Legends of Country Music: George Jones - The Possum

George Jones, known as "The Possum", was one of the most influential and successful country music singers of all time. With a career spanning over six decades, Jones recorded over 150 albums and charted more than 100 singles, including 14 number-one hits. His distinctive voice and emotional delivery earned him a legion of fans around the world.

Legends of Country Music - George Jones

by James Hoag

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Early Life and Career

George Glenn Jones was born on September 12, 1931, in Saratoga, Texas. He grew up in poverty and began singing and playing guitar at a young age. In 1953, he moved to Beaumont, Texas, where he met and married his first wife, Dorothy Bonham. The couple had one child together, a daughter named Susan.

In 1954, Jones signed a recording contract with Pappy Daily's Starday Records. His early recordings were not commercially successful, but he gained recognition for his distinctive vocal style. In 1959, he signed with United Artists Records and released his breakthrough hit, "White Lightning". The song became a number-one hit on the Billboard country chart and established Jones as a rising star.

The Possum Years

In the 1960s, Jones earned the nickname "The Possum" due to his resemblance to the animal. He continued to release hit singles throughout the decade, including "Tender Years", "She Thinks I Still Care", and "He Stopped Loving Her Today". The latter song, released in 1980, became Jones's signature hit and is considered one of the greatest country songs of all time.

Jones's personal life was often tumultuous during this period. He struggled with alcohol and drug addiction, and he had several failed marriages. In 1983, he met and married his fourth wife, Nancy Sepulvado. The couple remained married until Jones's death in 2013.

Later Career and Legacy

In the 1980s and 1990s, Jones continued to release successful albums and singles. He also toured extensively and performed to sold-out crowds around the world. In 1989, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. In 2002, he received the Kennedy Center Honors for his lifetime achievement in American culture.

George Jones died on April 26, 2013, at the age of 81. He was one of the most successful and influential country music singers of all time. His distinctive voice and emotional delivery earned him a legion of fans around the world. Jones's legacy continues to inspire and influence country music artists today.

Discography

• Grand Tour (1962)
• I Am What I Am (1965)
• My Name Is George Jones (1966)
• The Race Is On (1967)
• We Gotta Quit Meetin' (1969)
• George Jones (1970)
• I've Got Five Dollars and It's Saturday Night (1972)
• Nothing Ever Hurt Me (Half as Bad as Losing You) (1972)
• The Battle (1974)
• Alone Again (1977)
• My Very Special Guests (1979)
• He Stopped Loving Her Today (1980)
• I Am What I Am (1981)
• Tennessee Whiskey (1982)
• A Picture of Me (Without You) (1984)
• Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes (1985)
• You and Me (1989)
• Pure Country (1992)
• Bradley Barn Sessions (1994)
• The Bradley Barn Sessions, Vol. 2 (1995)
• The Gospel Collection (1996)
• It Don't Get Any Better Than This (1998)
• The Grand Tour 2 (2002)
• Hits I Missed and One I Didn't (2004)
• The Possum Swings (2005)
• Burn Your Playhouse Down (2008)
• George Jones (2011)

Quotes

• "I've never taken a lesson in my life. I just opened my mouth and it came out."
• "I've been singing since I was a little boy. It's all I ever wanted to do."
• "Country music is the music of the people. It's the music of real life."
• "I've been through a lot in my life, but I've always had my music to get me through it."
• "I'm just a simple country boy from Texas. I'm not a superstar. I'm just George Jones."