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Who Really Sang Amarillo by Morning First? The Untold Story of a Country Classic

While George Strait’s version of Amarillo by Morning is undoubtedly one of his signature hits, it wasn’t his rendition that first brought the iconic song to life. The journey of this timeless track began nearly a decade earlier, with a different cowboy legend, Terry Stafford, giving it its first recorded voice.

COUNTRY MUSIC LEGENDS

Terry Stafford: The Original Voice of Amarillo by Morning
Terry Stafford, best known for his 1964 hit Suspicion, wasn’t initially a country artist. He started his career in rock and pop before transitioning into country music. Stafford found inspiration for Amarillo by Morning during a late-night drive home to Amarillo, after a rodeo performance in San Antonio. He and songwriter Paul Fraser co-wrote the song, drawing influence from a television commercial that mentioned deliveries arriving “by morning.” Stafford recorded the track in 1973, giving it a polished, pop-country feel with a xylophone and background singers. While the song only peaked at No. 31 on the Billboard Country chart, it struck a chord with rodeo cowboys and country fans, laying the groundwork for its future success.

Chris LeDoux: The Cowboy Who Gave It Grit
In 1975, rodeo champion Chris LeDoux recorded Amarillo by Morning, adding a rugged, authentic touch to the song. LeDoux, who lived the cowboy life described in the lyrics, infused the track with his personal experience, capturing the grit and solitude of life on the road. His version didn’t chart as high, but it was a pivotal moment in keeping the song alive in rodeo and country music circles. LeDoux, known for selling records out of his truck, became a cult favorite, and his rendition of Amarillo by Morning remains a beloved, raw take on the classic.

George Strait: The Definitive Rendition
By 1982, when George Strait recorded Amarillo by Morning for his album Strait from the Heart, the song had already been around for nearly a decade. Strait’s version, released as a single in 1983, was stripped down and fiddle-driven, a perfect match for his Western swing style and easygoing cowboy persona. Although it never reached No. 1 on the U.S. charts, it became one of Strait’s most cherished songs, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard Country chart and hitting No. 1 in Canada. In 2024, Rolling Stone ranked it as No. 10 on its list of the 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time, solidifying its place in the genre’s history. Over the years, Strait’s version has become a staple in his live shows, especially at RodeoHouston, where he reigns as the unofficial king.

The Lasting Legacy of Amarillo by Morning
From Stafford’s first recording to LeDoux’s hard-edged rendition, and finally Strait’s definitive version, Amarillo by Morning has evolved into one of country music’s most enduring anthems. Though Stafford was the first to sing it and LeDoux helped keep its flame alive, it was George Strait who immortalized the song. Today, whether performed by a rising star or by Strait himself, Amarillo by Morning continues to be a living testament to the cowboy spirit and the beauty of country storytelling.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMOBxbIHFFk

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