“Arkansas Dave” is a song written by Bubba Strait, the son of the famous country singer George Strait. Bubba has helped write many songs for his dad over the years. This one tells the story of Dave Rudabaugh, a real-life bad guy from the Old West in America. Dave was known for robbing trains, stealing cows, and even breaking out of jail in a big, exciting way. The song makes him sound like a brave cowboy with a gun, but it also shows that his wild life ended sadly.
The song has a fast beat that keeps you tapping your foot, and George Strait sings it with his smooth voice, making it feel like you’re watching a cowboy movie. Bubba did an awesome job writing it, showing he’s just as good at telling stories through music as his dad is.
One of the best times George sang “Arkansas Dave” was at his big goodbye concert called “The Cowboy Rides Away.” It happened on June 7, 2014, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with more than 100,000 people watching. What made it extra special was that Bubba came on stage to sing with his dad. Seeing them together warmed everyone’s hearts because it showed how close they are, not just as family but as music partners too. Bubba isn’t just a songwriter—he’s also great at rodeo, where cowboys show off their skills.
That night, “Arkansas Dave” proved how much George Strait loves the old-style country music that tells real stories. Even when some country songs today sound more like pop music, George keeps singing about history and interesting people, keeping the cowboy spirit alive in a way that feels true and fun.
