George Jones

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George Jones

Label: Bandit Records

Whether the times have favored honky tonk songs or lushly produced “pop” offerings, country legend GEORGE JONES has continued to make his brand of county music, which has produced hits in every decade of the second half of the 20th century. In fact, Jones has had more charted singles than any other artist in any format of popular music. This year marks his 50th anniversary as a recording artist and BANDIT RECORDS will be celebrating this auspicious landmark for the next year with the release of GEORGE JONES – 50 YEARS OF HITS, a 3-CD set to hit stores November 9th.

The compilation features original recordings of one song from each year of his career for a total of 50 songs. For the years 1965 to 1970, liberties had to be taken since the Musicor/Gusto label did not permit use of their masters. For that time frame several rerecords, produced by Billy Sherrill a few years later, were used and a Jones/Alan Jackson duet of “Good Year For The Roses” was included instead of the original 1970 version.

Although Jones released a few singles in 1954, the collection kicks off with his first 1955 self-penned hit, “WHY BABY WHY” and ends with the 2004 rendition of “Amazing Grace” which Billy Sherrill came out of retirement to produce on Jones in 2003. 50 YEARS OF HITS is probably the most comprehensive package ever assembled on Jones in that it features materials from each year of his career and covers all of the labels he was signed to with the exception of Musicor.

Also, highlighting Jones’ anniversary is the Thanksgiving night (11/25/04) telecast of GEORGE JONES – 50 YEARS OF HITS, a SoundStage Special Event which will air on PBS. The star-studded salute features such guests as: Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Wynonna, Martina McBride, Emmylou Harris, Kris Kristofferson, Aaron Neville, Harry Connick Jr, Randy Travis, Lorrie Morgan, Sammy Kershaw, Shelby Lynne, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Trace Adkins, Joe Diffie, Trick Pony, Connie Smith, Tanya Tucker and Uncle Kracker. Each artist interprets one of Jones’ country classics. The artist called, “the greatest living country singer” also performs solo and in duet with several of the guests. Joe Thomas of HD Ready directed the show which was shot in Nashville with ten High Definition Cameras and remixed in 5.1 Surround Sound.

In reflecting on his extraordinary career, Jones said, “ It’s hard to believe that it’s been 50 years. I have to admit I’m a bit shocked by it all. In putting this collection together, I was reminded how great some of these songs are. Then, to hear them performed by so many wonderful artists on the TV show, just thrilled me. It seems like only yesterday, but the years have obviously passed when I look at myself in the mirror.”

Another first for Jones in 2003 was his entry into the food business. Jones introduced a line of breakfast sausage: “George Jones’ Country Style Sausage” which features patties, links, rolls and Microwaveable Sausage & Biscuits. He also has a line of marinade and barbeque sauces under the banner of “George Jones’ Ole Fashioned Marinades & Sauces.” The line has performed so well that less than a year later it has been expanded to include Bacon as well as Marinaded Hamburgers and Steakburgers. George Jones Foods are manufactured and distributed by Williams Sausage of Union City, Tn. In 2004, Jones also introduced WHITE LIGHTING Tennessee Spring Water, which is bottled in Hohenwald, Tn.

Jones is a partner in the Bandit label and, for the first time in his long career, he controls ownership of his own recordings. The experience of not being allowed to “lease” his recordings from Musicor, clearly illustrates the lack of control most artists have over their own recordings. An artist is responsible for all recording and marketing expenses and even though those investments are repaid many, many times over, that artist still does not own the recordings and can be denied use of them.

In 1998, while in the middle of recording his acclaimed “Cold Hard Truth” CD, Jones had a horrific car accident when he lost control of his SUV vehicle and hit a bridge just a mile from his home. It took two hours for emergency medical teams to free him from the car. Doctor feared the worse as Jones had a collapsed lung, torn liver and other internal injuries. Jones remained in critical care on a ventilator to help him breathe for eleven days. He then developed pneumonia, which further exasperated his recovery. The situation looked bleak. Performers from all eras---Little Jimmy Dickens, Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, George Strait, Sammy Kershaw and Billy Ray Cyrus, as well as Jones’ famed producer and friend Billy Sherrill, came to lend their support to Jones’ family.

After recovering for several months, Jones resumed his career with the release of “Cold Hard Truth” and his never-ending touring schedule. But…this was a new George Jones who had finally turned his life around. Not only did he give up liquor, he stopped smoking and drinking coffee. “That accident put the fear of God into me.” Said Jones. “I realized I was getting to the age that I had to quit all that mess and smoking was hurting my lungs and affecting my voice. So, I just quit it all. Within months I was hitting higher notes than I hit before and wishing I had done it years ago.

George Glenn Jones was born in Saratoga, in East Texas. As a kid, he sang for tips on the streets of nearby Beaumont. By age 24, he had been married twice, served in the Marines and was veteran of the Texas honky circuit. On a recording session in 1955 for Starday Records, producer Pappy Dailey suggested he quit singing like his idols, Lefty Frizell, Roy Acuff and Hank Williams, and try singing like George Jones. The result was “Why Baby Why,” his first Top Five hit.

In 1959, Jones had his first #1 record with “White Lightning.” Other Number Ones include “Tender Years” and “She Thinks I Still Care,” which held the #1 spot of six weeks and led to Male Vocalist of the Year awards from the Country Music Association in 1962 and again in 1963. His singles consistently hit the Top 10 and he hit #1 again in 1967 with “Walk Through This World With Me.”

Jones, the top male singer in country music, married country music’s hottest new female artist, Tammy Wynette in 1969. He bought out his contract with Musicor so that he could join Wynette’s label, Epic Records, where he enjoyed a successful 20-year association with producer Billy Sherrill.

He hit #1 in the ‘70s with “The Grand Tour” and ‘The Door.” His marriage to Wynette was stormy but in the recording studio they were the perfect duet partners, hitting #1 with “We’re Gonna Hold On” in 1974 and, coinciding with their 1976 divorce, “Golden Ring” and “Near You.”

Jones kicked off the 1980s with one of the all-time great country records, “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” which won him a Grammy and Single of the Year honors from the CMA in 1980 and again in 1981. He won virtually every award available for that Song, which remained #1 for 18 weeks. His hits continued throughout the decade and his video for “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes” won the CMA’s Video of the Year award in 1986.

In 1992 the CMA recognized Jones’ monumental career with his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. In 1995, Jones and Tammy Wynette were reunited for a new CD entitled “One” and toured together for the first time in twenty years. Thankfully, George and Tammy had found friendship and peace in their relationship before the First Lady of Country Music passed away in 1998.

In 1996, Jones told his life story in the book I LIVED TO TELL IT ALL, which was a #6 Best Seller on The New York Times list.

Jones’ 1999 gold-selling “ Cold Hard Truth” earned him the 1999 Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocalist. When his label, Asylum Records, was consolidated into Warner Bros. Records, Jones opted to leave and join some friends in starting Bandit Records. In 2001 he released “The Rock: Stone Cold Country 2001.” In 2003 Jones reunited with his long time producer Billy Sherrill to release his first Gospel Collection. Previous Gospel releases were isolated tracks that had been recorded over a period of years and eventually compiled into albums.

In 2003, Jones received the 2002 Medal of Arts from President George W. Bush at a White House ceremony. The Medal “honors individuals for the singular distinction of their artistic careers.” The National Medal of Arts is the nations highest honor for artistic excellence.

Jones, at 73, continues to headline more that one hundred concerts a year. He is already working on his next studio album, which will be “songs I wished I had recorded.” “The Possum” is at a great place in his life and, for the first time in his adult life, is straight, sober and having the time of his life.

Country/Bluegrass/Rockabilly

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