(Arlington, TX-- February 17, 2009)  Officials with the Dallas Cowboys new stadium announced today Grammy award winning country music artist George Strait will headline the opening event on June 6, 2009.   Strait will be joined by superstar Reba McEntire, hit singer/songwriter Blake Shelton and recording artist and two-time Dancing With The Stars champion Julianne Hough, in what will be the first of many memories at the new stadium.

"George Strait is one of the most successful and prolific country music artists of all time," said Jerry Jones, Owner of the Dallas Cowboys Football Club.  "We wanted one of the greatest entertainers in the world to open what we believe is going to be one of the greatest sports and entertainment venue in the world."

Although he is a Cowboys fan, The King of Country Music is more likely to sing, "How 'Bout Them Cowgirls," along with other fan favorites from his 56 number one singles.  

"I grew up in South Texas and have always been a Dallas Cowboys fan," said Strait.  "I have a lot of great memories from playing the many shows we did at Texas Stadium, as well as watching America's team win their share of Super Bowls.  I am very excited about having the opportunity to do the first concert ever in the magnificent new Cowboys stadium and share this momentous occasion with all the incredible country music fans in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area."

Tickets go on sale at 10 am, Feb. 28 at all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 800.745.3000 and on the web at ticketmaster.com.   Ticket prices are $137.50 for Floor and 100 Club level seats, $104.50 for 200 and 300 level Club seats, $71.50 and $38.50.

On the day of the event parking lots will open at 2 pm, the stadium doors will open at 4 pm and the show will begin at 5:30 pm.

Earlier this year, Strait's Troubadour was named "Best Country Album" during the 51st Annual Grammy Awards.  On April 6, he will receive the Academy of Country Music's 'Artist of the Decade' award in recognition of his record-breaking career.  He also received four additional ACM nominations this year.  Strait has won 19 ACM Awards including "Entertainer of the Year" in 1990.  

With a career that spans more than 25 years, he holds the record for the most Number One hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.  He has sold more than 67 million records, garnering him 32 different platinum or multi-platinum albums resulting in the most RIAA platinum certification in country music and the third in all genres, behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley.  For tour dates and more information, please visit www.georgestrait.com

Reba McEntire (www.reba.com) is one of the most successful female recording artists in history, selling over 55 million albums worldwide and boasting 33 #1 hits.  McEntire is the winner of 2 Grammy Awards, 7 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, 9 People's Choice Awards, 12 Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards and 15 American Music Awards. She is also an acclaimed film, television and Broadway actress whose primetime comedy, Reba, was a top-rated sitcom for six seasons.  In addition, McEntire is a celebrated author and designer of the REBA brand which includes clothing, footwear, home collections, and other products.

Multi-platinum selling recording artist Blake Shelton (www.blakeshelton.com) has released five studio albums, his most recent Startin' Fires in November 2008.  His current hit single, "She Wouldn't Be Gone," is number three on the country singles charts and climbing, the follow up to his multi-week #1 with "Home."  Shelton's hits include his six-week #1 debut single, "Austin," and three additional multi-week #1 singles with "The Baby," "Some Beach" and "Home."  

Julianne Hough (www.juliannehough.com) recently topped both the country and Top 200 charts with her self-titled debut album, as well as with the infectious debut single "That Song In My Head."  Her first holiday album, The Julianne Hough Holiday Collection, was a top-selling Christmas release for Target stores.

About the Dallas Cowboys New Stadium:
When the Dallas Cowboys new stadium opens in 2009 it will be the largest, most technologically advanced sports and entertainment venue in the world.  Designed by HKS and built by Manhattan Construction, the $1.1 billion stadium features two monumental arches, the world's largest HD quality video board, an expansive retractable roof and the largest retractable end zone doors in the world.  Features of the stadium include seating for 80,000 and expandable to 100,000, 300 luxury suites, club seating on multiple levels and the Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop, open to the public year round.  In addition to being the new home of the Dallas Cowboys and the annual AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic, the stadium will host the 2011 Super Bowl, the 2010 NBA All-Star Game and the 2014 NCAA men's basketball Final Four as well as high school and college football, concerts and special events.  For more information, go to http://stadium.dallascowboys.com.

 

Contact:
Carey Marin
214.914.1157
carey@lemastergroup.com

Brett Daniels
Dallas Cowboys Football Club
972.556.9954
bdaniels@dallascowboys.net

Contact for George Strait:
Kathy Best
Kathy@frontpagepublicity.com
615.383.0412