Introduction
When George Strait announced The Cowboy Rides Away Tour, few could have imagined how fitting its finale would be. Beginning January 18, 2013, the tour spanned 48 sold-out shows across North America, quickly becoming the highest-grossing country tour in early 2014 . Fans flocked to arenas and stadiums alike, savoring every note from the traditional country roots that Strait championed throughout his four-decade career.
On June 7, 2014, thousands gathered at AT&T Stadium—home of the Dallas Cowboys—to witness history in the making. As the sun set over Arlington, exactly 104,793 cowboy hats bobbed in unison, setting a new U.S. indoor attendance record that would stand for a decade. The sheer scale of devotion underscored Strait’s rare ability to unite generations under the banner of country music.
“The Cowboy Rides Away” wasn’t just a set-closer—it was the song that defined the tour’s emotional arc. Written by Sonny Throckmorton and Casey Kelly and first released in January 1985, its bittersweet lyrics about riding on from love’s end resonated deeply with fans who’d grown up alongside Strait’s storied career. As his signature tune echoed through the stadium, the reality of the farewell hit home: this was more than a concert—it was a communal goodbye.
Strait didn’t ride alone. He was joined by Martina McBride, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Vince Gill, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, and others, turning the finale into a country-music summit. Each guest added their own flair, but every performance funneled back to Strait’s gentle leadership—proof that even at the pinnacle of success, he remained a collaboration-minded artist.
The night’s magic was captured in a live album released September 16, 2014, and a DVD that followed on November 11, 2014. Chuck Ainlay’s production and David Hewitt’s remote recording preserved the nuance of every chord and cheer, offering fans a chance to relive that hushed hush and thunderous applause for years to come.
More than a farewell, the AT&T Stadium concert signified Strait’s enduring bond with his audience. It set attendance and gross revenue records, and it reaffirmed the power of traditional country music in an ever-evolving genre. A decade later, Strait would once again break his own attendance record, but that night in Arlington remains the emotional cornerstone of his touring legacy