He’s the king of country music, but now George Strait has a new title: Texan of the Year.
The honor was presented to Strait at the annual Texas Legislative Conference in New Braunfels on Friday. Strait joins a prominent group of honorees dating back to 1974.
"It makes me beam with pride to be honored as your Texan of the Year," Strait said.
"I think it's great. I'm really proud of him," said Bubba Strait, Strait's son.
Hurricane Harvey left the Texas coast devastated, so Strait, who grew up in Pearsall, stepped up to help by doing what he does best: He put on a show.
"It was a great honor for me to be able to help bring attention to it and get support from people all across the United States," Strait said in his acceptance speech.
Strait's concert at San Antonio’s Majestic Theatre was part of a national broadcast that raised money for hurricane relief. Strait's efforts and those by other performers, including Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert, helped raise millions of dollars to help rebuild areas impacted by the hurricane.
"We're still continuing to recover, and with the help of many, many loyal and kind-hearted Texans, we will get those communities back on their feet again," Strait said.
Strait added that the new title is one he will cherish forever.
"I've had a career that I never could have dreamed of in a million years. I've gotten to do and experience many incredible things that I'll never forget because of it,” he said. “I've been supported by my great home state of Texas throughout it all. This honor today, my good friends, is tip top of that list.”