Tribute concerts can almost be too flattering sometimes. The Academy of Country Music honored George Strait as the artist of the decade Monday in Las Vegas. Strait told the audience that it seemed “almost like this was a farewell deal.” But he said he “ain’t ready to go yet.”

Tons of artists took the stage to sing his songs, including Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Brooks & Dunn, Taylor Swift, Sugarland, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert and John Rich. And most had a story to tell about George. Jamey Johnson had Strait autograph his guitar after performing “Give It Away” — a song Johnson wrote and Strait made into a hit. The TV special airs on CBS May 27.