NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In honor of First Responders Day, today, Oct. 28, country music superstar George Strait releases a powerful new music video for “The Weight of the Badge” as a tribute to first responders. The video focuses on stories and moments with some of our nation’s first responders and their families, giving some insight on what it means to live every day bearing the weight of the badge.

“The men and women in this music video are our friends and neighbors who carry the weight of the badge each day,” says Strait in the video. “Thank you. We appreciate you and the sacrifices you and your families make.”

The video made a special premiere last night at the First Responders Children’s Foundation 20th anniversary gala in New York City with many of the first responders featured in the video in attendance.

Watch “The Weight of the Badge” HERE

“The Weight of the Badge”
Written by George Strait, Bubba Strait and Dean Dillon

It’s gonna be a long one, another graveyard shift
As he says goodbye to his wife and kids
It’s been his life, just like his dad’s
Driving away under the weight of the badge

He’s seen it all in his fifteen years
Watching our backs, facing our fears
Lord knows it ain’t no easy task
Keeping us safe under the weight of the badge

He swore that oath to protect and serve
Pours his heart and soul into both those words
Lays his life on the line
And the line he walks is razor fine
Tempered strength is always tough
But he ain’t gonna buckle under the weight of the badge

Not that long ago, he woke up in the hospital
With his wife and kids, praying by his bed
He said, I’m gonna be alright, there’s just sometimes you gotta fight
And the truth is nothing truer could be said
I do it for us and I do it for them
And I ain’t gonna buckle under the weight of the badge

It doesn’t weigh a lot
Until you put it on
Then the weight of it is staggering
When duty calls each time
He knows, he’s gotta answer
And it’s all in the handling of the weight
Oh, the heavy weight of the badge
And he ain’t gonna buckle under the weight of the badge

No, he ain’t gonna buckle under the weight of the badge

Also launching today is TheWeightOfTheBadge.com, a site inviting people to share their stories and gratitude for the first responders in their lives.

With an unmatched 60 singles hitting the top of the charts—more than any other artist in any genre—during the span of his 30+ year career, Strait has collected 33 Platinum or multi-Platinum-selling albums, more than any other Country artist and ranking third across all genres behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley. The Texas troubadour is the only artist or act in history to have a Top 10 hit every year for over three decades and recently earned his 100th entry on the Billboard Country Airplay chart with his latest single, “The Weight of the Badge.” He has sold nearly 70 million albums and earned more than 60 major entertainment industry awards, including induction in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006.

About First Responders Children's Foundation
First Responders Children’s Foundation provides financial support to both children who have lost a parent in the line of duty as well as families enduring significant financial hardships due to tragic circumstances. The Foundation also supports educational activities and programs and operated by first responder agencies whose purpose is to benefit children or the community at large.