George Strait's star shines brighter every year. Throughout a 10-year span his fans have never been larger in number nor more adoring. As soon as the lights dimmed at McNichol's Arena, the hollering for Strait grew into an overwhelming roar, a roar that seemed to let up only sporadically throughout the show.

He didn't need to win over the crowd on this night, it was all his - from his first casual stroll up to the stage until his final, slow exit through a gauntlet of outstretched hands. The evening seemed almost a surreal reenactment of the stage scenes (minus the fog) from his popular movie, "Pure Country."

The performance was "in the round." One either likes this arrangement or not. Microphones were placed on all four sides of the stage and Strait played to the closely packed crowds, rotating, after 2 or 3 songs, from one side of the stage to the next. This arrangement certainly affords those in the further reaches of the arena a better view. However, it can be a little disconcerting to find oneself staring at the backside of a performer as he launches into a favorite melody.

The song selections were well chosen. Old favorites such as "Amarillo by Morning" were mixed with newer hits. The show opened with a personal favorite of Strait's, "They Call Me the Fireman" and moved seamlessly from slow to fast-paced tunes and back. For the encore, Strait sang his piece from the Asleep at the Wheel Tribute to Bob Wills CD, "Big Balls in Cowtown," then moved to "This is Where the Cowboy Rides Away." As the latter song was playing, Strait moved slowly around the perimeter of the stage shaking hands with the lucky fans in the first few rows and accepting yet more roses from his admirers.

Strait seemed to enjoy the show as much as the fans, continually breaking into an easy smile. He never strays much from his western swing/conventional country format. What you see is what you get, and that's just how admirers wants it. His tour is a must see for anyone who appreciates a straight forward performance from a well-grounded country traditionalist.

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