George Jones, a country music legend, is often considered as one of the greatest voices of all time. Throughout his career, he brought an unparalleled depth to every song he performed. With hits like “He Stopped Loving Her Today” and “The Grand Tour” that defined classic country music, Jones enchanted millions of hearts
His career spanned more than five decades, earning him numerous accolades. Despite personal struggles, his influence on the music world remains strong, with his voice continuing to inspire generations of artists and listeners alike.
This article will offer some things about this legend that even dedicated fans might not know.
1. George Jones used to busk on the streets of Beaumont
In 1942, George Jones’s life took a turn when his father found work in a shipyard in Beaumont. Surrounded by the lively atmosphere of honky-tonks, young George was introduced to the sounds of working-class country music. His father bought him his first guitar at just nine years old, and he learned his first chords and songs at church.
Jone made a living from music by laying in a local penny arcade and busking on the streets. He then started his career and left school after the seventh grade.
2. While working at a radio station, Jones had the chance to meet his idol, Hank Williams
The singer went to Jasper, Texas, where he played live on the KTXJ radio station with Dalton Henderson. He later worked at KRIC radio, where one day he met his idol, Hank Williams. For Jones, Williams was the ultimate inspiration. He often shared how much he admired Williams and eagerly waited for each new record.
In the 1989 video documentary Same Ole Me, Jones admitted, “I couldn’t think or eat nothin’ unless it was Hank Williams, and I couldn’t wait for his next record to come out. He had to be, really, the greatest.”
3. Initially, Jones hated “He Stopped Loving Her Today”
When George Jones first heard “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” he wasn’t convinced it would be a success because for him, it was too dark to resonate with fans. However, the song would soon prove him wrong as it became one of the most iconic and heartbreaking country songs of all time.
Released in 1980, it not only earned the Academy of Country Music Award for Single and Song of the Year, but it also revived Jones’ career, which had been in decline. The track even won the Country Music Association’s Song of the Year for two consecutive years, cementing its place in music history.
4. At one point, he accidentally flushed $1,200 down the toilet
George Jones was no stranger to wild stories, and one of the most infamous involves Pappy Daily, a music producer. After bailing Jones out of jail and arranging a $2,500 show for him in Houston, Daily thought everything was under control.
But things took a chaotic turn when Jones partied hard and rumors spread that he flushed a large chunk of his earnings down the toilet.
Daily confronted the singer about the incident, saying, “Golly, George, I get you out of jail, get you a date, give you front money and buy you new stage wear, and you go and flush $2,500 down the toilet!”
“That’s a goddamn lie,” replied Jones. “It wasn’t but $1,200.”
5. Jones professed his love for Tammy Wynette during a dinner with her and her husband
In his 1996 autobiography, I Lived to Tell It All, George Jones recounts a dramatic evening in 1968. During a dinner with Tammy Wynette, her then-husband Don Chapel, and their children, tensions erupted when Chapel began insulting Wynette.
In response, Jones overturned the dining table and declared his love for Wynette. The evening ended with Wynette, her daughters, and Jones leaving together
This intense moment is vividly brought to life in Showtime’s upcoming series George & Tammy. The show, starring Michael Shannon as Jones and Jessica Chastain as Wynette, explores their turbulent yet legendary romance.
6. He refused to attend the CMA awards after being asked to perform a shortened version of his song “Choices”
CMA approached country legend George Jones, whose song “Choices” had been nominated for Country Music Single of the Year. There was a caveat: he would only have one minute to sing his hit song, necessitating an abridged version. On the other hand, younger musicians were allotted up to four minutes for their sets.
Jones considered the time slot an insult and opted not to attend the awards ceremony. Instead, he watched from home as Alan Jackson took his place. But Jackson wasn’t about to let anyone forget that the night should have been about Jones.
“I thought it was stupid that the CMA wouldn’t let George do his whole song,” Jackson later told The Washington Post. “George wasn’t some new artist nominated for single of the year. He’s a living legend who’s been making records for 40 years.”