He easily has one of the most recognizable faces in the world of entertainment, his voice defines country music and his life is the essence of a country song. Throughout a long and illustrious career, George Jones has been and is today the embodiment and soul of country music. In his fifty plus years of performing, the man nicknamed "The Possum," has lived out his life in song, never holding back, never staying down when beaten, and never trying to sing something that isn't him. Like a fine saber or sword that has been forged in fire, tempered and sharpened, scarred from battle and finally revered by admirers, George Jones has come to the pinnacle of both life and career.

     The Forge

      Jones' career began when he was just a boy. Armed with a guitar given to him by his father at the age of nine, he was soon playing and singing on the streets of Beaumont, Texas, his hometown, for spending money. His appetite for music piqued, he ran away from home to Jasper, Texas. Singing on a local radio station in a day when such was the norm, teenaged George also met, married and divorced his first wife, Dorothy before he was twenty years old. In late 1951 George enlisted in the Marines, serving a two-year stint during the Korean War. His entire military career was spent in California where the only action he saw was the sometimes rowdy patrons of the local bars he would sing at during his off hours.

      The rough life of a runaway, a failed teenage marriage and nights singing, playing and drinking at bars and honky-tonks all contributed to the fabric of life that would add depth to George's music in the coming years.

     The Tempering

      When a Texas record label owner, Pappy Daily, happened upon Georges act in 1953, he saw the potential in the country boy and escalated Georges career by signing him to a deal that saw his first four singles released by the end of '54, but it wasn't until 1955's "Why, Baby, Why" that he scored a hit, leading to a spot on the "Louisiana Hayride" show that featured a little known singer named Elvis.

For good or bad, alcohol has always been an integral character in his music and life.

      George's earliest sound was a far cry from the resonant nasally twang that would become is signature sound years down the road. The ever-popular Hank Williams, Sr. was George's idol and it reflected in his sound at the time.

      By August of 1956 George had joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and with new label Mercury Records he scored his first number one, "White Lightning" before moving on to United Artists Records. By 1962 George's voice had gravitated to a sound more recognizable to today's fans and he again had a number one hit with "She Thinks I Still Care." Jones continued to enrich his art and skill by singing duets, testing new musical formulas like the Bakersfield sound, and singing as much as he cold - recording over 300 songs in a five-year span.

     The Battle

      As the years passed the hits began to pile up, so too did the alcohol, drugs, fame and all the pressures that came with it. After a second divorce, Jones moved to Nashville where he met Tammy Wynette. On a short trip from Nashville to Ringgold, GA on February 16, 1969, the pair exchanged vows and one of the greatest partnerships in the annals of country music began. Together and separately Jones and Wynette put their love and marriage on display through their music for the whole world to see - and the world couldn't get enough. Beginning with Jones' first solo single for Epic Records, "We Can Make It," it seemed everything about their marriage - good and bad - was recorded in vinyl.

      Battling alcohol, cocaine addictions and a divorce from Wynette, Jones' life continued a downward spiral. The drug abuse caused his weight to plummet to a mere 100 lbs. in 1980, and a string of 54 missed shows earned him the moniker "No-Show Jones." Another duet with Wynette, "Two Story House," set the stage for a comeback and a song that would become the iconic example of country music - the ballad "He Stopped Loving Her Today." That song launched a parade of hits that rivaled his early career.

      His frequent drunken and violent outbursts culminated with a televised police chase and arrest in Nashville. With the help of his future fourth wife, Nancy Sepulvada, the Possum went through detoxification and began to clean up his life.

      The Reverence

     By the end of the '80's country music had begun to morph once again, and though his music was still every bit the solid country of before, radio wanted nothing to do with Jones. Even so, Jones had a new lease on life and with the exception of one setback in 1999 with an alcohol related car crash that nearly killed him Jones has managed to keep his life on an even keel. Instead of a bottle, the silver-haired Possum finds satisfaction in his children and grandchildren. George also shows pride and enthusiasm over his daughter (with Tammy Wynette) Georgette's burgeoning music career and has been known to sit in with her on occasion. He continues to record wonderful pure country albums, and though his schedule has ebbed to only 60-90 shows a year, he continues to tour and always packs the house be-it honky-tonks and nightclubs (like his last appearance in the area at Charlie's in Soddy-Daisy) or auditoriums and arenas. "I Lived To Tell It All," the title of his 1996 autobiography sums George up perfectly.

      Now though, George is the idol, he is the singer today's young country looks to for inspiration and admiration. His audience isn't just the older generation but young as well, kids who have discovered Jones from their parents' albums or found him through the internet.

      With fifty years of hits under his belt it would take a marathon show to include them all but George does try to please so he changes out his song list some from year to year.

            George Jones is the best country music artist of all time, even on his worst day he far surpasses anyone else. George has lived life hard, fast, soft and slow and his music wouldn't be what it is if he hadn't. To experience country music you have to experience George Jones.

- Charlton Wiggins