studios in Nashville with Mevis and a group of session musicians recording the remaining songs for his first album. This early decision to use session musicians on his recordings rather than his touring band set a pattern that he would continue to follow throughout his career. One of the songs from the February session, "Blame It on Mexico", was rerecorded during the June sessions and included on the album. Release and promotion Strait Country was released on September 4, 1981 by MCA Records. To promote the album, Strait and the Ace in the Hole Band performed a series of shows and performed the new material. While eager to help publicize the album, Strait had a few ground rules that would remain in place throughout his career. First, he insisted that his private life remain private, and that his wife and family not be involved in press interviews and publicity events. Strait also insisted on remaining in Texas and not moving to the country music capital. In an early interview with Nashville's Music City News, Strait confessed, "If I find out later on that I have to move, well, I'll certainly move. But I would hate to leave Texas." And finally, he insisted on remaining true to his identity, and refused to take off the hat, despite considerable pressure to do so. As unfashionable as it might have appeared in Nashville at the time, it was a part of his identity—of just being himself. Artwork and packaging Strait Country was released in vinyl format. The front cover photo was taken by Tom Wilkes showing Strait wearing a cream-colored straw cowboy hat, a Western shirt open at the neck, revealing a simple gold chain. Standing against a weathered fencepost, he's shown looking up with a "plaintive look in his eye". At a time when most country performers were wearing rhinestone outfits, leisure suits, and very few sporting cowboy hats, Strait comes across as "real country, plain and simple". The back cover photo of the vinyl album shows the singer inside Gruene Hall, a Texas dance hall where he played during his early years. The photo was not included on the CD version. The back cover also contains track listing with songwriter credits, as well as music and production credits. Critical reception Strait Country received positive reviews upon its release in 1981. On the AllMusic website, it received four out of five stars.