A fixture on the country charts since his very first single, 'Unwound,' became a hit in 1981, George Strait has been called a living legend and is known by the moniker 'King George.' Born and raised in Poteet, Texas, where in high school he played in a rock and roll garage band, the singer was influenced by the likes of Merle Haggard, George Jones and Hank Williams. Strait's college years served as the gateway to his country career. He fronted a band called 'Ace in the Hole,' performing at honkey tonks and bars around south and central Texas. When he signed with MCA Records the band remained with him, performing as the backup and as his touring band. Little did its members know they were playing for a man who would end up recording 59 number-one hit singles, more than any other artist in the history of music, by 2012.Strait's country roots have been evident from the beginning. He amassed seven number one albums in the 1980's with songs like 'Ocean Front Property,' 'Amarillo by Morning' and 'The Chair.' The 90's brought 'I Cross My Heart,' 'Carrying Your Love With Me' and 'Carried Away.' The turn of the century was perhaps even more kind. It was 2008 when his single, 'I Saw God Today,' debuted at No. 19 on the Radio and Records and Billboard charts, the highest debut ever for a single from Strait, and the fourth highest debut for a song in country music history.George Strait by-the-numbers is a tale of amazing statistics, 13 multi-platinum, 33 platinum and 38 gold albums to date. But it's the fans who continue to pour through the turnstiles at stadiums, arenas and amphitheaters around the country that are a testament to the universal nature of Strait's material. Strait toured with the incomparable Martina McBride to open 2012. It was recently announced he will play the 2013 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, marking his 21st appearance at RODEOHOUSTON.