George Jones

George Jones

George Glenn Jones was born on September 12, 1931, in Saratoga, Texas. Raised in Colmesneil, Texas, he had a brother and five sisters. His parents, George Washington Jones and Clara Patterson, played musical instruments. George first heard country music at seven when his parents bought a radio. Despite a broken arm at birth, he developed a passion for country music, often listening to the Grand Ole Opry with his parents.


In his autobiography, "I Lived To Tell It All," George Jones revealed the impact of his sister Ethel's early death on his father's drinking, leading to abuse within the family. Despite his father's abusive behavior, George developed a passion for singing. Country music historian Robert K. Oermann noted, "You would think that it would make him not a singer, because it was so abusively thrust on him. But the opposite happened; he became ... someone who had to sing." Jones remained conflicted about his father, acknowledging the abuse yet recognizing his hardworking nature. His father bought him his first guitar at nine, and George honed his musical skills at church and by busking in Beaumont.


At 16, George Jones left home for Jasper, Texas, singing and playing on KTXJ radio with Dalton Henderson. He later moved to KRIC, where he met his idol, Hank Williams. In a documentary, Jones expressed his admiration for Williams, calling him "really, the greatest." He married Dorothy Bonvillion in 1950, but they divorced in 1951. Jones served in the United States Marines until his discharge in 1953, stationed in San Jose, California.


Jones married Shirley Ann Corley in 1954. His first record, "No Money in This Deal," recorded on January 19 and released in February on Starday Records, marked the beginning of his association with producer H.W. "Pappy" Daily. The song was cut in the living room of Starday Records' co-founder Jack Starnes. Around this time, Jones worked at KTRM (now KZZB) in Beaumont. Deejay Gordon Baxter told Nick Tosches that Jones acquired the nickname "possum" there. During early recording sessions, Daily admonished Jones for sounding too much like his heroes Hank Williams and Lefty Frizzell. In 1996, Jones recalled to NPR the poor production quality at Starday, recording in a small living room with egg crates on the wall near Beaumont. His first hit, "Why Baby Why," came in 1955. While touring with the Louisiana Hayride that year, he met and played shows with Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. In 1994, Jones mentioned to Nick Tosches that Presley stayed with his friends in his dressing room. Jones remained a lifelong friend of Johnny Cash and sang at the Grand Ole Opry in 1956.


With Presley's surge in popularity in 1956, Jones faced pressure to record rockabilly songs. Reluctantly agreeing, he quickly regretted the decision, joking in his autobiography that he used those records as Frisbees. Describing his desperation, he told Billboard in 2006, "When you're hungry, a poor man with a house full of kids, you're gonna do some things you ordinarily wouldn't do." He tried songs like 'Dadgum It How Come It' and 'Rock It' under the name Thumper Jones to distance himself from rock and roll. Jones unsuccessfully attempted to buy all the masters to prevent the cuts from resurfacing later, which, unfortunately, they did.


Jones moved to Mercury in 1957, partnering with singer Jeannette Hicks for a top-10 single, "Yearning." Starday Records merged with Mercury that year, and Jones gained chart success with his debut Mercury release, "Don't Stop the Music." Despite attention and respectable chart positions, he continued traveling rural roads in a 1940s Packard, playing honky-tonks on the "blood bucket" circuit.


In 1959, Jones achieved his first number one on the Billboard country chart with "White Lightnin'," showcasing a more authentic rock and roll sound compared to his earlier rockabilly attempts.


Jones also found success as a songwriter during this period, penning many of his biggest hits. Some of these, including "Window Up Above" (later covered by Mickey Gilley in 1975) and "Seasons of My Heart" (recorded by Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Jerry Lee Lewis), became country standards. His solo compositions include "Just One More" (also recorded by Cash), "Life To Go" (a top-five hit for Stonewall Jackson in 1959), "You Gotta Be My Baby," and "Don't Stop The Music." Additionally, he played a role in writing "Color of the Blues" (covered by Loretta Lynn and Elvis Costello), "Tender Years," and "Tall, Tall Trees" (co-written with Roger Miller). Jones's frequent songwriting collaborator was his childhood friend Darrell Edwards.


