Scotty McCreery just premiered his latest music video, paying tribute to the King of Country. The first minute of the “Damn Strait” music video captures McCreery walking up to Gruene Hall, hailed as Texas’ oldest dance hall in New Braunfels. The only noise is McCreery’s footsteps, a distant train, a dog barking and a few other natural sounds. Text across the screen explains the significance of the historic hall:
“In the fall of 1975, the first of what would be many performances by ‘Ace in the Hole Band’ took place at Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, TX.
“For six years, the band was a Gruene Hall fixture, spending what little free time they had between shows traveling to Nashville in hopes of landing a record deal.
“In 1981, after several failed attempts at a recording contract, the group made one last trip to Music City, resolving, ‘If it doesn’t happen this time, it will be our last try.’
“By year’s end, Ace’s lead singer, George Strait, would make his major label debut with the release of Strait Country.
“The album marked the beginning of a country giant’s decades-long career. The album’s iconic cover would be photographed at Gruene Hall.”
McCreery’s black-and-white video captures memorabilia of Strait’s performances at the Texas dance hall, all while the “Five More Minutes” singer takes a nostalgic look back at a lost relationship: “Damn Strait, you're killing me man/ You know I've always been your biggest fan/ Now I can't even listen/ ‘Cause I'll get to missin' her/ Then the hurt gets worse/ Damn Strait, I used to love your songs/ But now every time that one comes on/ My heart gets broke in half/ But do I wish I could get her back?/ Damn Strait”
McCreery is one of many artists included in the star-studded lineup at the iHeartCountry Festival presented by Capital One, set for May 7 in Austin, Texas. Fans can tune in and stream the 2022 iHeartCountry Festival on iHeartMedia's Country music radio stations in local markets across the country, as well as on iHeartRadio.com and the iHeartRadio app on May 7th at 8pm ET/5pm PT (7pm CT). Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com.
Watch his latest music video here: