George Jones

Who Was George Jones?

George Jones, a legendary figure in country music, rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most celebrated artists in the genre’s history. Born into poverty, Jones started his career singing on street corners to support his family. After serving a brief stint in the military, he fully committed to his musical ambitions. His breakthrough came in 1955 when he scored his first country Top Ten hit with “Why Baby Why.” From that point, Jones rarely strayed from the charts, delivering numerous hit singles both as a solo artist and in duet performances with country stars, including his third wife, Tammy Wynette. Despite personal struggles, including battles with alcohol and drug abuse, Jones’s musical contributions were immense, earning him a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012, among countless other honors.

Early Years

George Glenn Jones was born on September 12, 1931, in Saratoga, Texas, into a large family of eight children. His father, an alcoholic, would sometimes become violent, a reality Jones reflected on in his autobiography, I Lived to Tell It All. “We were our daddy’s loved ones when he was sober, his prisoners when he was drunk,” Jones wrote. Despite these difficulties, music was a constant solace for the family, who frequently sang hymns together and enjoyed listening to the Carter Family and other country artists on the radio.

At age nine, Jones’s father bought him his first guitar, and he quickly demonstrated a natural talent. By his early teens, he was performing on the streets to help support his family and later began playing in the bars of Beaumont, Texas. At 16, he moved to Jasper, Texas, where he worked at a local radio station and deepened his admiration for Hank Williams. Jones returned to Beaumont a few years later, marrying Dorothy Bonvillion in 1950. Although the couple had a daughter, Susan, their marriage was short-lived, with Jones’s temper and love for drinking—traits inherited from his father—contributing to the breakup.

Early Career and Breakthroughs

After his divorce, George Jones joined the U.S. Marines during the Korean War but was never sent overseas. Instead, he was stationed in San Jose, California, where he continued to pursue his passion for music, performing in local bars. Upon completing his military service in 1953, Jones was discovered by producer Pappy Daily, co-owner of Starday Records. Daily quickly signed Jones to a recording contract, launching a partnership that would span many years.

In 1954, Jones married Shirley Ann Corley, and they had two sons, Jeffrey and Brian. However, his musical career started slowly, with his first four singles gaining little attention. Jones’ fortunes turned in 1955 when his single “Why Baby Why” reached No. 4 on the country charts. He followed this success with several hits, including “What Am I Worth” and “Just One More” in 1956, and “Don’t Stop the Music” in 1957, all of which entered the country Top 10. By the end of the decade, Jones achieved his first No. 1 single with the humorous “White Lightning,” which even crossed over to the pop charts, hitting No. 73.

Crown Prince of Country Music

In the early 1960s, Jones solidified his status as a leading figure in country music with songs about heartbreak. His singles “Window Up Above” (1960) and “Tender Years” (1961) were chart successes, with the latter reaching No. 1. In 1962, Jones released “She Thinks I Still Care,” which became one of his signature songs, again topping the charts. He also began a fruitful collaboration with Melba Montgomery, producing the album What’s in Our Heart in 1963, which reached No. 3 on the charts.

Throughout the mid-1960s, Jones continued to find solo success with hits like “The Race Is On” (No. 3 in 1964) and “Love Bug” (No. 6 in 1965). His solo career flourished alongside collaborations, such as his work with Gene Pitney on the 1969 album I’ll Share My World with You, which featured the No. 2 hit of the same name.

Personal Struggles and Relationship with Tammy Wynette

Jones’s personal life was marred by his ongoing battles with substance abuse, which led to the breakdown of his second marriage to Shirley Ann Corley. After meeting fellow country star Tammy Wynette, Jones divorced Shirley in 1968 and married Wynette the following year. Their marriage was not only a romantic union but also a musical partnership. They released several successful duets, including “The Ceremony” and “Take Me,” both of which reached the Top 10. During this period, Jones parted ways with Pappy Daily and began working with Billy Sherrill, Wynette’s producer, who helped polish Jones’ sound.

However, behind their professional success, Jones and Wynette’s marriage was fraught with tension due to Jones’s ongoing struggles with drug and alcohol abuse. Their relationship deteriorated to the point that Wynette filed for divorce in 1973. Despite attempts to reconcile, their marriage ultimately ended in 1975, though they continued to collaborate musically, producing hits like “Golden Ring” and “Near You.”

The Battle with Addiction and Resurgence

By the mid-1970s, Jones’s health and career were in serious decline due to his heavy drug and alcohol use. He became increasingly unreliable, missing recording sessions and concerts. Yet, despite these personal struggles, Jones continued to produce memorable music. In 1980, he made a triumphant return to the top of the charts with “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” a song that became a defining hit of his career. The same year, he released I Am What I Am, which became his best-selling album to that point.

Jones eventually sought help, crediting his third wife, Nancy Sepulvado, whom he married in 1983, for helping him overcome his addictions. His later career saw a steady stream of successful collaborations, duets, and solo hits, including the 1985 title track “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes” (No. 3) and his final Top 10 country hit, “I’m a One Woman Man,” in 1989.

Legacy and Final Years

In the 1990s, Jones found himself somewhat overshadowed by a new generation of country stars like Garth Brooks and Tim McGraw. However, he continued to release well-received albums and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1992. His 1996 autobiography, I Lived to Tell It All, offered a candid look at his turbulent life and career.

Jones continued recording and performing into the 2000s, releasing Burn Your Playhouse Down in 2008, a collection of duets featuring stars like Dolly Parton and Keith Richards. He received numerous accolades in his later years, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.

Jones passed away on April 26, 2013, at the age of 81. Widely regarded as one of the greatest country music singers of all time, Jones’s ability to convey deep emotion through his powerful voice left an indelible mark on the genre. As country star Waylon Jennings once said, “If we could sound the way we wanted, we’d all sound like George Jones.”