Watch the video at the end of this article.
Introduction
George Strait has openly addressed the decline in his music being played on country radio stations, most notably through his 2016 song “Kicked Outta Country.”
Here are the key reasons and his perspective:
- Ageism and Changing Format: Strait believes that country radio stations increasingly prioritize younger artists and a more pop/bro-country sound, leaving less room for traditional country artists like himself. In “Kicked Outta Country,” he directly sings lines like, “I just got the news today, the record I sent them they threw it away / It don’t fit the format, don’t make the list / They said I’m too old, won’t even be missed.”
- “Too Country” for Modern Radio: As the country music landscape shifted, Strait’s traditional neo-traditional sound, which defined his decades of success, became less aligned with what mainstream country radio was looking for. Many fans and critics agree that country radio has moved away from its roots.
- Lack of “Radio-Friendly” Single Choices: Some speculate that the song choices from his later albums haven’t always been the most “radio-friendly” by current industry standards, which could also contribute to less airplay.
- His Stance on Changing His Sound: Strait has consistently maintained that he will not change his musical style to fit current radio trends. “It don’t really matter, because I ain’t gonna change / ‘Cause getting kicked outta country won’t hurt a thing,” he sings, emphasizing his commitment to his authentic sound.
Despite the reduced radio airplay, George Strait remains an incredibly successful artist with a massive and dedicated fanbase, regularly selling out stadiums and setting attendance records for his concerts. This demonstrates that his music still resonates deeply with a large audience, even if it’s not consistently heard on mainstream country radio