George Strait and Chris Stapleton Revive the Twang in ‘Honky Tonk Hall of Fame’ Duet

George Strait and Chris Stapleton have been playing stadiums together for the past few summers. They finally come together in the studio on “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame,” a boisterous trad-country duet on Strait’s new album Cowboys and Dreamers, out now.

The pairing is a match made in honky-tonk heaven, with Strait’s smooth country voice complementing Stapleton’s gruff rasp. A true duet, the men alternate lyrics in the verses and sing together in the chorus: “I’ll say it once again/I’m the best that’s ever been at drinkin’ doubles up on this stool,” they boast. In the chorus payoff line, they predict that their names will be enshrined behind all those glistening bottles — “everybody’s gonna know my name, when they hang my star behind the bar/at the honky tonk hall of fame.”

Both Strait and Stapleton know their way around a liquor cabinet. Each has their own signature spirit: Strait is the face of the tequila brand Código, while Stapleton launched his Traveller whiskey in January.

“Honky Tonky Hall of Fame” was written by Stapleton with Jameson Clark and Timothy. James. Strait and his song Bubba Strait contributed to Cowboys and Dreamers too, in songs like “The Little Things” and “The Book.” The album also contains a few credits from Keith Gattis, the revered Texas songwriter who died in 2023. Here, Strait offers his version of “Wish I Could Say,” which Gattis wrote for King George.

Strait and Stapleton’s next concert together is Dec. 7 in Las Vegas, where they’ll team up at Allegiant Stadium during National Finals Rodeo week.