The 3 Best Live Performances of "All My Ex's Live in Texas" Not Done by George Strait
These live covers of the George Strait classic "All My Ex's Live in Texas" are proof that Strait's influence has a wide reach.
George Strait released âAll My Exâs Live in Texasâ in 1987 as the second single from his album Ocean Front Property. It was one in a long run of No. 1 singles for the Texas native. More than that, it became one of his signature songs and remains a favorite among country music fans across the country and around the world.
Strait was the first to release the song and the only one to have a hit with it. However, he was far from the only one to play the song live. Even now, nearly 40 years after its initial release, fans will hear local bands covering it at their favorite bar. Itâs a fun song with a great Western swing rhythm that makes everyone want to dance. Whatâs not to like?
[RELATED: On This Day in 1987, George Strait Scored His 11th No. 1 Single With the Country Banger âAll My Exâs Live in Texasâ]
Today, weâre going to look at some of the best live covers of the Strait classic.
Letâs start with the most obvious cover of this George Strait classic. Whitey Shafer, born Sanger D. Shafer co-wrote âAll My Exâs Live in Texasâ with his wife Lyndia Shafer. While Straitâs version is more popular, several non-country fans have heard Shaferâs version of the son in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Additionally, his rendition of the song appeared in Road House (1988) and the recent horror-comedy series Ash vs Evil Dead.
In 2009, the Academy of Country Music named George Strait its Artist of the Decade. The ACM celebrated the honor with a 2-hour CBS concert special during which several country singers took the stage to cover some of Straitâs biggest hits. Texas native, Miranda Lambert collaborator, and all-around great country singer Jack Ingram took on âAll My Exâs Live in Texasâ during the tribute show.
Have you ever heard a barbershop quartet sing a George Strait song? Well, you have now. The now-defunct Throwback quartet covered âAll My Exâs Live in Texasâ at The Axis in Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 2017 Barbershop Harmony Society International Convention.
This isnât just an incredibly cool and different cover. It also shows that Straitâs influence reaches far beyond the country music world.
Featured Image by Paul Natkin/WireImage