George Strait and Miranda Lambert Lead 2026 Induction Into the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame
Texas just shook the country world with an announcement that feels bigger than any award show or chart milestone. In February 2026, the Texas Heritage Songwriters’ Association will induct George Strait, Miranda Lambert, Don Cook, and the late Keith Gattis into the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame—and the lineup reads like a holy scripture of country greatness.
The King Finally Gets His Crown as a Writer
For decades, George Strait has been known as the King of Country—60 No. 1 singles, 27 No. 1 albums, and over 113 million records sold. But critics have always pointed to one thing: he didn’t write most of his hits. And maybe he didn’t need to. Strait’s gift was his ability to take a song from masters like Dean Dillon and make it eternal.
But in the 2000s, Strait quietly proved he could also hold a pen. Songs like “Living for the Night” and “I Believe”—co-written with his son Bubba and Dillon—showed a more personal side. Strait himself admitted, “I got lazy about songwriting. It’s not easy for me.” That humility makes this induction even more powerful. He’s not just a King because of his voice—he’s a King because he worked, he learned, and he delivered.
Miranda Lambert: Texas Grit, Nashville Fire
If Strait is the steady hand, Lambert is the fire. For twenty years, Miranda has written her truth into country’s DNA. From the raw ache of “Tin Man” to the fiery bite of “Vice” and the haunting “Over You,” she’s proven herself one of the sharpest pens of her generation.
Lambert called the induction “a huge honor, especially alongside my hero George Strait.” She credited her father as her first co-writer, the man who taught her guitar. But anyone who has heard her catalog knows Miranda doesn’t just write songs—she writes confessions, scars, and survival stories.
Don Cook and Keith Gattis: The Backbone of Country Hits
Don Cook may not be a household name, but his songs built the soundtrack of the ’90s. From Brooks & Dunn’s “Brand New Man” to Alabama’s anthems, his pen carried country into arenas and onto radio waves for decades. Without him, the ’90s boom doesn’t sound the same.
Keith Gattis, gone too soon in 2023, will be inducted posthumously. Gattis was the songwriter’s songwriter—the man behind Strait’s “I Got a Car,” Randy Houser’s “What Whiskey Does,” and tracks recorded by Willie Nelson, Kenny Chesney, and yes, Miranda Lambert. His songs carried the dust, heartbreak, and authenticity of Texas itself. His honor will be bittersweet, but fitting.
The Ceremony and the Legacy
The induction takes place February 21, 2026, at ACL Live in Austin, during the 20th annual Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards. It’s more than just a night of music. It’s a reminder that while Nashville might run the business, Texas runs the bloodline of country songwriting.
And that’s the bigger picture. This isn’t about record sales or flash-in-the-pan fame. It’s about storytellers. Strait may not have written “Amarillo by Morning,” but when he sang it, he owned it. Lambert may have co-written “Tin Man,” but when she performed it, she bled every line.
In 2026, Texas will raise its glass to four artists who made sure the truth always cut through. Legends who sing it, write it, and live it.
Because in Texas, the music isn’t just played—it’s lived.
