George Strait has lived and breathed being a country cowboy all his life, and his job before he got famous is a testament to that.
Videos by Wide Open Country
The country legend struggled musically for years before being taken seriously (which happened after he quit country music). As he performed with his band, the Ace In The Hole Band, he had a part-time job that proves he really is as much of a cowboy as he looks.
George Strait sat down for an interview once that explains his career while he was trying to get somewhere in the music industry.
Before and during his early career before making it big, George Strait worked on ranches. He grew up on a ranch and was taught all the necessary skills by his dad. Unsurprisingly, he loved ranch work, and still does it as much as he can to this day.
During his 20s, though, he worked at a couple different ranches in different positions.
George Strait Worked On Different Ranches To Supplement His Income
The interview explained that George Strait really wanted to become a rancher like his dad. However, he also found a love for performing. For some years, he was doing both at the same time.
At 27, Strait began working as a ranch manager at the Hart Ranch in Martindale, Texas. "I was doing the ranching to supplement my income," he explained. "I really liked it, but it sure was hard."
He would work as a ranch manager there after facing rejection in Nashville from the powers that be. At that same time, 1979, he also earned his agriculture degree.
I'm sure it's not completely surprising that George Strait worked on the ranch while he tried to make it in the musical world, I mean just look at him.
Later, he would go on to work as a ranch foreman in San Marcos. He was employed here the same time his single "Unwound" got radio traction when he was (almost) 29.
"Unwound" was the first song of his to hit the charts. "Here I was driving around the ranch, and I'd hear it on the radio as it went up the chart," he recalled. "I was shocked!"
Although he still ranches now with his son, he would never be employed at another ranch again.