Jones signed with United Artists in 1962, achieving one of his career's biggest hits, "She Thinks I Still Care." His voice deepened during this period as he cultivated his distinctive singing style. With UA, he recorded albums featuring songs by Hank Williams and Bob Wills. He also collaborated with Melba Montgomery on a duet album, including the hit "We Must Have Been Out of Our Minds." Jones, known for his distinctive voice, was gaining a reputation as a hell-raiser.


During his tours, Jones was backed by the Jones Boys, a group of talented musicians. Similar to other country acts like Buck Owens's Buckaroos and Merle Haggard's Strangers, the Jones Boys included musicians like Dan Schafer, Hank Singer, Brittany Allyn, Sonny Curtis, Kent Goodson, Bobby Birkhead, and Steve Hinson. In the 1980s and 1990s, Ron Gaddis, the bass player, served as the bandleader for the Jones Boys, also harmonizing with Jones in concerts. Lorrie Morgan, who later married Gaddis, toured as a backup singer for Jones in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Johnny Paycheck was the Jones Boys' bass player in the 1960s before achieving stardom in the 1970s.


In 1964, Pappy Daily secured a new contract with Musicor records. Throughout the rest of the 1960s, Jones achieved only one number one hit with "Walk Through This World With Me" in 1967. However, he consistently featured in the country music charts with significant hits like "Love Bug," "Things Have Gone to Pieces," "The Race Is On," "My Favorite Lies," "I'll Share My World with You," "Take Me" (co-written and later recorded with Tammy Wynette), "A Good Year for the Roses," and "If My Heart Had Windows."


Jones's singing style evolved from the full-throated, high lonesome sound of Hank Williams and Roy Acuff on his early Starday records to the more refined, subtle style influenced by Lefty Frizzell. In a 2006 interview with Billboard, Jones acknowledged Lefty Frizzell's impact on his idiosyncratic phrasing.


However, during this period, Jones's excessive drinking and use of amphetamines took a toll on him, leading to a stay in a neurological hospital in 1967 for treatment of his drinking. Jones's struggles with alcohol became infamous, and he would go to extreme lengths for a drink. A notable incident occurred when, in an attempt to prevent him from buying liquor, his second wife Shirley Corley hid the keys to their cars, but not to the lawn mower. Undeterred, Jones drove the lawn mower to the liquor store in Beaumont, eight miles away. He later comically mocked this incident in various music videos, including Hank Williams Jr.'s "All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight" and Vince Gill's "One More Last Chance." Tammy Wynette, whom Jones married in 1969, also referenced the lawn mower incident in her autobiography, Stand By Your Man, claiming it occurred during her marriage to Jones.


They began touring together, and Jones bought out his contract with Musicor to record with Wynette and her producer Billy Sherrill on Epic Records. In the early 1970s, Jones and Wynette scored several big hits, becoming known as "Mr. & Mrs. Country Music." Hits included "We're Gonna Hold On," "Let's Build A World Together," "Golden Ring," and "Near You." Billy Sherrill revealed they initially attempted to record vocals together, but Jones's phrasing drove Wynette crazy. They adopted a method where Jones's vocals were recorded first for Wynette to follow.


In 1970, after the birth of their child Tamala Georgette, Jones was committed to a neurological hospital in Florida due to a drunken incident. His drinking and erratic behavior strained the marriage, leading to their divorce in 1976. Jones acknowledged his responsibility for the marriage's failure but denied Wynette's allegations of abuse.


Despite the divorce, Jones and Wynette continued performing together and recorded the 1980 hit "Two Story House." In the 1990s, they reconciled and recorded a final album, "One," before Wynette's death in 1998.


Jones's collaboration with Billy Sherrill at Epic Records was surprising, given Sherrill's association with the countrypolitan sound, contrasting with Jones's honky-tonk roots. Sherrill's arrangements complemented Jones's voice, producing hits like "The Grand Tour" and "The Door." Despite personal struggles, Jones's enduring association with Sherrill marked a successful chapter in his career.


In the late 1970s, Jones faced severe challenges, including cocaine use, missed shows, financial troubles, and homelessness. Despite these hardships, he maintained a self-deprecating sense of humor. His performances, though inconsistent, still captivated audiences. Jones's struggles continued into the 1980s, marked by hospitalization, bankruptcy, and a challenging period of homelessness.


