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George Strait Stole 'Texas' Song, Suit Alleges

"He done me wrong, he stole my song" could be the lyrics of a country tune by a Texas man suing country music superstar George Strait over the hit single "Texas."

The suit alleges that Strait and two songwriters intentionally used the song without permission.

In his complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, Stan Lawhon says he wrote and recorded the song "If It Weren't for Texas" in January 2005.

Lawhon says he sent his song to various people in the country music industry, including defendants Steven Dale Jones, Phillip Brian White and others associated with Strait, hoping that a recognized musician or producer would buy it.

According to the suit, Strait and his production company, George Strait Productions Inc., released an album called "Somewhere Down in Texas" in June 2005, which has sold more than 1 million copies.

Strait released "Texas" as a hit single, which identified Jones and White as the songwriters, according to the suit.

Lawhon says that after the single was released, nearly 50 acquaintances told him they had heard his song on the radio, believing that "Texas" actually was "If It Weren't for Texas."

The two songs' music, lyrics and style are virtually identical, he says.

The songs are too similar for Jones and White to have independently created "Texas," Lawhon says.

The suit alleges copyright infringement and unjust enrichment, among other things.

Lawhon is seeking compensatory and punitive damages and attorney fees.

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He is represented by Curtis L. Marsh in Dallas.