In the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, a handful of artists helped to bring about a wave of new traditional-sounding country music. Songs from Alan Jackson, George Strait, Randy Travis, and a handful of others stood out in a sea of pop-leaning music. These artists helped to shape ‘90s country and continue to influence up-and-coming artists decades later. As a result, they’re still revered as legends by fans the world over.

Alan Jackson and George Strait's "Murder on Music Row" Honors True Country

Videos

Many fans count themselves lucky to see one of these legendary acts on the stage. On June 7, 2014, more than 100,000 fans packed the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas to see Strait on his The Cowboy Rides Away Tour. During the record-setting concert, King George treated fans to a pair of duets with Jackson. Watch the living legends perform “Amarillo by Morning” and “Murder on Music Row” below.

Today, many fans see Jackson and Strait as near equals in the country music world. However, between songs, Jackson said otherwise. “George, I’ve just got to say, this is the coolest country music concert there’s ever been, right here,” he said before handing Strait a drink and toasting the King’s long career. “I just want to say, in the early ‘80s, when I was a young man in Georgia, I’ve been a fan since Unwound, man. You’re one of the reasons I came to Nashville, Tennessee. God bless you,” he told his duet partner before they introduced “Murder on Music Row.”

George Strait and Alan Jackson Comment on the State of Country Music

“Murder on Music Row” is a comment on the state of the country music industry. Written by Larry Cordle and Larry Shell in 1999, as the genre was shifting away from the sound that typified the decade and back into pop-leaning production, the song laments the lack of traditional elements in the music. As the final lines of the opening verse state, Someone killed country music, cut out its heart and soul. / They got away with murder down on Music Row.

Originally recorded by Cordle’s bluegrass band, Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time, George Strait and Alan Jackson cut the song and Strait included it on Latest, Greatest, Straitest Hits in 2000. Neither Jackson nor Strait released the song as a single. However, it received enough airplay to make it a top 40 country hit. It peaked at No. 38 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

Before they played the song at the AT&T Stadium, Jackson said “It’s still appropriate today,” after Strait asked him to tell the crowd about the song.