Gene Watson Peer's Quote from George Jones: May 2005
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 Watson's Peers who were contacted during 2005 were most gracious with their time and words. It is here, within this special part of the Gene Watson Fan Site, 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 on Saturday 12 September 1931 and is considered by many to be one of the finest singers in country music. George has a voice that is recognised instantly and is known as 'The Rolls Royce' of country music.
George Jones 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 'George Jones: 50 Years of Hits', a 3-CD set which featured one hit for each year of his career.
George Jones has won two Grammy Awards, separated by eighteen years; the first was in 1981 for his performance of 'He Stopped Loving Her Today' (No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in July 1980) and the second was in 1999 for his performance of 'Choices', which was written by Billy Yates.
George Jones 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 Honour 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 and Lacy J. Dalton recorded 'Size Seven Round (Made Of Gold)'; the track was included on George Jones' 'Ladies Choice' (Epic Records, 1984).
George Jones has had numerous duet partners beginning with Melba Montgomery and (pop star) Gene Pitney (Saturday 17 February 1940 - Wednesday 5 April 2006), in the early 1960s. His most famous partner was his ex-wife, Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 - Monday 6 April 1998), the 'First Lady of Country Music'.
George Jones has also recorded duets with everyone from Ray Charles (Tuesday 23 September 1930 - Thursday 10 June 2004) to Merle Haggard to Keith Richards and Shelby Lynne.
In August 1984, George Jones and Chet Atkins (Friday 20 June 1924 - Saturday 30 June 2001) were guest duet partners on the track 'We Didn't See A Thing', which was included on Ray Charles: 'Friendship' (Columbia Records, 1984); the album was re-issued by Columbia/Legacy Records in 2005.
More than one thousand different album titles have been released on George Jones, including many compilations, encompassing more than one thousand individual songs. George Jones 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' (No.1, 1959)
'Tender Years' (No.1, 1961)
'She Thinks I Still Care' (No.1, 1962)
'We're Gonna Hold On' (a duet with Tammy Wynette) (two weeks at No.1 in October/November 1973)
'The Grand Tour' (one week at No.1 in August 1974)
'The Door' (one week at No.1 in January 1975)
'Golden Ring' (a duet with Tammy Wynette) (one week at No.1 in August 1976)
'Near You' (a duet with Tammy Wynette) (two weeks at No.1 in February 1977)
'He Stopped Loving Her Today' (one week at No.1 in July 1980)
'Still Doin' Time' (one week at No.1 in December 1981)
'I Always Get Lucky With You' (one week at No.1 in July 1983)
In 1986, there were plans for Gene Watson and George Jones to record a duets album together. Studio time was booked, a producer (George Jones' producer Billy Sherrill) was selected for the project and 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 and George Jones did, however, record the Christmas standard 'Silver Bells' in the mid-1980s.
Garth Brooks recorded 'Beer Run' (written by Kent Blazy, Kim Williams, Amanda Williams, Keith Anderson and George Ducas) and included the track on 'Scarecrow' (Liberty Records, 2001); the track was a duet with George Jones.
In 2003, George Jones entered the food business by introducing a variety of 'George Jones Country Style Breakfast Sausage and Country Style Hamburger Patties', as well as a line of Marinades and Barbecue Sauces, along with his own Tennessee Sipping Water 'George Jones White Lightning'.
Garry Ash paid tribute to both George Jones and Ray Price with the track 'Possum And Price' (written by Jim Massey); the track was included on 'Man In The Moon' (Self Release, 2011).
Gene Watson and George Jones at the UTV Country Festival in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland on Sunday 3 August 2008
Jimmy Dean (Friday 10 August 1928 - Sunday 13 June 2010) recorded George Jones' 'Nothing Can Stop My Love', which was co-written with Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 - Sunday 25 October 1992) and included the track on 'Jimmy Dean Sings His Television Favourites' (Mercury Records, 1957).
Jimmy Dean (Friday 10 August 1928 - Sunday 13 June 2010) recorded George Jones' 'Hello Mister Blues' (co-written with Pete Graves and Jimmy Dean) and included the track on 'Jimmy Dean Sings His Television Favourites' (Mercury Records, 1957).
Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 - Sunday 24 February 1991) recorded George Jones' 'Life To Go' and included the track on 'Webb' (Decca Records, 1958).
Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 - Monday 16 July 2012) recorded George Jones' 'Seasons Of My Heart' (co-written with Darrell Edwards) and included the track on 'Seasons Of My Heart' (Decca Records, 1960).
Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 - Friday 12 September 2003) recorded George Jones' 'Seasons Of My Heart' (co-written with Darrell Edwards) and included the track on 'Now There Was A Song' (Columbia Records, 1960).
Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 - Friday 12 September 2003) recorded George Jones' 'Just One More' and included the track on 'Now There Was A Song' (Columbia Records, 1960).
Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 - Friday 12 September 2003) recorded George Jones' 'Accidentally On Purpose' (co-written with Darrell Edwards) and included the track on 'The Sound of Johnny Cash' (Columbia Records, 1962).
