Big George Jones “Still Playin’ Possum” Concert Announced
April 26th, 2023 will be the 10th Anniversary of the death of George Jones, and on the day before—Tuesday April 25th—artists and fans will be congregating in Huntsville, Alabama at the Propst Arena to remember George Jones in a one night only event billed as “Still Playin’ Possum: Music and Memories of George Jones.”
Scheduled to perform are Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Jamey Johnson, Justin Moore, Lorrie Morgan, Mark Chesnutt, Michael Ray, Sam Moore, Tanya Tucker, Trace Adkins, Tracy Byrd and Tracy Lawrence, with more names to be announced. The event will also be taped by a professional production crew for a future broadcast.
“George Jones died on April 26, 2013, in Nashville, Tennessee. It will be ten years since he left us with just his songs, so to produce this night of music to honor his legacy is perfectly fitting,” says George’s widow Nancy Jones. “George made history and influenced artists from all genres and many of them will celebrate with us in April. The night will bring lots of emotion for the fans, our family, and anyone who just loved Country Music.”
This will be the first major George Jones event since the closing down of the George Jones museum, venue, and restaurant in Nashville in December of 2021, and the selling of his naming/likeness rights in 2016. It shows that despite the financial adversities that have plagued the effort to keep George’s memory alive, they continue to do their best. The announcement also comes as Showtime is airing the limited series George & Tammy about the life and marriage of George Jones and Tammy Wynette.
Tickets will start at $25.00, with a special VIP upgrade of $200.00 that will include dinner the night before with Nancy Jones. Tickets officially go on sale Thursday, December 22nd at 10:00 am Central. The presale has already started at Ticketbastard, use promo code POSSUM.
December 20, 2022 @ 7:17 pm
I wouldn’t be surprised if they also did a big tribute concert to honor Merle Haggard on the 10th anniversary of his death a few years from now in April of 2026. If they’re doing one to honor Jones on the 10th anniversary of his death in April of 2013 this year in April of 2023, then I can definitely see the same happening without a doubt for The Hag on the 10th anniversary of his death in April of 2016 a few years from now in April of 2026.
What do you think?.
December 20, 2022 @ 7:37 pm
Fairground circuit
December 20, 2022 @ 8:07 pm
Speaking of Brad Paisley, what is going on in his camp? Hasn’t put an album out in going on six years now and really don’t hear from him much anymore. Have you heard anything Trigger?
December 20, 2022 @ 8:28 pm
I think it’s just a classic case of being put out to pasture by the industry. He’s one of the many victims of the Bro-Country era. I saw that he was playing Billy Bob’s, so I guess they’re no longer booking arenas for him. I hope he uses this moment to go back to his roots and do something cool.
December 24, 2022 @ 9:04 am
After looking back a bit (and referencing Trigger’s amazing Google SEO), Brad got hammered by the “Accidental Racist” controversy. Further, you can look at Blake Shelton and Brad’s careers as parallels; if Blake didn’t have The Voice, he would have sunk into obscurity like Brad. One other issue may be Brad’s catalog, which is full of joke/gimmick/time-sensitive songs; while those songs do take talent to write and sing, they do not get airplay like more run-of-the-mill stuff (see the limited public memory of many songs by Tom T. Hall, Ray Stevens, and Roger Miller; joke songs just have a shelf life). Last, which is more subjective, Brad just doesn’t come across as likeable; even watching his insurance ads with Peyton Manning, he plays the straight man to a point where he seems to hate being there. At least Blake seems to enjoy himself and not take himself too seriously… as long as he’s not berating country legends.
December 21, 2022 @ 6:08 am
Brad recently scored his 20th #1 single on country radio in February with “Freedom Was a Highway”, a duet with Jimmie Allen. As for a new album, Brad said in March to CMT, “I’ve written and done things, and I’ve taken my time. I just haven’t released any of it yet. But for now, it’s been nice to sort of sit on what I’m working on, and try to figure out with some clarity what’s next.”
December 21, 2022 @ 8:39 am
maybe just enjoying some family time since his kids are in that “need their dad” stage? Brad just didn’t make a big deal about taking a “break” like almost every other artist does.
