The unprecedented success that George Strait has earned throughout his illustrious 26-year-career could not be captured in the multi-platinum release of his number one hits alone. The King of Country Music has bestowed the perfect companion piece to his multi-platinum 50 NUMBER ONES with 22 MORE HITS. Scheduled for release November 13, 22 MORE HITS contains exactly that - 22 fan favorites and well known Strait hit singles that despite not quite reaching number one at country radio made a timeless impression on country music fans across the country.George Strait has made a career of giving his fans what they want. The songs that Strait compiled for 22 MORE HITS are all timeless hits like "Unwound" (George's first single and first top 10 hit), "If You're Thinking You Want A Stranger," "Amarillo By Morning," "The Fireman," "Cowboys Like Us," "You'll Be There," "Marina Del Ray," and many more. The album also includes the brand new single "How 'Bout Them Cowgirls." Providing a collection of these timeless classics is a true gift to the fans of George Strait.
George Strait has amassed so many charting singles that his record company has nearly run out of compilation titles. Now, fresh from Strait's 2007 CMA Album of the Year Award (for It Just Comes Natural), here comes 22 More Hits, a collection of singles that stopped short of number one but which built his career. "The Fireman," "When Did You Stop Loving Me," and "Lovebug" are fine reminders of his bar-stool-hugging days, when Strait spoke the honky-tonk gospel in a flat Texas drawl. That, of course, was before he waved goodbye to George Jones and Buck Owens (let alone western-swing master Bob Wills) and shaved off most of his rough edges for overwhelmingly smooth, mid-tempo fare like "How 'Bout Them Cowgirls." An appreciative nod to females everywhere, if not all the girls he's loved before, it's a perfect example of how Strait, the consummate country crooner, can elevate average material to glory. But it's also an indication of just how perilously close he could come to being the Julio Iglesias of Nashville if he doesn't watch it. Spin a song like "If You're Thinking You Want a Stranger (There's One Coming Home)" and you'll remember when Strait could be downright--gasp--dangerous! --Alanna Nash
