George Strait To Receive 'Billboard' Legend Of Live Award

George Strait‘s 30+ years of touring will earn the country entertainer the Legend Of Live Award during the 10th annual Billboard Touring Awards, which will be held Nov. 14 at The Roosevelt Hotel in New York. Strait will be the first country artist to earn the trophy, which honors individual artists or bands that make an enduring impact on the live music/touring industry.
The award comes as Strait is in the middle of his Cowboy Rides Away farewell tour, which is slated to run through 2014.
“George Strait’s fans span generations, and he is committed to making his live shows the best possible experience for fans and, as such, is uniquely deserving of this award,” said Billboard Editorial Director Bill Werde. “From his days in the Texas honky-tonks, through the creation of country music touring festivals in stadiums, and his top-shelf, professional touring strategies and production, George Strait’s talent and style transcends musical trends. Billboard is honored to name George Strait as our first country music Legend Of Live.”
Previous recipients of the Legend Of Live Award include Sir Elton John, rock band Journey, promoters Michael Cohl and Jack Boyle, Allman Brothers Band, Ozzy Osbourne, Rush, agent Frank Barsalona, and last year’s honoree, Neil Diamond.
The Billboard Touring Awards are based on the Billboard Boxscore chart and box office performance of artists and bands between Oct. 1, 2012 and Sept. 30, 2013.