One of the most astounding things about George Jones is that he survived a period of extreme self destruction.
He lived hard. Drinking. Cocaine. Shooting at people. Wrecking cars. Think 2012 Randy Travis times 100.
From those years came some of the best country music the world has ever heard.
He liked his songs about cheating. Drinking. Honky tonks. Real country, if you ask me.
He mourned the passing of his country music heroes with a song called, “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes?”
He might as well have included himself in the song.
He was one of the last greats of country music. Hank, Merle, Buck, Johnny, Willie, Marty, and George.
Amazingly, he outlived almost all of them.
I had the honor of meeting George backstage in the late 1980’s. He had all but given up on country music until Randy Travis came along. He started recording again, and was touring with Conway Twitty and Merle Haggard. His wife, Nancy, had helped him turn his life around.
George wasn’t overly friendly when I met him. He signed some photos, took a picture, and thanked us. It wasn’t his personality that made him special. Or the ridiculous baby blue leisure suit he was wearing.
In an era of music where the singer’s personal life and off-stage antics often overshadow their music, this was never the case with George.
The voice. That voice. Good singers can sing you a song. George Jones made you feel the song.
One of the things I liked best about George was that he wasn’t afraid to cover other singers’ songs — and have them cover his songs.
His voice had given out years ago, but he kept touring. Almost like he didn’t know what else to do.
George had planned his last concert for November 22 in Nasvhille. It might be best that concert never happened. Because there’s no right way to say goodbye to a legend the size of George Jones.
My favorite of his songs:
