With his stetson tilted over his sparkling eyes at a rakish angle, George Strait positively exudes the kind of charisma associated with the consummate performers of old. Shying away from gimmicks and trends, Strait rose to prominence in the 1980s thanks to his knack for fusing honky tonk and western swing with his undeniable charm, revitalising the 'straight ahead country' genre in the process.