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George Strait and Marcia Ball Named Texas State Musicians

2017 and 2018 Recipients Honored By State Legislature

The Texas Commission on the Arts has named George Strait and Austin-based pianist Marcia Ball the Texas State Musicians for 2017 and 2018, respectively.

The two, along with the state poet laureates and visual artists, will be honored by the state legislature on Thursday (May 18) at the Capitol in Austin. According to the TCA, the Texas State Artists are selected every two years for their contributions to the state and the advancement of their respective art forms.

Previous Texas State Musicians include Ray Benson, Billy Joe Shaver, Willie Nelson, Dale Watson, Lyle Lovett and ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons.

The nominations for the Texas State Artists are made by citizens of the Lone Star state and overseen by the TCA. A committee appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the House of Representatives then selects the honorees from 10 finalists.

Strait will return to Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena for his 2 Nights of Number 1's production starting July 28 and 29. Two-night engagements are also booked for September and December.

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