December 21, 2022 @ 8:40 am
The stuff he put out in the early to mid 00’s was stellar. The music and lyrics were top notch. I saw him in concert about 5 years ago and he was good, but personally I could have done without the all the production and videos on the big screen. Cut the superfluous BS and get to the music.
December 21, 2022 @ 10:18 am
I found “Part II” on cassette when I was going through some Rubbermaid totes this summer.
December 21, 2022 @ 11:11 am
I don’t know why his legacy isn’t bigger. On those old albums he had the best lyrics in country at the time, and that crazy hellecaster John Jorgonson style guitar playing, and Mike Johnson / Randle Currie on steel guitar all over those albums. He was so freakin’ original. He’s still respected in the guitar community – I saw on Instagram that he was at a show with Billy Gibbons at a blues club in TX recently.
December 21, 2022 @ 1:47 am
Get Michael Ray off a Jones tribute and that failed rapper Adkins
December 21, 2022 @ 2:17 am
I would hope Georgette Jones would be one of the ‘to be announced’ artist’s included.
December 21, 2022 @ 8:34 am
Well, Jersey
Do you suppose Georgette and Nancy get along?
Overall, not a bad lineup. There are a few others that would work well for this, I’m thinking Josh Turner for one, Mo Pitney as another.
Hey, you think ol Isbell might want to join in? ????
( laugh people, that was a joke)
December 21, 2022 @ 7:11 am
Hope to see Alan Jackson added to the line up as well, despite his illness of late… such an advocate and friend of the ‘Possum from way back and early on…
December 21, 2022 @ 7:22 am
Nancy must be getting short on cash.
December 21, 2022 @ 8:44 am
that lineup is a joke – mostly made up of a bunch of has-beens who are just desperate for the exposure and to be tied to one of the greats. clearly she couldn’t get any current stars to commit this early, they want to wait and see if this falls through like the Museum did. also, who would want to have dinner with Nancy Jones the night before? all George’s kids should show up and make it awkward for her.
December 21, 2022 @ 9:47 am
Mumarauder,
I don’t know who of the current group of “stars” you think would be a good fit. Maybe Cody Jinks?
Very doubtful that the current SCM faves Childers or Zach Bryan or TT are even in the slightest bit influenced by Jones. Childers sites Ricky Skaggs as a primary influence, Zach sites TT and Childers as his influences, and I’m not really sure that that Evan Felker ever listened to Jones except in passing. I suppose Stapleton could fit the bill, but I’m guessing his cost would be at a premium. I think the 90s folks, or as you call them ” has beens” are a reasonable choice. They are all heavily informed and influenced by Jones. And maybe there’s the possibility that you personally are not a Jones fan….
December 21, 2022 @ 9:51 am
Let’s also appreciate that some of these “has been’s” are on the upswing as 90s country is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. There are now multiple festivals planning their lineups around these types of artists.
If you were looking for artist from the new crop of musicians to pay tribute here, I would start with Logan Ledger, who is the closest singer to George we’ve got. Wouldn’t mind seeing those kinds of names added for early on to give the audience something to discover.
December 21, 2022 @ 1:42 pm
i understand and don’t completely disagree with the 90s resurgence, but really, this whole thing is just a money grab by Nancy, right? can anyone list other “death anniversary concerts” for other stars? did they do one for Cash? Ernest Tubb? Bill Monroe? Waylon Jennings? legit question, not trying to be sarcastic (anymore…).
December 22, 2022 @ 9:38 am
There was a pretty famous one for Elvis in the uk ten years after his death that led to the pet shop boys covering you were always on my mind
December 23, 2022 @ 12:17 pm
I think it’s much better to book some true country artist like they have announced than the artist of today who aren’t the least bit country. Thank Goodness they didn’t schedule artist like Jelley Role. He shouldn’t be within 10 miles of a country venue.
December 21, 2022 @ 1:26 pm
When you order a tribute concert off of Wish.
December 22, 2022 @ 8:22 pm
I would give you nine thumbs up if I could!
December 22, 2022 @ 9:00 am
If no one shows up on a lawnmower with a six pack of beer I’ll be extremely disappointed
December 23, 2022 @ 9:15 am
The perfect Jones tribute would be for all the performers to get drunk and not show up.