Margie Singleton and George Jones recorded George Jones' 'Yearning (To Kiss You)' (co-written with Eddie Eddings) and included the track on 'Duets Country Style' (Mercury Records, 1962).
Loretta Lynn recorded George Jones' 'Colour Of The Blues', which was co-written with Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 - Thursday 26 July 2007) and included the track on 'Loretta Lynn Sings' (Decca Records, 1963).
Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 - Monday 16 July 2012) recorded George Jones' 'Window Up Above' and included the track on 'Especially For You' (Decca Records, 1964).
Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 - Tuesday 10 December 1996) recorded George Jones' 'Forgive Me Dear' (co-written with Faron Young) and included the track on 'Falling In Love' (Capitol Records, 1965); the track was No.1 on the country music singles chart in 1965.
Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 - Tuesday 10 December 1996) recorded George Jones' 'Forgive Me Dear' (co-written with Faron Young) and included the track on 'It's A Great Life' (Tower Records, 1966); the track was No.1 on the country music singles chart in 1965.
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 - Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded George Jones' 'I Made Her That Way' (co-written with Dale Ward) and included the track on 'Look Into My Teardrops' (Decca Records, 1966).
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 - Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded George Jones' 'Take Me', which was co-written with Leon Payne (Friday 15 June 1917 - Thursday 11 September 1969) and included the track on 'Look Into My Teardrops' (Decca Records, 1966).
Loretta Lynn and Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 - Thursday 6 September 1984) recorded George Jones' 'Yearning (To Kiss You)' (co-written with Eddie Eddings) and included the track on 'Singing Again' (Decca Records, 1967).
The Everly Brothers (Don and Phil Everly) recorded George Jones' 'You Done Me Wrong' (co-written with Ray Price) and included the track on 'Roots' (Warner Bros. Records, 1968).
Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 - Tuesday 10 December 1996) recorded George Jones' 'That's The Way I Feel', which was co-written with Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 - Sunday 25 October 1992), and included the track on 'The World Of Faron Young' (Tower Records, 1968); the track reached No.9 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1968.
Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 - Wednesday 26 January 2011) recorded George Jones' 'Life To Go' and included the track on 'The Kind Of Man I Am' (Capitol Records, 1969).
Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 - Monday 6 April 1998) recorded George Jones' 'I Know' (co-written with Tammy Wynette) and included the track on 'The Ways To Love A Man' (Epic Records, 1970).
Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 - Monday 6 April 1998) recorded George Jones' 'Yearning (To Kiss You)' (co-written with Eddie Eddings) and included the track on 'The Ways To Love A Man' (Epic Records, 1970).
Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 - Monday 6 April 1998) recorded George Jones' 'These Two' (co-written with Tammy Wynette) and included the track on 'The Ways To Love A Man' (Epic Records, 1970).
Jack Greene (Tuesday 7 January 1930 - Thursday 14 March 2013) and Jeannie Seely recorded George Jones' 'Yearning (To Kiss You)' (co-written with Eddie Eddings) and included the track on 'Jack Greene and Jeannie Seely' (Decca Records, 1970).
Jack Greene (Tuesday 7 January 1930 - Thursday 14 March 2013) and Jeannie Seely recorded George Jones' 'You're Mine' (co-written with Jack Ripley) and included the track on 'Jack Greene and Jeannie Seely' (Decca Records, 1970).
Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 - Sunday 25 October 1992) recorded George Jones' 'Tall Tall Trees' (co-written with Roger Miller) and included the track on 'A Trip In The Country' (Mercury Records, 1970).
Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 - Sunday 25 October 1992) recorded George Jones' 'Nothing Can Stop My Love' (co-written with Roger Miller) and included the track on 'A Trip In The Country' (Mercury Records, 1970).
Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 - Sunday 25 October 1992) recorded George Jones' 'That's The Way I Feel' (co-written with Roger Miller) and included the track on 'A Trip In The Country' (Mercury Records, 1970).
Dolly Parton recorded George Jones' 'You Gotta Be My Baby' and included the track on 'A Real Live Dolly' (RCA Records, 1970).
Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 - Friday 12 September 2003) recorded George Jones' 'Accidentally On Purpose' (co-written with Darrell Edwards) and included the track on 'The World Of Johnny Cash' (Columbia Records, 1970).
Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 - Monday 6 April 1998) recorded George Jones' 'Lonely Christmas Call' (co-written with George Riddle) and included the track on 'Christmas With Tammy' (Epic Records, 1970).
Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 - Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded George Jones' 'Take Me', which was co-written with Leon Payne (Friday 15 June 1917 - Thursday 11 September 1969) and included the track on 'We Only Make Believe' (Decca Records, 1971).
Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 - Monday 6 April 1998) and George Jones recorded George Jones' 'It's So Sweet' (co-written with Tammy Wynette) and included the track on 'We Go Together' (Epic Records, 1971).
Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 - Monday 6 April 1998) and George Jones recorded George Jones' 'Never Grow Cold' (co-written with Tammy Wynette) and included the track on 'We Go Together' (Epic Records, 1971).
Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 - Monday 6 April 1998) and George Jones recorded George Jones' 'Take Me', which was co-written with Leon Payne (Friday 15 June 1917 - Thursday 11 September 1969) and included the track on 'We Go Together' (Epic Records, 1971).
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 - Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded George Jones' 'Seasons Of My Heart' (co-written with Darrell Edwards) and included the track on 'You've Never Been This Far Before' (MCA Records, 1973).
Connie Smith recorded George Jones' 'We're Gonna Hold On' (co-written with Earl Montgomery) and included the track on 'That's The Way Love Goes' (Columbia Records, 1974).
Loretta Lynn recorded George Jones' 'The Window Up Above' and included the track on 'Home' (MCA Records, 1975).
Rosanne Cash recorded George Jones' 'I'm Ragged, But I'm Right' and included the track on 'Rosanne Cash' (Ariola Records, 1978).
Merle Haggard and George Jones recorded George Jones' 'No Show Jones' (co-written with Glenn Martin); the track was included on the Merle Haggard/George Jones duet album 'A Taste Of Yesterday's Wine' (Epic Records, 1982). Although the track was not released as a single, it did gain a significant amount of album airplay.
Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 - Friday 12 September 2003) recorded George Jones' 'I'm Ragged, But I'm Right' and included the track on 'Johnny 99' (Columbia Records, 1983).
Ricky Skaggs recorded George Jones' 'Window Up Above' and included the track on 'Country Boy' (Epic Records, 1984).
Alan Jackson recorded George Jones' 'Tall Tall Trees', which was co-written with Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 - Sunday 25 October 1992), and included the track on 'Greatest Hits Collection' (Arista Records, 1995); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1995.
The Whites recorded George Jones' 'I'd Jump The Mississippi' (co-written with Johnny Mathis) and included the track on 'Give A Little Back' (Step One Records, 1996).
Marty Stuart and The Fabulous Superlatives recorded George Jones' 'Old, Old House' (co-written with Hal Bynum) and included the track on 'Cool Country Favourites' (Superlatone Records, 2008).
Patty Loveless recorded George Jones' 'Colour Of The Blues', which was co-written with Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 - Thursday 26 July 2007), and included the track on 'Sleepless Nights' (Saguaro Records, 2009).
On Tuesday 30 October 2012, Leona Williams saw the release of 'By George This Is...Leona Williams' (Ah Ha Entertainment, 2012), a tribute album to George Jones.
Leona Williams' 'By George This Is...Leona Williams' (Ah Ha Entertainment, 2012) included one brand new song, 'Ole George', which was written by Leona Williams, along with her renditions of classic country songs, which were originally recorded by George Jones (Billboard chart positions refer to George Jones):
'Window Up Above' (written by George Jones) (No.2, 1960)
'A Picture of Me, Without You' (written by Norro Wilson and George Richey) (No.5, 1972)
'He Thinks I Still Care' (written by Dickie Lee and Steve Duffy) (No.1 for six weeks in Spring/Summer 1962)
'I'll Share My World With You' (No.2, 1969)
'Color Of The Blues' (written by Lawton Williams and George Jones) (No.7, 1958)
'The Race Is On/White Lightning'/Why Baby Why' (medley)
'The Race Is On' (written by George Jones and Don Rollins) (No.3, 1964)
'White Lightning' (written by J.P. Richardson) (No.1 in April 1959)
'Why Baby Why' (written by Darrell Edwards and George Jones) (No.4, 1955)
'I'm Not Ready Yet' (written by Tom T. Hall) (No.2, 1980)
'Walk Through This World With Me' (written by Sandy Seamons and Kaye Savage) (No.1 for two weeks in early 1967)
'Things Have Gone To Pieces', which was a duet with Gene Pitney (Monday 17 February 1941 - Wednesday 5 April 2006) (No.9, 1965)
'When The Grass Grows Over Me' (No.2, 1968)
'He Stopped Loving Her Today' (written by Bobby Braddock and Curley Putman) (No.1 for one week in July 1980)
'You Comb Her Hair' (No.5, 1963)
'Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes?', which was written by Troy Seals and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 - Sunday 11 January 2004) (No.3, 1985)
Sadly, George Jones, who was known affectionately within country music circles as 'The Possum', passed away on Friday 26 April 2013; George Jones was eighty-one years old.
George Jones
Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013
On Sunday 28 April 2013, it was announced that George Jones’ funeral would take place on Thursday 2 May 2013 at The Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, starting at 10.00am and would be open to the public.
'George would have wanted his fans and friends everywhere to be able to come and pay their respects along with his family'
Publicist Kirt Webster
'Thanks to George’s friends, fans and loved ones for the outpouring of love at this terrible time. I love you all'
Nancy Jones
In lieu of flowers, the family asked that contributions be made to the Grand Ole Opry Trust Fund; donations can be mailed to Opry Trust Fund, 2804 Opryland Drive, Nashville 37214 or can be made online at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
George Jones’ funeral took place on Thursday 2 May 2013 at The Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, at 10.00am and was open to the general public.
Visit George Jones' Official Site