and most recently, his road manager of 48 years, Tom Foote.

“The last couple of months have been a tough time… music makes it all better,” Strait said. “Thank you for coming out – we’ve had a great time tonight. This one is for Erv, and Gene and Tom,”

Foote started out as a musician in Strait’s band, Ace in the Hole, before transitioning to his road manager, where he served most of his career.

“We lost another one of our good friends and a huge part of our musical journey yesterday,” Strait wrote earlier this month. “Tom Foote, our one-time drummer and long-time road manager for around 48 years, suddenly passed away at his home after our rehearsal. The band and I were with him most of the afternoon and he was great. Just doing what he loved to do which was making sure we were taken care of.

“2024 is taking its toll on the Ace in the Hole group,” he added. “We’re all heartbroken to say the least. Rest in peace brother Tom. You will be hugely missed. I’ll see you down the road amigo.”

 

Strait announced last year that he was extending his stadium tour in 2024, joined once again by Chris Stapleton and  Little Big Town, who also joined him on the road last year.

“I’ve always said we have the best fans in the world, and to see so many of them show up for these shows just makes us want to keep bringing them more,” Strait said when announcing the 2024 dates. “I’ve also missed performing in Las Vegas during NFR, so I’m happy to see that show come together in 2024. See you soon!”

The Country Music Hall of Fame member spent most of his career on the road, before his farewell 2013 The Cowboy Rides Away Tour, which signified his retirement from touring. But Strait still wanted to perform, albeit without the grueling schedule he endured in the past.

“It just felt right,” Strait told Billboard when the 2023 tour was first announced. “I had the opportunity to work with Chris and Little Big Town and everything just kind of fell in place for next year. I don’t do that many shows anymore, so if we can do a stadium where we can play for more people, that works for me.”

Strait’s last album, Honky Tonk Time Machine, was released in 2019. Find all of his music and upcoming shows at GeorgeStrait.com.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of EB Media / Michele Wedel