Stars Come Out to Tribute George Jones on 95th Birthday

George Jones is gone. But he won’t be forgotten. Not if the country music community has anything to say about it. From the young, to the old, to traditionalists, to more contemporary performers, big names showed up to pay tribute to The Possum on Sunday, September 13th, which was the day after what would have been No Show’s 95th birthday. Holding court at the Nashville Palace near the Grand Ole Opry, many Jones songs were sang, and many stories were told.

Jamey Johnson, legends Moe Bandy, T Graham Brown, and Lorrie Morgan, Lorrie’s son and performer Jesse Keith Whitley, Johnny PayCheck’s son John PayCheck, along with Jake Worthington, Tony Jackson, Eric Lee Beddingfied, Uncle Kracker, Ernest, Cletus T. Judd, Billy Yates, Heath Wright, Lisa Matassa, Bobby Braddock, Belle Frantz, Tim Watson, and Dickey Lee all made George Jones’ widow Nancy Jones proud as they took turns paying tribute to arguably the greatest singer in country music history.

If there’s a premier torchbearer of the old ways, and the old songs in country music, it’s Jamey Johnson. When George Jones sang, “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes,” he must have had a performer like Jake Worthington in mind. Tony Jackson is about the only person who’s ever done songs like “The Grand Tour” any justice beyond George Jones himself.

In front of an all-star band, they all made sure that the songs and legacy of George Jones was paid forward yet another year. Randy Travis was also on scene to show his support, and Gary Gentry was also a guest of honor.

The event sold out almost immediately, even though the lineup was left as a mystery. Proceeds from the show went to Concerts 4 a Cause based in Huntsville, Alabama, as well as The George Jones Scholarship at MTSU.


Photos below by Jason W. Ashcraft of JWA Media. Follow JWA Media on Instagram.