By most accounts, George Jones is the finest vocalist in the recorded history of country music. Initially, he was a hardcore honky tonker in the tradition of Hank Williams, but over the course of his career he developed an affecting, nuanced ballad style. In the course of his career, he never left the top of the country charts, even as he suffered innumerable personal and professional difficulties. Only Eddy Arnold had more Top Ten hits, and Jones always stayed closer to the roots of hardcore country. Jones was born and raised in east Texas, near the city of Beaumont. At an early age, he displayed an affection for music. He enjoyed the gospel he heard in church and on the family's Carter Family records, but he truly became fascinated with country music when his family bought a radio when he was seven. When he was nine, his father bought him his first guitar. Soon, his father had Jones playing and singing on the streets on Beaumont, earning spare change. At 16, he ran away to Jasper, TX, where he sang at a local radio station. Jones married Dorothy, his first wife, in 1950 when he was 19 years old. The marriage collapsed within a year and he enlisted in the Marines at the end of 1951. Though the U.S. was at war with Korea, Jones never served overseas ??? he was stationed at a military camp in California, where he kept singing in bars. After he was discharged, Jones immediately began performing again. In 1953, Jones was discovered by record producer Pappy Daily, who was also the co-owner of Star
1 | A Picture Of Me (Without You) | Essential George Jones, The |
2 | If Drinkin' Don't Kill Me (Her Memory Will) | Essential George Jones, The |
3 | I'm A One Woman Man | Essential George Jones, The |
4 | Nothing Ever Hurt Me (Half As Bad As Losing You) | Essential George Jones, The |
5 | What My Woman Can't Do | Essential George Jones, The |
6 | Loving You Could Never Be Better | Essential George Jones, The |
7 | The Grand Tour | Essential George Jones, The |
8 | Stand On My Own Two Knees | Essential George Jones, The |
9 | Still Doin' Time | Essential George Jones, The |
10 | I Just Don't Give A Damn | Essential George Jones, The |
11 | He Stopped Loving Her Today | The Essential George Jones: The Spirit of Country Disc 2 |
12 | The Battle | Essential George Jones, The |
13 | I Always Get Lucky With You | Essential George Jones, The |
14 | He Stopped Loving Her Today | George Jones |
15 | We Can Make It | Essential George Jones, The |
16 | Take Me | Essential George Jones, The |
17 | You've Still Got A Place In My Heart | Essential George Jones, The |
18 | Memories Of Us | Essential George Jones, The |
19 | We Loved It Away | Essential George Jones, The |
20 | The Right Left Hand | Essential George Jones, The |