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Forbes
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Nashville Unveils Statue Honoring George Jones - Outside The Ryman Auditorium
New statue outside the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN honors country music legend George Jones With one of the most distinctive voices in music, showcased by songs like 'He Stopped Loving Her Today,' 'Grand Tour,' and others, many fans and artists alike consider George Jones the greatest country singer of all time. Now, twelve years after his death, the country legend has his own statue outside the Ryman Auditorium. Friends, family, and fans gathered in downtown Nashville to see the statue for the first time and celebrate the country legend who played the Ryman many times throughout his career, when it served as home to the Grand Ole Opry. Jones became a member of the Opry in 1956. At the unveiling ceremony, Colin Reed, Ryman Hospitality Properties Executive Chairman, presented Jones' wife, Nancy, with a photograph of Jones playing on the Ryman stage decades ago. Nancy Jones shows photograph of husband, George Jones, performing at the Ryman. The photo was given ... More to her by Ryman Hospitality Properties Executive Chairman Colin Reed at unveiling of Jones' statue. June 03, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by) Over the past year, Nancy has spent time with sculptor Ben Watts, sharing artifacts, clothing items, and photos of her husband, as Watts worked to create the statue. She was excited to see the end result. Colin Reed and George Jones's wife, Nancy, attend the unveiling ceremony of new statute. Ryman ... More Auditorium, June 03, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by) 'The statue is beautiful,' she said. 'It has the wedding band, the ring he wore all the time, it's just beautiful.' It also captures the way Jones dressed, his stance on stage, and even sports his favorite guitar strap. Nashville unveils new statue honoring George Jones. Ryman Auditorium. Famous for a steady string of country hits, Jones was equally well-known for getting into trouble due to his problems with drugs and alcohol. The man known as 'The Possum' also ended up with a second nickname of 'No Show Jones' after he failed to show up to a number of his own concerts. With Nancy's help, things improved for Jones later in life. Fellow musician and good friend Jamey Johson paid tribute to Jones with a couple of stories about his 'antics', like the one where a relative took away Jones' car keys to keep from drinking and Jones took off in a John Deere riding lawn mower. 'Everybody's heard about that lawn mower incident," Johnson, "but that dude really drove a lawn mower eight miles to get to a bar. At the time, it didn't seem like an antic to him. It was what was necessary if he was gonna get a drink.' Jamey Johnson pays tribute to friend and fellow country artist George Jones Ryman at the unveiling ... More of new George Jones statue. They not only shared a love of music, they had a special connection as both served in the Marines. June 03, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by) He also recounted a story about the time Jones and Buck Owens were touring together and alternating their shows. One night Jones would open and Owens would close, and the next night they'd reverse the order. It worked out fine until they were set to do a show near Jones' hometown on a night and Owens was scheduled to close. Jones, expecting a lot of people he knew might be there, asked Owens to switch and let 'him' close that night. Owens refused. 'So, George took the stage that night and did something Buck couldn't do,' Johnson explained. 'George knew every song that Buck Owens was going to do that night and since they were sharing the band, George went out and did Buck's entire set before Buck came on. When George walked off the stage he looked at Buck and said, 'Follow that.' Despite his Jones' reputation for bad behavior, Nancy says the one place that never happened – was the Ryman. Nancy Jones speaks at unveiling of George Jones statue in Nashville, TN 'George loved the Ryman. It meant everything to him. It's the one place I wish we could have worked every weekend because when he played there, he didn't believe in having a drink. He said, 'It's the Mother Church of Country Music' and he was absolutely thrilled when he would work there.' She said he played his best shows at the Ryman and would be so pleased to have his statue outside that building. 'It makes me feel good and I know it'd make George feel good. He'd say, 'Well, honey, I finally made it.'' Jones' statue becomes the newest addition to the Ryman Icon Walk honoring country music greats. George Jones statue becomes newest addition to Ryman Iconic Walk - Nashville, TN The idea began in 2015 with the first one, at the front of the building, honoring Little Jimmy Dickens. Since then, the Ryman has added four statues, all located on the side of the building: Bill Monroe, Loretta Lynn, Charley Pride, and now, George Jones. Little Jimmy Dickens statue in front of Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN Statue of Bill Monroe on Ryman Icon Walk outside the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN Statue honoring Loretta Lynn on Ryman Icon Walk outside the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN Statue honoring Charley Pride on Ryman Icon Walk outside the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN The one honoring Jones comes as the Opry celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Nancy says she will continue to find new ways to build upon her husband's legacy and eventually plans to open a new George Jones Museum. She hears from fans all the time who still love and adore him, and his music continues to inspire new generations of country music artists. She says there's never been anyone like him. 'They only made one George Jones,' she says. 'Trust me." Throughout his lengthy career, Jones had more than 160 charting singles leaving an indelible mark on country music. Promotional studio portrait of American country singer and songwriter George Jones with an acoustic ... More guitar, circa 1970. (Photo by)
Fox News
27-05-2025
- General
- Fox News
All-Star Panel: A Massive Shift in U.S.-Russia Relations
Just last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Trump were reportedly having a cordial two-hour phone call, while House Republicans were locked in a high-stakes standoff over what was being called a 'big, beautiful bill.' Fast forward to this week, and the political landscape has shifted: President Trump took to Truth Social to proclaim that President Putin has 'gone absolutely crazy' following a blitz attack in Ukraine and House Speaker Mike Johnson is taking a victory lap after successfully rallying Republicans behind a sweeping piece of legislation. To unpack how these developments unfolded so rapidly, South & Hill Strategies co-founder Colin Reed, former State Department Spokeswoman Marie Harf, and FOX News Radio Washington D.C. Correspondent Jared Halpern join Bret on this week's All-Star Panel. Follow Bret on X: @BretBaier
The Irish Sun
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
When is The Grand Ole Opry 100 coming to London's Royal Albert Hall and how can you get tickets?
