A Colorado audience got the rare chance to see George Strait perform in a small venue earlier this month, when the country legend hopped onstage as a surprise performer during the Gunnison Tough Singer-Songwriter Shuffle.
It happened when Dean Dillon — a famed Nashville songwriter and close collaborator of Strait’s — was playing his set at the Almont Resort in Almont, Colo.
“Something ain’t right. I think we’re in the wrong key or something,” Dillon told the crowd as he stood onstage, before adding that he’d asked “a buddy of mine” to come help him play the show.
“Hey, y’all welcome George Strait,” he said as cheers erupted from the crowd.
Out came the King of Country, who flashed a grin at the crowd and joked, “I thought that was pretty good, Dean, myself.”
“What are we here for? We’re here for a good time, right?” Strait told the crowd, as he launched into an acoustic rendition of his hit “Here for a Good Time.”
It’s Almost Unheard-Of to See George Strait Play a Small Room
The King of Country retired from touring in 2014, and though it’s since proven impossible for him to entirely stay off the stage, he’s certainly scaled down the number of dates he performs.
For the past few years, fans’ best chance to see Strait live in concert has been at a limited run of stadium shows he mounts each year, typically with Chris Stapleton and Little Big Town also on the bill.
He’s currently in the midst of the 2025 iteration of that run.
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But when Strait does perform, it’s almost always at a huge show.
His appearance at the Songwriter Shuffle took place in a small-capacity setting, delivering an intimate concert experience that’s high on any Strait fan’s bucket list.
A Fun Surprise With a Good Cause
Gunnison Tough — which was launched in part by Dillon — supports comprehensive cancer care programs in the Gunnison and Hinsdale counties of Colorado.
This year’s Songwriter Shuffle event raised over $1.1 million for the cause and also featured appearances from Pam Tillis, Jerrod Neimann, star fiddle player Jenee Fleenor and more.
Fleenor also shared some videos and photos of Strait’s surprise performance, saying, “it was so fun seeing everyone’s faces light up when he walked out!”
The King of Country Has a Heart for Giving Back
Strait has been keeping busy this summer, with both his stadium shows and special appearances.
After the catastrophic Texas flooding that occurred in early July, he announced a benefit show in Boerne, Texas, which took place over the weekend.
That show included appearances from Riley Green, Randy Houser and Jamey Johnson, the latter of whom sang with Strait during the show.
Country Stars Who Suffered Unthinkable Tragedy
Not all country stars came by their storytelling ability naturally. Sadly, many singers have encountered great tragedies in their lives, or have overcome sharp odds to get where they are today. Many have battled unbearable, unimaginable pain.
PICTURES: Look Inside George Strait’s Spectacular Mansion
George Strait has sold his one-of-a-kind mansion in Texas, and it was actually a real deal. The country legend asked $6.9 million for his 7,925-square-foot home that includes three bedrooms, four full bathrooms and two half-baths on a hilltop in a very exclusive area of San Antonio. The final selling price was not disclosed.
The house sits on 12.2 acres and includes a gourmet kitchen, separate his and her bathrooms and closets and 14 hand-sculpted masonry fireplaces. The main house is wired for surround sound throughout, and it also features outdoor living spaces including a patio with built-in grill, sink, icemaker and refrigerator. There’s also an infinity pool/spa and a sports court, a workout room with a private bathroom and sauna, and a walk-in safe room.
Gallery Credit: Sterling Whitaker