George Strait has no need to prove himself to the music community, as he is already deemed the King of Country Music, although his newest project adds more truth to that title than ever. Some people thought Strait was done making music as he plays his famous shows in Vegas and makes only special outside appearances, such as the Houston Rodeo, but they were wrong. Strait’s 30th studio album, titled Honky Tonk Time Machine, was released this morning (March 29th) and fans old and young are ready for some new music.

Honky Tonk Time Machine includes 13 songs written by Strait himself, legendary songwriter Dean Dillon, Bubba Strait, and others including Nashville’s very own Lori McKenna. To surprise fans with the album announcement, Strait released a new song “God and Country Music,” penned by Luke Laird, Barry Dean and Lori McKenna and features a special guest an appearance by Strait’s grandson Harvey. Describing the two subjects hand in hand, Strait sings, “It’s a dance between the sin and salvation/Come hell and high water, there’s still two things worth saving, God and country music.”

“I’m really excited to have some new music coming out,” says Strait in a recent press release. “It’s been about two years since I’ve released a record. It was great writing with Bubba and Dean again and creating such a beautiful song with Bubba and Jeff Hyde. Also, it was a very special thing for me to be able to write and sing one with the legendary Willie Nelson. I hope everyone enjoys listening to Honky Tonk Time Machine as much as I enjoyed making it.” We are so glad the album is finally here and we can get our daily dose of new Strait music.

Diving deeper into the album you will find songs you didn’t know you needed to exist. “What Goes Up” is a slower ballad that reminds us of “I Saw God Today.” Strait sings, “I believe when I pray somebody hears and when I fall on my knees my words aren’t fallen on deaf ears and he has the answers when the answers can’t be found, and oh without a doubt what goes up comes down.” The title track “Honky Tonk Time Machine” brings back the old sounds of country music. Painting the picture of the famous old school ballroom in Austin, the song tells the story of hard-working, blue-collar Americans who spend their nights dancing in honky-tonks and throwing quarters into jukeboxes.

One of the songs that have gotten a lot of attention lately is “Weight of the Badge” and as huge supporters of first responders and military here at New York Country Swag, it is one of our favorites too. The song was revealed at Strait’s Vegas show and after being captured by fans it went viral. The song tells the story of a police officer who followed in the footsteps of his father, leaving his family each day for the last 15 years to step into the line of duty. “He swore that oath to protect and serve / Pours his heart and soul into both those words / Tempered strength is always tough / But he ain’t gonna buckle / Under the weight of the badge,” Strait sings soulfully.

Other songs on the album include Strait’s December release “Codigo,” a song about his favorite drink, all the good times in life and is loaded with his signature twang. “Blue Water” makes you long for some time on the lake, ocean, or river with some sun in the sky to drown all your troubles in, in order to feel like a brand new man again. A pleasant surprise is Strait’s cover of Johnny Paycheck’s classic weeper “Old Violin” as well as a recorded version of the duet “Sing One with Willie,” which he recently debuted at the all-star Willie Nelson tribute in Nashville.

Strait will celebrate the release of the new album with thousands of fans during his one-night-only show at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta one day after the album’s release, on March 30th.

To keep up with George Strait follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook “Honky Tonk Time Machine” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Honky Tonk Time Machine Track Listing & Songwriters

“Every Little Honky Tonk Bar” (George Strait, Bubba Strait, and Dean Dillon)
“Two More Wishes” (Jim Lauderdale and Odie Blackmon”
“Some Nights” (Bubba Strait, Brice Long and Phillip White)
“God and Country Music” with Harvey Strait (Luke Laird, Barry Dean and Lori McKenna)
“Blue Water” (George Strait, Bubba Strait, and Dean Dillon)
“Sometimes Love” (George Strait, Bubba Strait, and Dean Dillon)
“Código” (George Strait, Bubba Strait, and Dean Dillon)
“Old Violin” (Johnny Paycheck)
“Take Me Away” (George Strait, Bubba Strait, and Dean Dillon)
“The Weight of the Badge” (George Strait, Bubba Strait, and Dean Dillon)
“Honky Tonk Time Machine” (Bubba Strait, Brice Long and Bart Butler)
“What Goes Up” (George Strait, Bubba Strait, and Jeff Hyde)
“Sing One with Willie” featuring Willie Nelson (George Strait, Willie Nelson, Bubba Strait, and Buddy Cannon)

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