When I heard the news that George Jones had died last friday morning, It was as if Mike Tyson had gut punched me. I have many fond memories of my mom and my old man listening to Possum. On the morning of Friday April 26, 2013, many of those memories came flooding back. Yes, I cried. Because George Jones died? Sure. (Let it be known, I also remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I heard Waylon and Cash died.) Also, because of all those happy memories. I spent all of that Friday with the memory of my mother and old man weighing heavy on me. So, after work I headed to the liqour store. I bought my usual Friday purchases and something special, Wild Irish Rose. That night and into the daybreaking hours of Saturday I honky tonked, sang and cried too Lord knows how many Jones songs.
When I woke up Saturday (without a hangover) the chorus of – Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes – was my first thought of the day. In my honest opinion, George Jones was the greatest country music singer ever. So, right there I answered the question of the chorus in my head. No one can fill the shoes of those mentioned in George’s song and no one can fill George Jones shoes.
Justin Wells is the frontman of the Lexington based band Fifth On The Floor. His favorite country music singer is, you guessed it. Mr. George Jones. Today I saw a video clip from Moonrunners Fest recorded the day after Jones passed away. Although, it is only a short clip of Justin performing -Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes- in tribute to his hero but you can feel the performance. I have been lucky enough to experience a Fifth On The Floor show and it’s one of the best live shows I have ever seen.
It’s bands like Fifth On The Floor, The Dallas Moore Band Joey Allcorn that will ensure REAL music will not die. Musicians like this who write their own songs and play/sing their hearts out to anyone willing to listen will continue to go on. If you say that country music is dead now that George Jones has passed away, you have never heard the lovely Rachel Brooke sing one single note. If you say that country music is dead, you have never been to a T Junior show. I say, the greatest voice in country music history has died but not country music.
George Jones will be laid to rest and the world will watch either on television or online. If your one of lucky few who will fill the Opry for the funeral, you are blessed. Folks will cry and all will celebrate the great music Possum is leaving behind.
Music Row and the Nasville suits will be out in all the self rightous glory, praising Jones and his music. I say shame on you Nashville. You always push the old ones to the side and forget about them untill it’s time for you to cash in on their deaths. Why is that? Why forget the ones that made country music great? Last night I watched the Stagecoach festival I had recorded. There was several great performances, especially Dwight Yoakam. What disgusted me was the headliner for that evening, Dierks Bentley( not sure if spelling of his name is right and really don’t care). Here comes this so called superstar, playing and a singing. You know what I noticed? He forgot to plug a cable into his guitar and also his voice sounded perfect even when he was jumping up and down. Hmmm.
If you have read this far, I thank you. It’s not often I put the ramblings in my head on paper(or keyboard). So, in closing I leave you with these videos.