Jones's ability to deliver captivating live performances persisted, earning acclaim even during turbulent times. His appearance at Willie Nelson's Fourth of July Picnic in 1976 showcased his enduring star power, and despite challenges, he remained recognized as one of the greatest singers in country music.


By 1980, Jones had not had a number-one single in six years, and critics were beginning to dismiss him. However, he surprised the music industry with "He Stopped Loving Her Today," released in April, which topped the country charts for 18 weeks. Despite Jones personally disliking the song, it became one of the greatest country songs, earning him a Grammy Award and numerous accolades. The song's success revitalized his career, leading CBS Records to renew his contract.


Jones's life continued to be marked by struggles with alcohol and drugs. Despite this, his performances, often inebriated, garnered attention. High-speed car chases and confrontations with the police were reported in the news. His alter ego when drinking emerged in public incidents, contrasting with his friendly and down-to-earth demeanor when sober. Jones's unique singing style and compelling live performances endured, earning him acclaim.


In 1981, he met Nancy Sepulvado, whose positive influence on his life was significant. Nancy played a key role in cleaning up his finances, managing his career, and helping him overcome drug addiction. Jones credited her with saving his life. The couple married, and Jones credited Nancy for his decision to quit cocaine and make efforts to stop drinking.


Jones's struggles with alcohol continued, leading to a drunken rampage in 1983, resulting in his commitment to Hillcrest Psychiatric Hospital. Despite these challenges, Jones performed his first sober show in 1984, signaling a turning point in his life. He began making up missed concert dates, playing for free to repay promoters, and opening concerts with the self-deprecating song "No Show Jones." Jones expressed regret for the pain he caused his fans and loved ones.


Mostly sober in the late 1980s, Jones consistently released albums produced by Billy Sherrill. Despite his turbulent personal life, Jones continued to create music, and his video for the 1985 hit "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes" won the CMA award for Video of the Year.


In 1990, Jones released his last studio album on Epic, "You Oughta Be Here With Me," featuring stirring performances. Despite poor sales and the single "Hell Stays Open All Night Long," Jones switched to MCA, releasing "And Along Came Jones" in 1991. While the album sold well, singles like "You Couldn't Get The Picture" and "She Loved A Lot In Her Time" struggled on the charts as country radio underwent changes.


Jones continued to record and tour through the 1990s, being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1992. His autobiography, "I Lived To Tell It All," published in 1996, addressed his career, personal life, and disappointment with the evolving country music scene. Despite his absence from radio playlists, younger country stars paid tribute to Jones, recognizing his influence.


The Nashville Network premiered "The George Jones Show" in 1998, featuring informal chats and musical performances with country stars. Jones remained committed to traditional country but worked with contemporary producers and musicians. Significant performances from this era include "Choices," the Grammy-winning single from the 1999 album "Cold Hard Truth."


In 1999, Jones was involved in a car accident, leading to legal issues related to drunk-driving charges. This incident marked a turning point as Jones decided to quit smoking and drinking. In 2003, he released "The Gospel Collection" and appeared at the Johnny Cash Memorial Concert. Jones received the Kennedy Center Honor in 2008 and served as a judge for the Independent Music Awards.


Jones's final studio album, "Hits I Missed and One I Didn't," was released, featuring covers of hits he passed on and a remake of "He Stopped Loving Her Today." In 2012, he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement award.
Health issues plagued Jones in his later years. He was hospitalized for an upper respiratory infection in 2012, and later that year, he announced his farewell tour, the Grand Tour, with the final concert held in Knoxville on April 6, 2013.


George Jones was scheduled to perform his final concert at the Bridgestone Arena on November 22, 2013. However, on April 18, 2013, he was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) for a slight fever and irregular blood pressure, leading to the postponement of concerts in Alabama and Salem. After six days in intensive care at VUMC, George Jones passed away on April 26, 2013, at the age of 81.


