This Saturday, June 7th, 2014, marks a momentous day for country music fans as the final date of what George Strait has announced as his farewell to the road: The Cowboy Rides Away Tour. Taking place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the event will feature an all-star roster of guest artists, including Kenny Chesney, who shared his thoughts about an epic evening…and a hero. (AUDIO INFO BELOW)

• Guests for George’s tour finale, each to play a couple of songs with George, include not only Kenny, but also Jason Aldean, Eric Church, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, and Martina McBride, with Asleep at the Wheel opening the evening.
• Kenny’s teasing some new music! Check out the video preview below of his new single, “American Kids,” set to arrive at country radio on June 20th!

  Kenny Chesney talks about George Strait and performing on the last show of George’s final tour. (:56)
“You know, this coming Saturday night in Dallas is gonna be so many things for so many people — only ‘cause George Strait means so many things (laughs) to so many people. And it’d be hard to find someone that’s had a bigger impact on the music that we love and all the lives that were touched than George Strait. I was in high school when I heard ‘Unwound,’ and I never met George until I went on the road with him I don’t think — maybe I met him at the BMI Awards one year, but very briefly. And to be a part of his last show is exciting, but it’s gonna be pretty emotional I would imagine. There’s your hero up there, and you know, he’s walkin’ away from something that he loves to do; that’s all he’s known. And I don’t know if he’s walking away, but as far as touring constantly, you know, I think he’ll do shows here and there — I would (laughs), I think, but George means a lot to me.”

  Kenny Chesney says that performing on George Strait’s final tour date means a great deal to him. (1:13)
“George is a hero; he’s a friend. He’s someone that has inspired me. He’s someone that has taught me a lot, indirectly, by just watching him, his song sense, his stage charisma — you name it. George has, in so many ways, influenced me as an artist, as a person. And like I said, just pickin’ songs. When I was new in this business, my God, I was like everybody else. We wanted to be as successful as George was, you know, and I learned pretty quickly by studying him that it all starts with the songs. And those songs that George cut and performed all these years will live forever. I mean, they just will. They’re songs that never go out of style because they touch people’s lives. And to be a part of, you know, his career, and doing two years with him on the road — and the first time I did stadium shows was with George, you know, and I was the first guy on…actually the second. And that’s where I learned how to do that. So, to be a part of his career has been one of the biggest highlights of my career and my life. And like I said, he’s taught me a lot about music, a lot about friendship, and I’m very excited to be a part of his last show, and to be up there singin’ a couple of songs with him, and to watch him say good-bye.”