George Jones' Relationship With Beer Explored

George Jones, arguably the best voice in the history of country music, had a well-documented battle with alcohol. His struggles with addiction became part of the No Show Jones mythology, earning him the nickname after he missed over 50 shows in one year. Jones' drinking problem was so severe that it threatened his life and career. In 1999, a car crash, caused by Jones driving under the influence, served as a turning point. After this incident, Jones gave up drinking for good.

George Jones' troubled childhood

George Jones's childhood was marked by tragedy and trauma, which would go on to shape his life and career.

Born in Saratoga, Texas, in 1931, Jones was one of eight children. His father, George Washington Jones, worked in a shipyard and played the harmonica and guitar. His mother, Clara, played the piano in the Pentecostal Church on Sundays. However, tragedy struck the family before Jones was born when his older sister, Ethel, passed away. This loss took a toll on the family, and his father turned to heavy drinking to cope.

Jones's father's drinking led to physical and emotional abuse, with Jones bearing the brunt of it. In his autobiography, "I Lived To Tell It All," Jones recalled that his father would often come home drunk in the middle of the night with his friends and force his son to sing for them, threatening him with a beating if he refused. This traumatic experience stayed with Jones throughout his life, and he admitted that he remained ambivalent and resentful towards his father until the day he died.

Jones's mother, Clara, tried to provide a stable influence, raising him and his siblings in the Baptist faith. She also played the piano in church, where Jones first learned to sing. Despite his mother's influence, the early years of his life were marked by his father's volatile behaviour and the loss of his sister.

Jones left home at the age of 16 and started singing as a busker on the streets. He soon found work with local radio stations in Texas, but his childhood experiences had already left a deep and lasting impact.

His bond with fellow country stars

George Jones was a country singer's singer. Everyone in Nashville and beyond loved the man they called the Possum. Jones was a supporter of young country singers, particularly those who honoured the genre's roots. He was also a friend to artists who were just starting out in the business.

Jones's most famous bond was with Tammy Wynette, his wife of five years. Although the couple had their ups and downs, they remained friends throughout their lives. They recorded the album One together in 1995, 20 years after their divorce. Jones also recorded duet albums with Gene Pitney and his former bass player Johnny Paycheck.

Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash were longtime friends of the singer. Jennings and Cash even came to Jones' aid when he was bankrupt and living in his car. Jones was also close friends with Vince Gill, who he nicknamed "Sweet Pea".

Jones was a huge fan of fellow country star Alan Jackson, and the two became close friends. Jackson was one of many stars to perform at Jones' funeral in 2013.

Merle Haggard said it was one of the greatest compliments of his life when George Jones called him his favourite country singer. The two became close friends, even releasing two duet albums, A Taste of Yesterday's Wine and Kickin' Out the Footlights...Again.

Jones was also a supporter of the younger generation of country singers, particularly those who honoured the genre's roots. In 1992, he teamed up with Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Clint Black and more to record "I Don't Need Your Rockin' Chair".

His kindness and generosity

George Jones was known for his kindness and generosity, despite his troubled childhood and personal struggles. Although he grew up in poverty, having money did not mean much to him. He was known to be frivolous with his spending, but he enjoyed giving away his riches to friends and strangers who were less fortunate. After his death, it was revealed that Jones had purchased 30 cemetery plots in Nashville's Woodlawn Cemetery for artists who had died without the money to cover funeral expenses.

Jones was also a friend to artists who were just starting out in the business. At his funeral, fellow country legend Barbara Mandrell remembered how Jones had encouraged her when she was a nervous and scared 13-year-old singer. He was always willing to help up-and-coming artists and promote younger country singers that he felt were as passionate about the music as he was. He once said, "I thank God for it because it makes me a living. But I sing because I love it, not because of the dollar signs."

Jones was also known for his sense of humour and self-deprecating attitude, even when it came to his dire financial standing and bad reputation due to his struggles with alcoholism. He poked fun at himself and his drinking problem in his music, and he was known to be friendly, down-to-earth, and shy when sober. Despite his personal demons, Jones proved that it's never too late to change your life and that kindness and generosity can make a lasting impact on those around you.

His commitment to traditional country music

George Jones was committed to traditional country music, and he was not afraid to speak out against the direction the genre was taking in his later years. In a 1998 interview, Jones lamented the lack of airtime for traditional country music, despite there being "hundreds of thousands" of fans who wanted to hear it. He also criticised the notion that his music was "too country", asking "What do they think country is?".

Jones was influenced by artists such as Hank Williams, Roy Acuff, and Lefty Frizzell, and he started his career in the 1950s with a traditional country sound. In the 1960s, his style began to mellow, but he continued to record hits such as "She Thinks I Still Care", "The Race Is On", and "A Good Year for the Roses".

In the 1970s, Jones paired with Billy Sherrill at Epic Records, which came as a surprise to many as Sherrill was known for his smooth amalgamation of pop and country music. Despite this, Jones continued to produce traditional country hits, including "The Grand Tour" and "The Door".

Jones was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1992, and he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement award in 2012. He tirelessly defended the integrity of country music, and he went out of his way to promote younger country singers who were as passionate about traditional country as he was.

His final years and death

George Jones' final years were marked by declining health and a farewell tour. In 2012, Jones was hospitalized twice for an upper respiratory infection. Despite his ailing health, Jones announced his final tour, "The Grand Tour," on August 14, 2012. The tour was scheduled to consist of 60 dates, beginning in 2012 and concluding in late 2013 with a massive celebration in Nashville dubbed "Playin' Possum, The Final No Show!"!

Jones' final tour was an emotional affair, with attendees cherishing the opportunity to see the legendary performer one last time. However, Jones' health issues were evident during the performances. He spent much of the shows sitting in a chair, gasping for air, and struggling to sing. Many fans were concerned about the toll that touring was taking on Jones' health, but according to his wife, Nancy, he was determined to continue performing.

On April 6, 2013, Jones performed in Knoxville, Tennessee, marking the 50th show of his farewell tour. Despite his weakened state, Jones gave it his all, even standing up from his chair to sing what is considered by many to be the greatest country song of all time, "He Stopped Loving Her Today." However, he had to sit back down about two minutes into the song, clearly winded and struggling.

On April 18, 2013, Jones was hospitalized again, this time for a fever and irregular blood pressure. He spent the next six days in intensive care before passing away on April 26, 2013, at the age of 81. Jones' final words, as recalled by his wife Nancy, were: "Well, hello there. I've been looking for you. My name's George Jones." Nancy believed that he was talking to God and that he had gone to heaven.

Jones' funeral was held on May 2, 2013, and was attended by former First Lady Laura Bush, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, news personality Bob Schieffer, and several country music stars, who provided musical tributes. Jones was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Nashville, and his death made headlines around the world. Many country music stations abandoned their regular programming to play his songs throughout the day.

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