George Strait – Intro & “Stars on the Water”: A Shimmering Opening Moment — Live in Ames, 2024
When George Strait stepped onto the stage in Ames, Iowa, 2024, the night didn’t begin with fireworks or massive production. It began the way Strait always prefers — with grace, warmth, and the quiet power of a man who knows he doesn’t need anything but a guitar and a song. And the perfect opening choice was “Stars on the Water.”
Originally written and recorded by Rodney Crowell, the song has become one of Strait’s most beloved tour openers — a breezy, shimmering tune that feels like stepping into a warm summer night. With its rolling rhythm and imagery of moonlit waves reflecting like “stars on the water,” it creates exactly the atmosphere Strait loves: calm, timeless, and full of promise.
In Ames 2024, the intro began with the band settling into that soft, sunlit groove:
• Gentle electric guitar picking gliding across the speakers
• Steel guitar glowing like starlight
• A laid-back rhythm that instantly pulled the crowd into the moment
Then George walked out.
The arena erupted.
A thunder of applause, cheers, cowboy hats raised high.
He smiled — that unmistakable Texas smile — and tipped his hat before the first line rolled out of him, smooth as a river at dusk:
“Down in Louisiana, where the black trees grow…”
His voice was warm, relaxed, and completely in command. Strait didn’t have to push. He simply was. And that’s all the magic the song ever needs.
The crowd swayed, already locked into the night’s energy. You could feel the anticipation building — the excitement of knowing you’re witnessing the start of something unforgettable. Strait’s delivery floated effortlessly over the melody, capturing that dreamy, drifting tone that makes the song glow like lantern light over water.
By the first chorus, the arena was alive:
Ames was singing.
Strait was smiling.
And the night had officially begun.
“Stars on the Water” isn’t flashy. It’s not loud.
It’s atmosphere.
It’s mood.
It’s the perfect musical curtain-raiser for a man whose concerts feel like coming home.
In 2024, in Ames, George Strait didn’t just start a show —
he invited thousands of people into a summer evening that felt like it could last forever.