Randy Travis Tributes George Jones in “Tonight I’m Playing Possum”
The individuals who see the roots of country music as a trip hazard on their way to tapping the American consumer for as much cash as possible through the forum of country music fail to comprehend the weight that a single phrase, the title of a song, or the name of a country music legend can have when those words and names have been baptized in the rich, marinating waters of country music tradition until they hold such levity that their simple utterance can evoke primordial shivers.
Such is the aspect of the name “George Jones,” his nickname “The Possum,” and the many titles of his songs and the lines they contain that enriched our lives so deeply over the years when George was still counted amongst the living. Now that The Possum has moved on to that big Opryhouse in the sky, I dare say his name and the words that he imparted to us with his singular vocal tone hold an even a thicker weight if such a thing is possible.
We like to make fun of how so many country songs are about other country songs, but the reason it is so common is because it works so well at revitalizing those roots that are so deeply intertwined with our personal fabrics and story lines. The songs of George Jones and others offer a soundtrack to our lives that nobody can take away from us. Even if the music disappeared from the face of the earth, it would still play sweetly in our mind’s ear until kingdom come.
It is with this understanding, and with just as much a selfless desire to canonize George Jones as to selfishly attempt to alleviate some of the grief of his passing that Randy Travis, with the help of Joe Nichols, composed this tribute song to the dearly departed Possum.
Not a world beater, but one that rises to the importance of the occasion and imparts the sorrow of the moment, “Tonight I’m Playing Possum” is a more than touching tribute, and through the vehicle of song, exemplifies why the roots of country are so cherished. To the country music onlooker, the phrase “He stopped loving her today” may seem inane or even out-of-place. But to those in the know, it can incite tears.
Written by Keith Gattis.
Two guns up.
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June 19, 2013 @ 9:29 am
Beautiful.
June 19, 2013 @ 9:36 am
Damn I love me some Randy Travis and Joe Nichols ain’t half bad either! God Bless’em! Miss Ya George!
June 19, 2013 @ 9:41 am
A worthy first entry in what im sure in time will become a great catalogue of songs paying tribute to the now late but forever great George Jones and I like the way you quantify the appeal of these kinda songs. Speaking as an amateur singer and picker myself who does as many Hank tribute ditties in my repertoire as actual Hank originals ive often wondered why Country music is pretty much unique in the rather cannibalistic, or perhaps incestuous, way it pays tribute and immortalizes itself. It shouldnt really be healthy but it sure as damn is because lovers of true country music are fighting to hang on to not years, or decades but centuries of beautiful tradition. A tradition that few truly understand and that the many constantly attack. I think it’s a bit like the way, when a great country song is written it’s get’s embraced by the peers in the industry and shared around, celebrated and covered to the point that it too belongs to the ages, the mighty canon that is true country music. I dont know any other genre where this happens. That family atmosphere where the beauty in the song is all that matters.
June 19, 2013 @ 9:47 am
You can never go wrong with Randy Travis. Joe Nichols isn’t to bad either.
June 19, 2013 @ 10:30 am
It was on emusic and I downloaded it. !
June 19, 2013 @ 10:54 am
Randy Travis’ duet with ole Possum, “A Few Ole Country Boys,” was my favorite George Jones duet (with another male voice, of course), and one of Randy’s greatest recordings. It was two unmistakable voices at the top of their game.
June 19, 2013 @ 11:38 am
Seriously, that song is so underrated it’s not even funny.
June 19, 2013 @ 11:50 am
A lovely song, and Randy and Joe sound great together; but what impresses me most about this song is the way it taps into how deeply music can touch us.
June 19, 2013 @ 12:55 pm
great tune and tribute to the greatest of all time.
June 19, 2013 @ 10:24 pm
AWESOME!! No Doubt the best jones Tribute since His Death.
June 20, 2013 @ 7:30 pm
I love this song for two reasons – 1) because it really speaks to the way I felt and I’m sure many people felt the day George Jones died, and 2) hopefully its a good sign that Randy is getting his career back together after his recent fall from grace
June 27, 2013 @ 1:16 pm
What I really love about this song is that it’s a true tribute. You can tell that they actually mean what they’re singing. It’s not some shitty 30 second reminder during the CMT Awards. With all the trouble surrounding him, Randy Travis is a true country artist. One of the few of them left. And although I don’t like all of his songs, Joe Nichols is a very talented singer. I have a lot of respect for him because you can tell that he actually respects country music. He plays so many Merle Haggard covers at his shows, it’s crazy. They are both very genuine people
January 19, 2014 @ 7:08 pm
Your the best Randy Travis. You have the best voice ever . I’ve enjoyed your music since you was at the byu-i rexburg concert. Keep singing lots of fans in Idaho.