COUNTRY music fans are incredibly excited over the news that The Grand Ole Opry will be coming to London for its 100th anniversary. The iconic live country music radio broadcast - which is based out of Nashville but famous all around the world - will be broadcasting live from London, England for the first time ever, this September. 9 The Grand Opry will celebrate its 100th year with a historic broadcast live from London's Royal Albert Hall Credit: Opry 9 The Grand Ole Opry is a prestigious country music broadcasting venue in the United States Credit: Alamy 9 The Royal Albert Hall will be rocking on September 26 Credit: Alamy Celebrating its 100th anniversary, the broadcast will be from London's Royal Albert Hall, with a star-studded line up. Country music icon She will perform on the bill with the likes of The beloved country stars, who are all Opry members, will headline its first-ever live international broadcast from London's iconic Royal Albert Hall on Friday, September 26, 2025. HOW TO GET TICKETS FOR OPRY 100 IN LONDON Tickets to the show will go on sale on Friday, May 23 at 10:00 a.m. BST via the Royal Albert Hall's website . Not only will the event have a star-studded line up of country music icons, but Brits will be familiar with one of the hosts. BBC Radio 2 Presenter Colin Reed, the executive chairman of Grand Ole Opry parent company Ryman Hospitality Properties said of the event: "This milestone year for the Grand Ole Opry has arrived at the perfect time as country music enjoys an unprecedented rise in global popularity, especially here in the United Kingdom. Most read in Music "Our first-ever broadcast outside of the United States will celebrate the influential music that has shaped this genre and pay tribute to the unique Opry show format that has entertained music lovers for 100 years. "With the help of some of our most treasured Opry members and some very special guests, we hope to give fans a taste of what goes on every week back in Nashville and inspire them to come visit the epicentre of country music." Maren Morris sets record straight after saying she is leaving 'toxic' country music HONOURING THE OPRY Wagon Wheel singer Darius Rucker said: "Being a member of the Grand Ole Opry is a great honour; it's always felt like the Opry was my home away from home. "To have the opportunity to bring such a big part of my musical roots to Royal Albert Hall is a full-circle moment for me while I work on a project with so many talented songwriters and producers based in London. "I can't think of a better way to honour the Opry's global impact on country music as we share its magic with a new generation of fans." Reacting to the news of the Opry 100 show in London, one person said on Instagram: "Wow!! This is amazing lineup! So hoping to get tickets!!" 9 Carly Pearce is one of the headliners who will perform on the iconic night Credit: Getty 9 Luke Combs is another country crooner set to take to the stage on September 26 Credit: Getty 9 Marty Stuart will also be rocking out with a packed audience Credit: Getty 9 Hitmaker Ashley McBryde - who has collaborated with Carly in the past - will also be taking to the stage Credit: AP 9 Darius Rucker is the final country crooner who is on the star-studded bill Credit: Getty Another said: "The excitement is real! We can't wait to welcome y'all to the UK." While a third penned: "WHAT A CELEBRATION! GRAND OLE OPRY 100." HOW THE OPRY BEGAN The Grand Ole Opry is a legendary country music institution and a live radio broadcast and concert venue in Nashville, Tennessee. The Opry, which is world-renowned, is the world's longest-running radio show, originating in 1925. When it first came to be 100 years ago, it was called the WSM Barn Dance. Read more on the Irish Sun Two years later in 1927 it was renamed the Grand Ole Opry. The iconic venue is known for showcasing both country music legends and contemporary artists, along with bluegrass, Americana, folk, and gospel music. 9 It originally had a different name Credit: Alamy
Fox News
19-05-2025
- Health
- Fox News
The Cover-Up Is Always Worse Than The Crime
On Sunday, former President Biden announced he had been diagnosed with an 'aggressive form' of prostate cancer. The news comes on the heels of the Trump administration's release of audio that suggests the possible weakness of President Biden's cognitive ability during his time in office. Co-founder of South and Hill Strategies, Colin Reed, points out why this news didn't shock Washington or American voters. Dana and Colin discuss the outcome of President Trump's trip to the Middle East and the GOP's effort to pass President Trump's 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' through Congress. They highlight its importance as the vehicle that contains everything the President promised to fix in his 2024 Presidential Campaign. I Wish Someone Had Told Me: Colin discusses the upcoming Republican primary race in Texas, which could become expensive and competitive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Fox News
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Buckle Up, There's More To Come
As President Trump approaches his 100th day in office, this week's events will highlight the Trump administration's early agenda wins while providing insight into their priorities to come. Republican strategist and co-founder of South and Hill Strategies, Colin Reed, and National Reporter and Columnist for the Washington Examiner, Salena Zito, discuss President Trump's accomplishments, recap his early executive orders, and break down the challenges he'll face going forward. They also highlight the President's fast action on border security and efforts to extend the Trump Tax cuts. I Wish Someone Had Told Me: Colin and Salena note what is on the horizon for President Trump's next 100 days. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
