George Jones salutes the crowd at a 1993 event in Nashville. (Photo by the Associated Press’ Mark Humphrey)
By: Jacob Elyachar
The country music world has lost an icon.
Multiple outlets including People Magazine, New York Times and CNN have confirmed that celebrated singer-songwriter George Jones has passed away at 81-years-old.
Mr. Jones was born on September 12, 1931 in Saratoga, Texas.
The future country superstar fell in love with music when his father bought him his first guitar for his 11th birthday.
When Mr. Jones was in seventh grade, he quit school and began the first stages of his career and performed on the streets of Port Arthur, Texas, which lead him to his first gigs as a radio performer and bar staple.
However, his career was sidelined for military service during the Korean War. Once the war was over, Mr. Jones returned to the East Texas bars that he used to haunt.
Things started to change when Starday Records’ Pappy Daily, who mentored the Saratoga native to the first part of his recording career, first discovered him. While Jones’ first single under Starday Records, “No Money in This Deal,” failed to chart, Mr. Jones’s 1955 hit: “Why, Baby, Why” became a sensation.
Hoping to continue his success, Mr. Jones moved to Nashville and began a journey that would take him to the top of the charts.
From the rockabilly sounds of songs including “White Lightning” and “Root Beer” to his signature ballads like “A Good Year for the Roses” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” Jones began to accumulate a lot of achievements that included two Grammy Awards, multiple Country Music Awards, 14 number one hits and a Kennedy Center Honor.
Off-stage, Mr. Jones faced numerous challenges including a string of three failed marriages that included fellow country icon Tammy Wynette and a cocaine addiction.
However, with the help of his fourth wife, Nancy Sepulvado, Mr. Jones cleaned up his act and returned to the stage in the late 1980s.
Multiple performers including Neil Young, Vince Gil, Randy Travis and Garth Brooks are among the artists that owe their careers to the country legend and have continued to build a legacy that will endure for years to come.
Jake’s Take would like to send its’ condolences to Mr. Jones’ friends, family and colleagues.
