Gene Watson's Peers: George Jones
Gene Watson's peers within the country music
industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas,
so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as 'the singer's singer' -
and rightly so!
All of Gene's Peers who were contacted in 2005 were most
gracious with their time & words. It is here, within this special part of
gene-watson.com, that you have an opportunity to read
a quote from George Jones, which he submitted to this site on
Thursday 19 May 2005.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to
George Jones who has
made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of
a Lone Star Hero'.
George Jones
This quote was submitted on Thursday 19 May 2005
'Gene Watson is one of my all time favourite country
singers.
I love the way he belts out a ballad and I would have to say, the one I
always think of when someone says Gene Watson is 'Farewell party'.
It just doesn’t get any better than that!'
Thank you, George Jones, for your support of Gene Watson
About George Jones...
George Jones was born in Saratoga,
east Texas & is considered by many to be one of the finest singers in
country music. George has a voice that is recognised instantly & is known as
'The Rolls Royce' of country music.
George first hit the charts in 1955 with 'Why baby why'. In 2004, he
celebrated his 50th Anniversary as a recording artist with the release of a
3-CD set ('George Jones: 50 Years of Hits'), a collection that features one
hit for each year of his career.
George has won two Grammy Awards, separated by eighteen years; the first was
in 1981 for his performance of 'He stopped loving her today' (1 week at No.1
in 1982) & the second was in 1999 for his performance of 'Choices', which
was written by Billy Yates.
George has also won numerous awards throughout his career, beginning in 1956
as Billboard Magazine’s 'Most Promising New Country Vocalist', to country
music’s ultimate recognition: his 1992 induction into the Country Music Hall
of Fame.
George Jones also received the prestigious 2002 National Medal of Arts Honor
from President George W. Bush, a Medal that 'honours individuals for the
singular distinction of their artistic careers'. The National Medal of Arts
is the United States’ highest honour for artistic excellence.
George Jones & Lacy J.
Dalton recorded 'Size seven round (made of gold)' & included the track
on George Jones' 'Ladies Choice' (Epic Records, 1984)
George Jones has had numerous duet partners beginning with Melba Montgomery
& (pop star) Gene Pitney, in the early 1960s. His most famous partner was
his ex-wife, Tammy Wynette, the 'First Lady of Country Music'. George has also
recorded duets with everyone from Ray Charles to Merle Haggard to Keith
Richards & Shelby Lynne.
More than one thousand different album titles have been released on George
Jones (including many compilations), encompassing more than one thousand
individual songs. George has charted more singles (166) than any artist in
any format of music.
George Jones' No.1 hits on the Billboard country music singles chart include
the following:
'White lightning' (1959)
'Tender years' (1961)
'She thinks I still care' (1962)
'We're gonna hold on' (a duet with Tammy Wynette) (2 weeks at No.1 in
October/November 1973)
'The grand tour' (1 week at No.1 in August 1974)
'The door' (1 week at No.1 in January 1975)
'Golden ring' (a duet with Tammy Wynette) (1 week at No.1 in August 1976)
'Near you' (a duet with Tammy Wynette) (2 weeks at No.1 in February 1977)
'He stopped loving her today' (1 week at No.1 in July 1980)
'Still doin' time' (1 week at No.1 in December 1981)
'I always get lucky with you' (1 week at No.1 in July 1983)
In 2003, George Jones entered the food business by introducing a variety of
'George Jones Country Style Breakfast Sausage & Country Style Hamburger
Patties', as well as a line of Marinades & Barbecue Sauces, along with his
own Tennessee Sipping Water 'George Jones White Lightning'.
In 1986, there were plans for Gene Watson & George Jones to record a duets
album together. Studio time was booked, a producer (George Jones'
producer Billy Sherrill) was selected for the project & a list of possible
tracks drawn up, but this album did not happen.
Gene Watson, however, went on to record the album alone as 'Honk
Tonk Crazy' (Epic Records, 1987) with producer Billy Sherrill at the
helm.
Gene Watson & George Jones did, however, record the Christmas standard
'Silver Bells' in the mid-1980s.
Gene Watson &
George Jones pictured at the UTV Country Festival in Dungannon, Co.
Tyrone, Northern Ireland on Sunday 3 August 2008
Jack Greene &
Jeannie Seely recorded George Jones' 'Yearning (to kiss you)'
(co-written with Eddie Eddings) & included the track on 'Jack Greene &
Jeannie Seely' (Decca Records, 1970)
Jack Greene &
Jeannie Seely recorded George Jones' 'You're mine' (co-written with Jack
Ripley) & included the track on 'Jack Greene & Jeannie Seely' (Decca
Records, 1970)
Visit George Jones' Official Site
