On January 17, 2008, concertgoers at George Strait’s show at the BJCC Arena in Birmingham, Alabama were treated to an unforgettable surprise when Kenny Chesney made an unexpected appearance.
Strait was midway through his 19-city arena tour, which kicked off in Austin, TX, and wrapped up in Lubbock, TX. For 90 minutes, the country icon held the crowd’s attention with his signature traditional country sound, delivering hits like “The Chair,” “Check Yes or No,” “I Can Still Make Cheyenne,” “Run,” “She’ll Leave You With a Smile,” “I Just Want to Dance With You,” and more.
But the energy in the arena skyrocketed when Chesney suddenly walked on stage. Introduced by Strait, the “American Kids” hitmaker stepped out wearing a casual outfit of a black long-sleeve shirt, jeans, and a snug knit cap. Together, the two country superstars performed Strait’s 1983 classic, “Amarillo by Morning.” Trading verses of the iconic lyrics, they had the crowd singing along:
“Amarillo by mornin’ / Up from San Antone / Everything that I got / Is just what I’ve got on.”
Before leaving to the roar of the audience, Chesney hugged Strait, who then smiled and remarked, “That was pretty good, wasn’t it?”
Originally written by Terry Stafford and Paul Fraser, “Amarillo by Morning” appeared on Strait’s album Strait from the Heart. While it never reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, it has since become one of the most beloved songs in his catalog.
That 2008 performance was just one of many moments the two have shared on stage. Chesney has often credited Strait for shaping his own career and style. In a conversation with radio host Bobby Bones, Chesney recalled visiting the islands to film the “How Forever Feels” video and hearing Strait’s music pouring out of a local bar.
“I walked in and asked, ‘Is that really George Strait?’” Chesney remembered. “Two guys, who later became great friends, said, ‘Yeah… and are you Kenny Chesney?’ This was early in my career, so it surprised me. That’s where it all began.”
Chesney has also shared how Strait influenced his early performances. At one of his first gigs in Tennessee, he wasn’t getting any tips until he played Strait’s “The Fireman.”
“That’s when the money started showing up in the jar,” he said. “George taught me a lot about connecting with an audience.”
Expressing gratitude, Chesney added, “I’m so thankful for his friendship and for everything he’s given to country music and to me.”
Following his Here And Now 2022 Tour, Chesney is preparing for his 21-date I Go Back 2023 Tour, beginning March 25 in State College, PA, and wrapping in July. Strait, meanwhile, is set to hit the road with Chris Stapleton and Little Big Town for a six-date stadium tour kicking off May 6 in Glendale, AZ, and concluding August 5 in Tampa, FL, with stops in Seattle, Denver, Milwaukee, and Nashville.