The funeral, held on May 2, 2013, featured eulogies from notable figures including former First Lady Laura Bush, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, news personality Bob Schieffer, and country singers Barbara Mandrell and Kenny Chesney. Musical tributes were provided by Alan Jackson, Kid Rock, Ronnie Milsap, Randy Travis, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, Travis Tritt, the Oak Ridge Boys, Charlie Daniels, Wynonna, and Brad Paisley. The service was broadcast live on various networks and radio stations, including CMT, GAC, RFD-TV, The Nashville Network, FamilyNet, SiriusXM, and WSM 650 AM, the home of the Grand Ole Opry.


George Jones was laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in Nashville. His passing garnered widespread attention, with many country stations and stations of other formats modifying their playlists to honor him by playing his songs throughout the day. The family requested contributions to be made to the Grand Ole Opry Trust Fund or the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in lieu of flowers. George Jones's death marked the end of an era in country music, and his legacy continues to influence artists in the genre.


George Jones was not only a legendary country music singer but also a staunch defender of the genre's integrity. In a 2006 interview with Billboard, he emphasized that his passion for singing stemmed from love for the music itself, not merely for financial gain, stating, "I sing because I love it, not because of the dollar signs." Jones actively supported and promoted younger country singers whom he felt shared his passion for the music.


His influence on country music was widely recognized. After his death, Andrew Mueller wrote in Uncut that Jones was "one of the finest interpretive singers who ever lifted a microphone." Nick Tosches, in a 1994 article for The Texas Monthly, eloquently described Jones's vocal style, praising his exceptional range, natural elegance, and lucent tone. David Hajdu, writing for The New Republic, noted the strangeness and beauty of Jones's voice, highlighting his distinctive vocal production.


Jones's approach to singing was often likened to that of a method actor, with him drawing on personal memories and feelings to infuse authenticity into the characters portrayed in his songs. His singing was characterized by a unique style, emphasizing the appeal of tones and conveying a wide range of emotions. David Cantwell, in 2013, mentioned Jones's method of singing, where he aimed to evoke memories and emotions that closely matched those of the song's character.


Jones's impact on contemporary country music was profound, and he was held in high regard by fellow musicians. Merle Haggard, following Jones's death, likened his voice to a Stradivarius violin, describing it as "one of the greatest instruments ever made." Emmylou Harris praised Jones for turning a song into a work of art with his singing. Country music stars such as Randy Travis, Tom T. Hall, and Roy Acuff expressed admiration for his ability to convey authenticity and deliver messages through his singing.


In 2023, Rolling Stone recognized George Jones as the 24th greatest singer of all time on their list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time. Additionally, Jones was the focal point of the second season of the podcast Cocaine and Rhinestones, which argued that he is the greatest country music singer ever. His enduring influence and contributions continue to shape the landscape of country music.


George Jones's unwavering commitment to traditional country music set him apart from many of his contemporaries. While he didn't achieve significant success on the Billboard Hot 100 or mainstream pop music stations, his adherence to strictly country arrangements earned him admiration from musicians and songwriters across genres.


Frank Sinatra, one of the most iconic figures in popular music, paid a high compliment to Jones by calling him "the second-best singer in America." Even though Jones rarely ventured into the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, his influence reached beyond country music circles.
In a 1969 Rolling Stone interview, Bob Dylan, known for his contributions to folk and rock, mentioned George Jones's song "Small Time Laboring Man" as the best song released the previous year. Dylan, who admitted he wasn't a fan of what he heard on the radio in the early 1960s, expressed an exception for George Jones in his autobiography Chronicles.


Gram Parsons, a country rock pioneer, was a devoted George Jones fan. Parsons covered Jones's song "That's All It Took" on his first solo album. In the documentary Gram Parsons: Fallen Angel, rock groupie Pamela Des Barres recalled Parsons singing Jones's "She Once Lived Here" at an empty Whisky a Go Go, calling it her "peak moment."
Keith Richards, legendary guitarist for The Rolling Stones, had his interest in country music reignited by Gram Parsons, and after Jones's death in 2013, Richards praised Jones's expressive voice, noting that you could hear his heart in every note. Richards recorded "Say It's Not You" with Jones in 1994.


Mick Jagger, another member of The Rolling Stones, cited George Jones as one of his favorite country singers in The History of Rock 'N' Roll documentary. The impact of Jones's music extended far beyond the confines of traditional country, resonating with musicians who appreciated the authenticity and emotional depth he brought to his performances.


