Two Worlds Collide as George Strait Joins Bruce Springsteen On Stage

You probably didn’t have The Boss and The King coming together on stage on your 2023 bingo card or country music wish list, but it’s a pretty cool moment nonetheless.

Bruce Springsteen is currently on a gigantic world tour with The E Street Band, and it’s been blowing out arenas coast to coast, while also being one of the toughest tickets in live entertainment to secure. Folks attending Bruce’s show Thursday night, February 16th at the new Moody Center in Austin, TX got a special treat when not one, but two American music legends took the stage.

No, George Strait did not perform. After his official retirement a few years ago, his live performances are rather few and far between (and just as pricey as The Boss’s). But George Strait did show up to be a kind and neighborly Texan by coming out to officially introducing Bruce and the E Street Band to the Moody Center audience.

Strolling out on stage to rousing applause, and wearing some silly security clearance sticker on his chest (as if folks in Austin won’t recognize Strait), George and Bruce shook hands and shoulder hugged before Strait took to the microphone to say, “Austin, TX! It’s my honor tonight to introduce to you a man that really needs no introduction, right? Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band!”

Talk about a warm Texas reception. When George Strait comes to roll out the red carpet for you, you know it’s something special. Strait also helped officially open the new Moody Center in Austin on April 30th, 2022 with Willie Nelson and the Randy Rogers Band. Strait lives just south of San Antonio.

Though George Strait is known for being one of the most starched and pressed artists in country music history, he also loves his classic rock, regularly covering Tom Petty in concert. And even though Bruce is best known for rock, his album Nebraska has been super influential in the country and Americana realm, and his 2019 album Western Stars was heavily country influenced.

Greatness recognizes greatness. Maybe a collaboration be in the works for the future? We’ll have to see, but for now let’s just bask in this cool moment only Texas could create before the trolls show up to call Bruce a communist.

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