Beloved Country Singer, 49, Pays Tribute to Country Music Legend George Jones
Beloved country singer , 49, paid a heartfelt tribute to the iconic George Jones on June 3, as a bronze statue of "The Possum" was unveiled at the historic Ryman Auditorium's Icon Walk. Johnson, known for his deep-rooted respect for country music's trailblazers, joined Jones' widow, Nancy Jones, and Ryman Hospitality Properties Executive Chairman Colin Reed for the emotional ceremony, further cementing Jones' legacy at the "Mother Church of Country Music."
The life-sized statue, crafted by sculptor Ben Watts, captures the essence of Jones, who passed away in 2013. It now stands among other country music titans like , Bill Monroe, , and , gracing the entrance of the revered venue where Jones himself delivered countless unforgettable performances.
For Johnson, the moment was personal. He spoke fondly of his relationship with the legendary vocalist, stating, "He was a dear friend who was more like a distant relative, who was always good for a warm hug and a bright smile." This bond was well-documented, with Jones featuring on Johnson's 2008 track, "Keeping Up With The Jonesin'." More recently, Nancy Jones played a part in Johnson's personal life, recommending the venue for his May 2025 wedding to Brittney Eakins.
The Ryman Auditorium, a National Historic Landmark, holds a special place in country music history. It was home to the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974, and Jones, a Grand Ole Opry member since 1956, had a reverence for the institution.
Jamey Johnson's presence at the unveiling is a testament to his championing of traditional country music and its pioneers. Often seen as an heir to the outlaw country movement, Johnson has covered songs by his heroes and spoken about their influence on his own critically acclaimed career. His upcoming "The Last Honky Tonk Tour" itself is a tribute to another late friend and musician, Wayne Mills.
The statue unveiling not only commemorates George Jones' contributions to music—his voice often hailed as the greatest in country history—but also serves as a reminder of the d mutual respect that run through the Nashville music community.
As fans and visitors walk past the Ryman, they will now be greeted by the likeness of a man whose music continues to inspire generations, a tribute made all the more poignant by the presence of artists like Jamey Johnson who carry the torch forward. The unveiling underscores that while "The Possum" may be gone, his music and his spirit remain an indelible part of country music's soul.
Beloved Country Singer, 49, Pays Tribute to Country Music Legend George Jones first appeared on Parade on Jun 4, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
10-Time Grammy Winner Reveals Awkward Encounter With Taylor Swift
10-Time Grammy Winner Reveals Awkward Encounter With Taylor Swift originally appeared on Parade. When Taylor Swift thanks you for coming to her birthday party, how do you reply? In an interview with The Guardian published Sunday, Aug. 10, singer-songwriter and producer Finneas opened up about a "cringey" encounter he once shared with the global pop star in that exact scenario. "I said thanks for coming to Taylor Swift. At her birthday party," the 10-time Grammy winner, 28, told The Guardian. "She said, 'Thank you so much for coming' and I said, 'Thank you for coming!'" Fans also know Finneas — who did the recent interview with fellow singer-songwriter Ashe to promote their new pop duo The Favors — as the brother of renowned pop star Billie Eilish. Finneas shared with The Guardian about his upbringing in Los Angeles and, more specifically, the strangest job he ever had there. "Growing up in LA, they have you do a thing that as a kid, you're like, 'sweet' — and then as an adult, you're like, 'that was child labor.' It's called market research," Finneas told the publication. "They're like, do you want to watch a show or play a game and then talk to a panel of adults who are working on the thing for many hours in exchange for literally $15? Like, a crazy low number for a day's amount of work! You're probably eight. You're very young. And you get a dial that you turn as you watch the show for like, 'I'm enjoying it' or 'I'm not enjoying it.'" And on an inspirational note, Finneas shared with The Guardian the best piece of advice he ever received. "A guy who's a mastering engineer once said to me, 'Listen man, if something ever goes wrong, you just rock out.' Just rock out, man," said Finneas. "I sometimes think, damn, I really am doing that. I had a show recently where s--- was going wrong, and I was like: time to rock out, dude. What's my alternative here? Oh, my flight's delayed four hours? Let's rock out, dude." 10-Time Grammy Winner Reveals Awkward Encounter With Taylor Swift first appeared on Parade on Aug 11, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 11, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Thousands celebrate Pride in packed Montreal streets
The streets of Montreal were packed for the city's Pride parade on Sunday. Despite some controversy leading up to it, thousands of people showed up downtown to celebrate and embrace diversity. Global's Elizabeth Zogalis reports.
CBS News
7 hours ago
- CBS News
Historic 1880s "Miss Belle's House" moves to its final location in Richardson
A historic home in Richardson hit the road and moved to its final location Sunday. The Victorian home, called "Miss Belle's House," was originally built between 1886 and 1889 and is a Texas historic landmark. "It is one of the older homes within the community," Richardson spokesperson Greg Sowell said. Virginia Bell Roberson ran a school out of the home in the early 1900s. "Her parents actually bought her this house to run a private school. On the first floor, she had kindergarten through third grade and private school there, and then she lived on the second floor," Sowell said. The two-story home was relocated to Owens Farm in 1979. "For decades, if you went to elementary school here, it was your window into the past for the city of Richardson because you would have gone through tours and seen kind of what those early days were like here in the city," Sowell said. "Today is the move of Miss Belle's House, as it's affectionately known as." Construction crews descended on the home early Sunday morning and carefully began the delicate three-mile journey down Plano Road. Larry Abeln joined other people to watch the process. "It's just fun. It's a neat thing to see just watching it go down the road," Abeln said. "Good heavens, there it is, moving now!" Abeln watched in awe, seeing the commotion and fanfare. "It's such a production having all the police and the electrical people and everybody out here," Abeln said. Miss Belle's home made the journey to Huffhines Park, where Abeln and other history buffs watched and took in the moment. "It's a big part of Richardson's history," Abeln said. "We've lived here 43 years, and we used to take the kids over to Owens Farm when this house was over there." It's not the end for Miss Belle's House now that it's at its permanent home. Restoration work is planned, and the city of Richardson is seeking donations for park benches, historical markers, and landscaping to give the home some much-needed TLC. "There's a sentimental value that I think you're seeing and feeling as you run into the people out here," Sowell said. "It come down to the importance and the feeling of the community. I think that's where it really stands is the connection that people feel with." "We think Richardson is a great place, and Miss Belle's House is just part of it," Abeln said. It's a future well in the making, saved for future generations to enjoy.
