George Strait pays tribute to wife of 53 years while accepting CMA Lifetime Achievement Award

With 44 chart-topping hits on Billboard's Hot Country Songs list, George Strait is a bona fide legend in the genre and beyond. And at the 2024 CMA Awards at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday (November 20), Strait made a rare public appearance to accept the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award from the Country Music Association.

The tribute opened with a fiery, ferocious Jamie Johnson rendition of Straight's 2006 single “Give It Away,” a No. 1 hit. 1 of Hot Country Songs written by Johnson. (Johnson made headlines a few days ago after he was arrested in Tennessee on Sunday and charged with speeding and drug possession. Johnson has talked about his sobriety journey in the past, but admits he sometimes smokes “a joint”).

Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum followed with Strait's 2008 single 'Troubadour', a rather fitting song for the 72-year-old legend as it's a meditation on music, age and legacy ('I was a young troubadour / When I rode in on a song / And I'll be an old troubadour when I'm gone”).

After that, Straight himself proved he's not done, taking the stage with Chris Stapleton for a full-on duet of 'Honky Tonk Hall of Fame' from his latest album. Cowboys and Dreamers while his wife, Norma Straight, flew from the crowd.

“First of all I want to thank my lord and savior Jesus Christ,” Strait said after finishing his set and receiving a standing ovation from the crowd (including Luke Combs, who mimed bowing to the Straits). “I want to thank the CMAs for adding my name to the incredible artists on this short list of recipients, hearing the icon Willie Nelson's name.”

He also thanked “those great artists” who performed his songs on stage at the CMA Awards. “It's amazing to hear from everyone – I'm so glad I got there before you,” she said, laughing and adding, “Not you, Jamie.”

After paying tribute to some of his departed collaborators over the years, Strait paid tribute to his closest companion of more than half a century. “I want to thank my family for all being here tonight. My wife Norma, my son Bubba, his wife Tamara, my grandchildren Harvey and Jillian,” Strait said. “Especially Norma who has supported me for just 53 years – it's been an amazing 53 years.”