BITTER SWEET, Ky. — For those of you who like music award shows, the recent Academy of Country Music (ACM) awards gala was a doozy.

It was by far the biggest show of its kind ever, and it took the home of the Dallas Cowboys – AT&T Stadium – to hold it all.

Now I will say this, it may have been a little too big. Even the stars seemed somewhat rattled by it all, with a few exceptions, one of those being a performance by the great George Strait.

I say all that to say this; George Strait is such a dynamic performer, he can command a whole Texas stadium full of screaming fans and do it by simply stepping up to a microphone.

I mean this guy doesn’t need a flaming stage or pyrotechnics to get your attention. All he has to do is walk on stage in his sport coat and cowboy hat, and in his traditional way, he brings the house down every time.

It was so good to see him once again on stage and what’s even better is he has new music. Strait sang the latest in what is sure to be atop the country music charts in no time.

His Let it Go released officially on April 20, but fans got to hear it live during the ACM Awards where Strait received an ACM 50th Anniversary Milestone Award.

The song is the first release from a new upcoming album and is the first new music since his Cowboy Rides Away Tour, his retirement from the road tour, which ended last year. If the rumor mill is correct, this newest album coming from Strait is part of a new five-record deal.

So, even though Strait may have retired from the concert circuit, he is far from finished making the great music we have all loved since that first album released way back in 1981.

For all these years, George Strait has been the biggest of the country stars and he has done it in a modest, traditional way; simply letting his music do all the talking.

I have to give the ACM Awards show a B; but when it comes to Strait, he gets a big A+ for being the superstar he is – despite not acting like it. I think there is a lesson to be learned for all us from the way he presents himself and his music.

Bluegrass Johnson comes from a long line of country music performers and enjoys a passion for the rhythm and melody. From the hills of Kentucky, he will offer his opinions on a variety of new country music each week. Readers with questions or comments may write to Johnson in care of this publication.