Parker McCollum has some big Texas boots to fill when it comes to becoming a legend from the Lone Star State. After all, for lots of country fans, Texas has always and will always belong to the King, George Strait.
In a recent interview with CMT, McCollum was asked what he has learned most from being in the presence of Strait in the past, and his response was truly eye-opening.
“What influenced me as a kid and still does to this day more than George’s music, is the way he carries himself behind the scenes, off the stage, as a family man and a husband.”
McCollum, a young married man with an infant child, kind of reminds us of a young Strait as well. McCollum is always a perfect gentleman behind the scenes.
McCollum has been a guest on Taste of Country Nights multiple times, and every single time, he takes off his hat when greeting a woman in his presence and always has the utmost respect for both women and men, at all times.
The “Pretty Heart” singer’s musical career is starting out on the right track as well, with multiple number ones already under his belt, he is well on his way to making a large dent in country music.
When McCollum was a guest on Taste of Country Nights, he revealed that he refers to Strait, in person, as Mr. Strait, and he still clams up and gets nervous when he is around the King.
But, to be fair, we all probably would get nervous if in Strait’s presence too.
40 Photos of George Strait Young
George Strait is the undisputed King of Country. With a career spanning over 40 years, he has charted more than 60 No. 1 country songs and has more No. 1 hits than any other artist in a single genre.
Gallery Credit: Evan Paul
George Strait & Willie Nelson, 2004L. Cohen/WireImage for Bragman Nyman Cafarelli, Getty Images
George Strait & Willie Nelson, 2004
George Strait and Willie Nelson during the 39th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
George Strait, 2004Ron Wolfson/WireImage for Bragman Nyman Cafarelli, Getty Images
George Strait, 2004
George Strait attends rehearsals for the 39th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas.
George Strait & Alan Jackson, 2003M. Caulfield/WireImage), Getty Images
George Strait & Alan Jackson, 2003
Alan Jackson presents George Strait with the Gene Weed Special Achievement Award at the 38th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
George Strait & Kid Rock, 2003John Simpson/Getty Images
George Strait & Kid Rock, 2003
George attends the 129th Kentucky Derby — and how can you miss Kid Rock next to him in lime?
George Strait, May 21, 2002Vince Bucci/Getty Images
George Strait, May 21, 2002
George Strait rehearses for the 37th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, 2002 at Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles.
George Strait & P. Diddy, c. 2002John Simpson/Getty Images
George Strait & P. Diddy, c. 2002
George Strait, Oct. 2001Paul Natkin/Getty Images
George Strait, Oct. 2001
George Strait performs at the Country Freedom concert in Nashville, Tennessee, October 21, 2001.
George Strait & Norma Strait, 2000Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
George Strait & Norma Strait, 2000
George Strait and wife Norma Strait attend the 2000 ACM Awards.
George Strait, 1999Scott Harrison/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
George Strait, 1999
George Strait during the George Strait Country Music Festival at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas.
George Strait & LeAnn Rimes, 1998Ron Wolfson, Getty Images
George Strait & LeAnn Rimes, 1998
LeAnn Rimes and George Strait at the 25th annual American Music Awards.
George Strait c. 1998Pam Francis/Liaison
George Strait c. 1998
George Strait, 1998Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images
George Strait, 1998
At the George Strait Music Festival, 1998.
George Strait, 1997 ACM AwardsRon Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
George Strait, 1997 ACM Awards
George Strait, 1996DOUG COLLIER/AFP via Getty Images
George Strait, 1996
George Strait holds the three awards he won during the CMA Awards at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
George Strait, 1994Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images
George Strait, 1994
George Strait performs at the San Jose Arena on April 24, 1994 in San Jose California.
George Strait & Dean Dillon, Oct. 1992Beth Gwinn/Getty Images
George Strait & Dean Dillon, Oct. 1992
George Strait with star songwriter Dean Dillon at a party for George Strait’s Pure Country movie premiere, October 20, 1992 in Nashville.
George Strait & Garth Brooks, 1991Beth Gwinn/Getty Images
George Strait & Garth Brooks, 1991
Garth Brooks and George Strait backstage at the Grand Ole Opry, March 7,1991 in Nashville.
George Strait, 1991NBC, Getty Images
George Strait, 1991
George Strait performs as musical guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, April 23, 1991.
George Strait at the 1991 AMAsABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
George Strait at the 1991 AMAs
George Strait, April 1991NBC, Getty Images
George Strait, April 1991
George Strait does an interview with guest host Jay Leno on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
George Strait, 1990David Redfern/Getty Images
George Strait, 1990
George Strait performs on stage at the Dominion Theatre in London, England in May 1990.
George Strait and Clint Black, 1990Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
George Strait and Clint Black, 1990
Clint Black and George Strait during 25th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards at Pantages Theater in Hollywood.
George Strait and Norma Strait, 1989Ron Galella, Getty Images
George Strait and Norma Strait, 1989
George Strait and his wife, Norma Strait, attend the 24th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards at Disney Studio in Los Angeles, California.
George Strait, Jan. 1988Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
George Strait, Jan. 1988
George Strait during the 15th annual American Music Awards, January 25, 1988 at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
George Strait, c. 1988Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch via Getty Images
George Strait, c. 1988
George Strait, 1987Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
George Strait, 1987
George Strait at the 22nd annual Academy of Country Music Awards at Knotts Berry Farm in Buena Park, California.
George Strait c. 1986CBS via Getty Images
George Strait c. 1986
George Strait, 1986Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
George Strait, 1986
Strait shows off a winning trophy at the 1986 ACM Awards.
George Strait, 1985Paul Natkin, Getty Images
George Strait, 1985
George Strait sits behind a microphone during a press conference, Fresno, California, April 19, 1985.
George Strait, 1985Darleen Hammond, Getty Images
George Strait, 1985
Family portrait of American country singer George Strait with wife Norma and son George Jr.
George Strait c. 1984Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
George Strait c. 1984
George Strait c. 1984Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
George Strait c. 1984
George Strait poses for a portrait holding a Guild acoustic guitar and wearing a cowboy hat.
George Strait, 1983Jasper Dailey/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
George Strait, 1983
George Strait relaxes on his tour bus before performing at the Palomino Club on October 25, 1983 in Hollywood.
George Strait, Aug. 1983Paul Natkin/WireImage, Getty Images
George Strait, Aug. 1983
George Strait in Concert, August 20, 1983 at Soldier Field in Chicago.
George Strait c. 1983Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
George Strait c. 1983
George Strait c. 1981Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
George Strait c. 1981
Strait performing one of his early career shows at the Palomino Club in Hollywood.
George Strait, Dec. 1980Kirk West/Getty Images
George Strait, Dec. 1980
George Strait backstage doing a publicity shoot, December 7, 1980.
George Strait c. 1970George Strait c. 1970
George Strait c. 1960George Strait c. 1960
George Strait c. 1954Getty Images
George Strait c. 1954
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