On Saturday, June 27th 2026, we saw two legends of country music, George Strait and Alan Jackson, join forces for what could be the last time at Nashville's Nissan Stadium. Strait emerged as a special guest during the colossal show, which was billed as Jackson's final live concert, for two spellbinding duets.

It felt like the bittersweet conclusion to almost three decades of collaborations, homages and joint performances, with Strait and Jackson cementing themselves as the leading flag-bearers of the traditional-leaning country sound. The duo's signature cover of Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time's ‘Murder On Music Row’ has become a touchstone for all fans that yearn for a simpler time in the genre.

Strait and Jackson performed that classic song, which inventively frames the commercialisation and pop-ification of country music as a murder, a number of times over the years, as well as teaming up for ‘Designated Drinker’, ‘Amarillo By Morning’ and more.

As we contend with the inevitable nostalgia that has been blossoming in light of Jackson's retirement from live shows, we're looking back at five iconic duets from this trailblazing duo.

5. 2004 Live at Texas Stadium - ‘Murder On Music Row’ & ‘Designated Drinker’

If you were one of the fans present at this blockbuster co-headlining show starring George Strait, Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett, just know that we're incredibly jealous of you.

In 2004, three of the biggest names in country music collided for this one-off occasion, with Strait and Jackson teaming up for their much-loved collaboration, ‘Designated Drinker’, and their thinly veiled critique of Nashville, ‘Murder On Music Row’.

The resulting live album remains ones of our favourite projects of its kind, and we still haven't really seen a monumental co-headlining event like this in the two decades since. These performances are underpinned by a sense of warmth, friendship and camaraderie, with neither Strait, Jackson nor Buffett attempting to outdo one another, rather, they are simply there to ensure the crowd have a good time. This geniality would become a hallmark of all Strait and Jackson's duets.

4. 2026 Nissan Stadium - ‘Designated Drinker’ and ‘Murder On Music Row’

Jackson's grand finale was always going to be emotional, with the ‘Livin’ On Love’ hitmaker taking the Nissan Stadium stage for a series of duets and tear-jerking performances.

This set featured a dizzying array of modern country greats, but he undoubtedly saved the best for last, with Strait joining Jackson for their classic one-two of ‘Murder On Music Row’ and ‘Designated Drinker’. What made this all the more heartwarming was the fact that Strait brought out a drink for his buddy, much like Jackson did around ten years prior at Strait's farewell show in Arlington, Texas.

3. 2014 AT&T Stadium - ‘Amarillo By Morning’ & ‘Murder On Music Row’

This is honestly neck-and-neck with Jackson's 2026 Nissan Stadium show for the most captivating farewell show of all time, with Strait performing all his biggest hits on a revolving stage as the next wave of country stars came up to sing with him.

The reason this slightly pips Jackson's 2026 Last Call performances is because in 2014, as well as delivering ‘Designated Drinker’, Jackson served up a rare rendition of Strait's classic, ‘Amarillo By Morning’. In doing so, he highlighted once again why he was tipped at the start of his career as the successor to Strait's throne.

But as all these performances show, to these two greats, it was never about competition, rather, it was about preserving a part of the genre they believed was in danger of extinction. If this list proves anything, it's that they succeeded in their mission. Keep your eye out for Jackson's cheeky remark that this song “is still appropriate today”.

2. 2013 CMA Awards - ‘He Stopped Loving Her Today’

A haunting tribute to George Jones’ timeless ballad, ‘He Stopped Loving Her Today’, Strait and Jackson lace so much emotion into every lyric that you can't help but well up when watching this. They capture the pining, tragic spirit of Jones’ original, and in many ways, this visceral performance showcased exactly the kind of country music Strait and Jackson long to be made again on ‘Murder On Music Row’.

1. 1999 CMA Awards - ‘Murder On Music Row’

Their live debut of ‘Murder On Music Row’, Strait and Jackson performed this with a twinkle in their eyes as they subtly rebuked the money-hungry commodification of the genre they love on the 1999 CMA Awards stage. What made this performance all the more powerful was the fact that - although they never name names - many of the industry executives and artists pushing a more pop-leaning sound and commercial, radio-friendly aesthetic were sat in the audience.

This duet showcases Strait and Jackson's endearing camaraderie, with the latter casually striding out onto the stage to take the helm for the second verse. It feels effortless and almost blasé, but their vocals are brilliant, with the sincerity of their delivery betraying how they both wholeheartedly agree with the message of this song. It's no surprise this duet has become immortalised over the years.