George Strait

George Strait's successful country music career has spanned more than three decades. The native Texan, who in 2006 was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, has more than 50 No. 1 hit singles and has won dozens of awards, including honors from the Country Music Association and the American Music Awards. Strait, a current Grammy nominee, performs Saturday at 1st Mariner Arena. Country music group Little Big Town will also perform. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $54.50-$64.

CONCERT George Strait : They call him the "King of Country," yet they could also call him the "King of Baltimore." Huge crowds are a given when he comes to town. He brings a warm, easygoing style to his vast catalog of heartland-themed hits. The show, which also features Reba McEntire, starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday at 1st Mariner Arena. Web: www.baltimorearena.com COMEDY Cheech and Chong: This pot-smoking comic duo have been reunited after more 20 years. Part stoner yuckfest, part marijuana political rally, their tour had a shaky start, but it's picking up some steam after more than a year on the road.

When bitty little George Strait throws back his bitty little head and sings one of those sweet, sad cowboy songs of lost love or enduring friendship, "Pure Country" indeed achieves a kind of purity. Strait is instantly believable and instantly likable: little guy, looks as tough as brass ball bearings, his head almost gobbled up by a hat half the size of Texas, and the other half of him squeezed like toothpaste out of jeans so enameled to his scrawny frame you'd think he'd sing like a Vienna Choir boy. But he has a laid-back country grace and a hard little kernel of self-regard at the center of his presence, and that big old voice is as commanding as a blues saxophone.

George Strait named artist of decade in TV special George Strait was to be saluted as the Academy of Country Music's artist of the decade in an all-star concert that was to air Wednesday night on CBS. The show was taped last month in Las Vegas and features performances by Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Toby Keith, Brooks & Dunn, Keith Urban, Taylor Swift , Jamie Foxx, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride and more. Garth Brooks, named artist of the decade for the 1990s, presented Strait his award. Strait's career spans nearly 25 years and includes many classics, including Amarillo by Morning, The Chair and Give It Away.

In yesterday's coverage of the CMA awards, an incorrect title was listed for a song performed by George Strait. The CMA's Male Vocalist of the Year sang "Blue Clear Sky."The Sun regrets the error.pTC Pub Date: 10/04/96

Last year it was Michael Bolton. This time it's Sting.The respected rock singer-songwriter is taking a cue from pop's self-avowed soul provider by making his Nashville television debut on tonight's 31st annual Country Music Association awards.Like Bolton, who performed with friend and country vocalist rTC Wynonna, the ex-Police-man will take the stage with Oklahoman Toby Keith to sing their duet version of "I'm So Happy I Can't Stop Crying."The tune, originally on Sting's "Mercury Falling," was recorded for Keith's current "Dream Walkin'" project -- though the singers taped their vocals separately.

HOT FIVE 1. "Candy Shop," 50 Cent 2. "Hate It or Love It," The Game 3. "Since You Been Gone," Kelly Clarkson 4. "Obsession (No Es Amor)," Frankie J 5. "Lonely," Akon Billboard ALBUMS 1. The Massacre, 50 Cent 2. Guero, Beck 3. The B. Coming, Beanie Sigel 4. Pleasure & Pain, 112 5. Now 18, Various Artists Billboard CONCERT TOURS 1. Eagles 2. George Strait 3. Cher 4. Josh Groban 5. Hilary Duff Pollstar DVD SALES 1. The Incredibles (widescreen)...

Top Fives HOT FIVE 1. "Candy Shop," 50 Cent 2. "Hate It or Love It," The Game 3. "Since You Been Gone," Kelly Clarkson 4. "Lonely," Akon 5. "Obsession (No Es Amor)," Frankie J Billboard ALBUMS 1. The Massacre, 50 Cent 2. The First Lady, Faith Evans 3. Guero, Beck 4. Now 18, Various Artists 5. Pleasure & Pain, 112 Billboard CONCERT TOURS 1. Eagles 2. George Strait 3. Cher 4. Josh Groban 5. Motley Crue Pollstar DVD SALES 1. The Incredibles (widescreen) 2. Closer 3. The Incredibles (pan and scan)

Sarah Johns herself will tell you she's a "traditional kinda girl." For her debut CD, Big Love in a Small Town, the country-music newcomer didn't want too much pop polish applied to her sound. "Honey, I love Hank Williams, music like that - real country music," says the native Kentuckian. "If it was up to me, I would've put fiddles and steel all over [the album]. It would've been nothing but shuffles." In concert Sarah Johns and George Strait perform at 1st Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St., at 7:30 Friday night.

TELEVISION 1.American Idol (Tuesday), Fox 2.American Idol (Thursday), Fox 3.CSI, CBS 4.Dancing with the Stars (Monday), ABC 5.NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, CBS FILMS 1.Prom Night, Sony 2.Street Kings, Fox Searchlight 3.21, Sony 4.Nim's Island, Fox 5.Leatherheads, Universal SINGLES 1.Touch My Body, Mariah Carey 2.Bleeding Love, Leona Lewis 3.4 Minutes, Madonna 4.Lollipop, Lil' Wayne 5.Love in This Club, Usher ALBUMS 1.Troubadour, George...

Sarah Johns herself will tell you she's a "traditional kinda girl." For her debut CD, Big Love in a Small Town, the country-music newcomer didn't want too much pop polish applied to her sound. "Honey, I love Hank Williams, music like that - real country music," says the native Kentuckian. "If it was up to me, I would've put fiddles and steel all over [the album]. It would've been nothing but shuffles." In concert Sarah Johns and George Strait perform at 1st Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St., at 7:30 Friday night.

Just announced "Glow in the Dark Tour" -- featuring Kanye West, Rihanna, N.E.R.D. and Lupe Fiasco, Nissan Pavilion in Bristow, Va., on May 10. Tickets go on sale at noon tomorrow. Also, Rush plays there July 19. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. tomorrow. 410-547-7328 or ticketmaster.com. Gladys Knight, the Dells -- Pier Six Pavilion on Aug. 3. Also, James Taylor is there May 31. Tickets go on sale at noon tomorrow. 410-547-7328 or ticketmaster.com. Widespread Panic -- Warner Theatre in Washington April 1-2. 410-547-7328 or ticketmaster.

George Strait's successful country music career has spanned more than three decades. The native Texan, who in 2006 was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, has more than 50 No. 1 hit singles and has won dozens of awards, including honors from the Country Music Association and the American Music Awards. Strait, a current Grammy nominee, performs Saturday at 1st Mariner Arena. Country music group Little Big Town will also perform. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $54.50-$64.

You never know what's going to happen when you sign to a major label: You could languish in obscurity as you did before, or you could turn into Miranda Lambert. Lambert hasn't quite hit household-name status, but the gritty country singer's getting there: Her major-label debut, Kerosene, has been a steady seller since its release last year, and after her appearance on the recent Country Music Association Awards (in which the stage was set on fire, literally), it's not like anyone's going to forget her anytime soon.

Top Fives HOT FIVE 1. "Hollaback Girl," Gwen Stefani 2. "Hate It or Love It," The Game 3. "Oh," Ciara 4. "Lonely," Akon 5. "Just a Lil Bit," 50 Cent Billboard magazine ALBUMS 1. Devils & Dust, Bruce Springsteen 2. The Emancipation of Mimi, Mariah Carey 3. Disturbing tha Peace Presents Bobby Valentino, Bobby Valentino 4. ... Something to Be, Rob Thomas 5. Touch, Amerie Billboard magazine CONCERT TOURS 1. Eagles 2. Kenny Chesney 3. George...