John Prine mentions Jones in his song "Jesus the Missing Years" and "Knockin' on Your Screen Door". Jones fan Elvis Costello had a surprise hit in the UK when he covered "A Good Year for the Roses" in 1981. Elliott Smith told an interviewer about his idea of Heaven: "It would be like New York in reverse: people would be nice to each other for no reason at all, and it would smell good." In a 2001 interview with Mark Binelli from Rolling Stone, Leonard Cohen asked, "Have you heard George Jones's last record Cold Hard Truth? I love to hear an old guy lay out his situation. He has the best voice in America." The day Jones died, Cohen performed "Choices" on stage in Winnipeg, Canada, as a tribute to the country legend. In 2013, Robbie Robertson told Uncut, "He was the Ray Charles of country music – the one who could make you cry with his voice...We wouldn't listen to country music, the guys in The Band, but we'd listen to George Jones..." Robert Plant told Uncut's Michael Bonner in 2014, "I now have to listen to George Jones once a day. Amazing singer. What a singer." James Taylor, who wrote "Bartender's Blues" with Jones in mind and sang background vocals with him on the recording, told Rolling Stone, "He sounds like a steel guitar. It's the way he blends notes, the way he comes up to them, the way he crescendos and decrescendos. The dynamic of it is very tight and very controlled – it's like carving with the voice." Other disparate artists who recorded with Jones or recorded his songs include Dennis Locorriere and Ray Sawyer of Dr. Hook, Mark Knopfler, the Staple Singers, Leon Russell, B.B King, Blackberry Smoke, The Grateful Dead, and Linda Ronstadt. In 1995, Burt Reynolds wrote, "He is to country music what Spencer Tracy is to movies."


Jones was one of the greatest harmony singers in country music, and released many duets over the course of his long career. While his songs with Tammy Wynette are his most celebrated, Jones claimed in his autobiography that he felt his duets with Melba Montgomery were his best. Jones also recorded duet albums with Gene Pitney and his former bass player Johnny Paycheck. George's record with Paycheck, 1980's Double Trouble, is one of his most atypical records, and features him giving credible performances on numbers such as "Maybelline" and "You Better Move On". Jones also recorded the duet albums My Very Special Guests (1979), A Taste of Yesterday's Wine with Merle Haggard (1982), Ladies Choice (1984), Friends In High Places (1991), The Bradley Barn Sessions (1994), God's Country: George Jones And Friends (2006), a second album with Merle Haggard called Kickin' Out The Footlights...Again (2006), and Burn Your Playhouse Down (2008).


Number-one country hits:

• "White Lightning" (1959)
• "Tender Years" (1961)
• "She Thinks I Still Care" (1962)
• "Walk Through This World with Me" (1967)
• "We're Gonna Hold On" (with Tammy Wynette) (1973)
• "The Grand Tour" (1974)
• "The Door" (1975)
• "Golden Ring" (with Tammy Wynette) (1976)
• "Near You" (with Tammy Wynette) (1977)
• "He Stopped Loving Her Today" (1980)
• "Still Doin' Time" (1981)
• "Yesterday's Wine" (with Merle Haggard) (1982)
• "I Always Get Lucky with You" (1983)

References

1.  "About George Jones". Country Music Television. Archived from the original on February 18, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
2. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "George Jones Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
3. ^ Yorke, Jeffrey (July 30, 1984). "Jammed Jamboree". Washington Post. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
4. ^ Gallagher, Pat (December 18, 2009). "George Jones Makes Peace With His Nicknames". The Boot. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
5. ^ Jones & Carter 1996, p. 16.^ Jump up to:
6. a b c d e Skinker, Chris (February 17, 1998). "George Jones". Country Music Television. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved May 15, 2013.
7. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (2003). All Music Guide to Country (2nd ed.). San Francisco: Backbeat. p. 387. ISBN 0-87930-760-9.
8. ^ Waddell, Ray (April 26, 2013). "George Jones: The Billboard Interview (2006)". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
9. ^ Haggard, Merle (May 6, 2013). "Merle Haggard Remembers George Jones". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 5, 2017.