George Strait debuted the first release from his 31st album, Cowboys And Dreamers, with the song “MIA Down in MIA”.   Cowboys and Dreamers will be the followup to 2019’s Honky Tonk Time Machine, which opened at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Written by Adam Craig and Dean Dillon, and produced by Strait with Chuck Ainlay, MIA Down in MIA features the Strait’s Ace in the Hole Band, including longtime fiddle player Gene Elder. Said George of the song: “I’m dedicating this record to my longtime manager and friend Erv Woolsey and my longtime fiddle player and friend Gene Elders (a player on four of these tracks), who we lost on the same day, March 20, 2024, as well as my longtime friend and road manager Tom Foote, who we lost on April 29, 2024. I will never forget all of the good times we had together. May they rest in peace with our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Strait announced he will release Cowboys And Dreamers during his show earlier this month at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium, the home of NFL franchise Indianapolis Colts. Said Strait: “We got some new stuff, too, I’m gonna throw in throughout the night, because I broke down and did another record, and I’m gonna play a few of those for you tonight.” The 71-year-old also shared several new songs from the forthcoming album, including “Three Drinks Behind,” and was joined by Chris Stapleton on two numbers, “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame” and “You Don’t Know What You’re Missing”.

Strait is also on the road with his stadium tour, featuring Stapleton and Little Big Town; visit georgestrait.com for tickets and other information.

Cowboys And Dreamers is set for release on September 6, 2024; you can take a listen to “MIA Down in MIA” –  here.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com