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Introduction
Country music legends George Strait and Miranda Lambert are set to join the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2026, a fitting tribute to their profound influence on the genre. The Texas Heritage Songwriters Association, which celebrates artists who have helped define the state’s unique culture, announced the four new inductees, who also include songwriters Don Cook and the late Keith Gattis.
Miranda Lambert, a Lindale, Texas native, rose to fame after her appearance on Nashville Star in 2003. She is a prolific songwriter, penning many of her most respected hits, including “Over You,” “Tin Man,” and “Bluebird.” George Strait, known as “The King of Country,” has more number one songs than any other artist in country music history. While he is famous for his performance of songs by other writers, Strait has also written meaningful tracks himself, such as “I Believe” and “The Weight of the Badge.”
Other inductees include Don Cook, a Texas native who has written hits for artists like Brooks & Dunn, Blake Shelton, and George Jones, and Keith Gattis, who collaborated with Strait and Lambert, as well as Kenny Chesney. The induction ceremony will take place on February 21, 2026, at ACL Live in Austin.
Upon hearing the news, Miranda Lambert expressed her honor on social media, writing that it’s a “huge honor” to be inducted alongside her “hero” George Strait and the other legends. She shared a touching photo of herself as a child with her father, her first co-writer, who taught her to play guitar and inspired her love for music.
Both Strait and Lambert have recently demonstrated their Texas pride by hosting benefit concerts to help their home state. Following catastrophic floods in July, Strait’s concert raised $6.25 million for relief efforts. Similarly, Lambert and Parker McCollum’s “Band Together Texas” show, which featured a surprise performance from Jason Aldean, raised an incredible $8.5 million. It’s a testament to their character that these icons are not only celebrated for their music but also for their commitment to helping their fellow Texans in times of need.
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