George Strait and Me

In 1983, I danced with George Strait - or at least I think I did!

I was Executive Chairperson of the Houston chapter of The Holiday Project. We were a volunteer group that visited folks in nursing homes and hospitals on Christmas Day and Hanukkah. Throughout the year, we raised money to purchase gifts for those visits, and in 1983, we had a "Big Ball in Cowtown" fundraiser. The music was provided by Bob White and Doc Lewis who were original members of Bob Willis and The Texas Playboys.

Back then, country music wasn't as widely appreciated as it is today, and that was reflected in the attendance. So, it was easy to spot a group of 5-6 guys dressed in costumes walking into the dance single file. I noticed them - and then went back to my duties.

At some point, I was asked to dance by one of those guys. He was dressed in white tights, white t-shirt, red boxer shorts, and an old-man mask. You know, that mask that has lots of long stringy hair and a face with a long, crooked nose. So, as this guy is spinning me around, he asked me if I was the one in charge. He then asked if I would vote him the winner of the costume judging! How cheeky! Don't remember what I said but I am sure it was something just as cheeky! I then asked him who he was, and he said he couldn't tell me. Whaaat?

I then asked one of the other team members, Shar Redman, to find out who he was. She told me later that he was hesitant to take off his mask because the DJ would recognize him. So she suggested they go out into the hallway.

He pulled off his mask and looked at her expectantly. Shar just stared at him - not knowing who the hell he was!

She said, "So.... who are you?"

He said, "George Strait."

And she asked (Yep, you know what's coming!), "Are you famous or something?"

Poor George! This was at the time when he was just becoming well known. The movie, Urban Cowboy, was out and his song, Amarillo by Morning, was charting in the top 10.

And I have to admit - I wouldn't have recognized him myself. I love his music and would dance to it regularly at the Yellow Rose Dance Hall, but I had never seen his face.

So, the next day I went to a record shop and found the album with the cover shown above. I remember gasping at his beautiful blue eyes and his handsome face. And hoping that I truly had danced with George Strait.

I have had fantasies of running into him at golf tournaments that he plays in or at Tapatio Springs Resort in Boerne, TX, where he is part owner.

And yet at the same time, hoping to not run into him. I think it is more fun to hold onto the possibility that I had danced with George rather than find out he either doesn't remember or is clear he had never been to a dance in Houston TX wearing an old-man mask and red boxer shorts.

Love and Light!

Kristina Langston