LDT “🎖️ George Strait Named 2025 Kennedy Center Honoree — A Salute to the King of Country”
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Country music royalty George Strait is officially among this year’s recipients of the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors, celebrating his lifetime of contributions to American music and culture. The announcement, made Tuesday morning, cements Strait’s place not only as a legend of country music but as one of the most enduring figures in the nation’s performing arts.
Known to millions as the King of Country, Strait’s career spans more than four decades, with 60 No. 1 singles, over 120 million records sold, and a reputation for blending tradition with timeless authenticity. The Kennedy Center called him “a bridge between country’s storied past and its vibrant present.”
“It’s truly humbling,” Strait said in a statement. “I’ve spent my life doing what I love — making music for the fans who’ve been with me every step of the way. To be honored alongside so many artists I admire is something I’ll never forget.”
Strait will join a select group of 2025 honorees across various art forms — including film, dance, and theater — who will be recognized during a December gala at the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, D.C. The ceremony, attended by the President and First Lady, will feature performances and tributes from some of the biggest names in entertainment.
This honor adds to a long list of accolades for Strait, who has already been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, received the Grammy for Best Country Album, and remains one of the few artists to have No. 1 hits in five different decades.
Fellow musicians and fans alike have celebrated the announcement across social media. Country star Chris Stapleton, who has toured with Strait in recent years, wrote: “Nobody deserves this more. George defines what it means to be an American artist.”
Even after more than 40 years on stage, Strait continues to perform to sold-out stadiums, most recently setting U.S. attendance records at Texas A&M’s Kyle Field and announcing a return to Clemson’s Memorial Stadium in 2026.
As the Kennedy Center described in its release, “George Strait’s music tells the story of America — honest, heartfelt, and timeless.”
🇺🇸 A legend honored. A legacy that still sings.
