About The Song
When George Strait took the stage on June 7, 2014, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, he wasn’t just performing—he was closing the book on his storied “The Cowboy Rides Away Tour.” That night, Strait delivered a definitive rendition of his classic “The Cowboy Rides Away (Live From AT&T Stadium),” immortalized later on the live album released September 16, 2014 by MCA Nashville .
Originally penned by acclaimed songwriters Sonny Throckmorton and Casey Kelly, and first recorded in 1985, “The Cowboy Rides Away” has become synonymous with Strait’s legacy—a bittersweet anthem of endings and new beginnings. For this farewell concert, the song took on fresh resonance as the final notes of a night that drew a record-breaking crowd of 104,793 fans—the largest single-show attendance ever at a U.S. stadium.
The live recording spans over seventy minutes of Strait’s greatest moments, but it’s the closing bars of “The Cowboy Rides Away (Live From AT&T Stadium)” that resonate most deeply. Backed by his longtime Ace in the Hole Band and joined by a superstar lineup of guests—Martina McBride, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, and more—Strait’s warm baritone carried the weight of decades on the road and the poignancy of a final bow. Producer Chuck Ainlay captured every heartfelt strum of steel guitar and every fan’s cheer, preserving the night’s emotional gravity for posterity.
More than just a concert closer, “The Cowboy Rides Away (Live From AT&T Stadium)” stands as a testament to George Strait’s enduring bond with his audience. In a genre often chasing trends, Strait’s choice to end on this song—his own “goodnight” to country music—underscores the sincerity and tradition at the heart of his career. Even now, listeners young and old return to this live version, finding in its lyrics a universal truth: though the cowboy may ride away, the music—and the memories—remain forever.