Las Vegas Weekly

April 6, 2009 · 10:17 AM

Artist of the Decade George Strait to receive a star-studded salute tonight

By Robin Leach

George Strait.

Photo: georgestrait.com

Country music’s top stars all agree that George Strait is the best of all of them, and tonight they will all be singing his praises and songs on a CBS special being recorded for airing May 27. The superstar line-up in MGM’s Grand Garden Arena will be staggering and includes many of the Academy of Country Music Awards’ winners, presenters and performers from last night’s telecast.

Click HERE for all of our coverage on the red carpet and behind the scenes. We’re continuing to post new photos as we receive them. In all, ACM’s official photographers shot 17,353 photos, which were being edited simultaneously by more than a dozen editors working on computers from behind the stage.

Among the stars scheduled for the George Strait special tonight are Brooks & Dunn, Faith Hill & Tim McGraw, John Rich, LeAnn Rimes, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift, Toby Keith, Sugarland, Keith Urban, Alan Jackson, Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert and Lee Ann Womack. Even Jamie Foxx told us last night that he’s basically a country boy at heart coming from Texas -- and because George is one of his best buddies, he will sing on the special, too. They will all cover George’s hits that highlight his amazing 25-year career.

Photo: georgestrait.com

George Strait.

Tonight, the 56-year-old entertainer officially becomes King of Country, and it’s the first time the Artist of the Decade award recipient has been honored with a TV special.

Last night, George lost to Carrie Underwood as Entertainer of the Year, but tonight when he is honored, he joins an elite class of four country music legends: Marty Robbins, Loretta Lynn, Alabama and Garth Brooks. It’s difficult to believe that George’s first No. 1 hit is older than Carrie, Miranda Lambert, Julianne Hough and Taylor Swift!

George last night performed music from his latest album Troubadour -- his 25th studio production and the 25th to go gold. Three of its singles went Top 10, totaling 80 of them in his career!

Tickets are still available for the show that kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Vegas DeLuxe will have another incredible photo report tomorrow.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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