George Jones, one of the most influential and revered voices in country music history, was honored on Wednesday with a bronze statue alongside other country icons, including Jimmy Dickens, Bill Monroe, Loretta Lynn, and Charley Pride.
The statue was sculpted by artist Ben Watts and took approximately one year to complete. Alongside the other legends, the George Jones statue reflects the deep reverence these trailblazers had regarding their ties to the Mother Church of Country Music.
As we mark the 100th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry, it is fitting to recognize George Jones, who helped shape the Opry story that had its inception at the Ryman Auditorium. Given that the Ryman attracts more than 800,000 visitors annually, it seems fitting to incorporate these remarkable statues into the landscape of the Mother Church.
Many fans consider George Jones to have one of the greatest voices ever in country music. He has been a member of the Opry since 1956 and has had a defining presence on the Ryman and Opry stages.
Singer/songwriter Jamey Johnson was on hand to help unveil the statue. As a longtime fan of the legend, Johnson wrote the song about him, “Keeping Up With the Jonesin.” When he got George to accompany him on the track in 2005, they instantly became fast friends. The song hits on all cylinders and reminds us why traditional country music is the greatest genre on earth, and why George Jones’s songs lie at its heart.
Until he got sober later in life (thanks to Nancy Jones), GeorgeJones was renowned for his drinking escapades. However, the one place he wouldn’t drink was the Ryman Auditorium.
George Jones’ wife, Nancy Jones, stated, “That’s the only place that I didn’t have to worry about. I wish he could have worked every weekend because it was the only place he never got drunk. Never. It was like, that’s another church of country music, and you don’t drink there.”
She also vowed to the crowd that she would keep George Jones’s legacy going until “the day I die.” There are plans to reopen the George Jones Museum soon.
Additionally, Ryman Hospitality Properties CEO Colin Reed presented Nancy Jones with an original Les Leverett photo of George Jones playing the Opry.
It is only fitting that George Jones’s statue was added to Ryman’s landscape because he has and will continue to have a lasting impression on Country Music.
For more information about George Jones and Nancy Jones, read my blog post on “Playin‘ Possum.”
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Bethany Bowman is a freelance entertainment writer. You can follow her blog, Instagram, Facebook, and X.
