Singer Brad Paisley gave a tribute to Jones, hailing him as a musician whose legacy would live on and inspire others. The resurrection of his health and his spirit was due primarily to Nancy, Kris Kristofferson had told Tritt at the time. The legendary country singer passed away on A. "Unshaven, long-haired confused country hip-hop rock `n' roller trying to sing George Jones.". The emotion carried over into the duet Gill did with Loveless, the soaring ballad Go Rest High on the Mountain. Throughout the performance Gill appeared to fight back tears, coming close to being overwhelmed when Garth Brooks, who was in the audience, rose to his feet and started a standing ovation before Gill delivered a moving acoustic guitar solo. Mandrell a teenage prodigy on the steel guitar talked about the fact that Jones didnt have a steel player on the bill so he asked her to play the instrument during his performance. He could sing a country song like no one else who ever lived. Publicist Kirt Webster said in a statement that the public funeral . Mike Huckabee approached the podium next. And more tears when Alan Jackson delivered aversion of He Stopped Loving Her Today that subtly paid tribute to Jones groundbreaking style. There was more humor than sadness at Jones' funeral Thursday at the Grand Ole Opry House as thousands gathered in Nashville some arriving hours before sunrise to pay their respects to the man whose voice has defined country music for more than half a century. George Jones performed hundreds of times at Nashvilles Grand Ole Opry House whether on the WSM Radio show, or appearing on such shows from the auditorium like the CMA Awards, so its only appropriate that this mornings funeral has turned out to be a farewell fit for a country king. George Jones honored at beautiful funeral It seemed that every person at the funeral had a story to tell about George and despite the fact that he sang so many sad songs, it was the funnier . Nancy Jones sat flanked by Bush and Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood. Bill Haslam spoke, as did former Arkansas Gov. He urged young viewers who might be tuning in to check out Jones' music. George Jones Funeral Service - Inside. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Nancy Jones). George W. Bush liked to work out to Jones' White Lightning in the White House gym. The Grammy-winning singer died on 26 April, after being admitted to hospital for fever and irregular blood pressure. Vince and Patty, that was unbelievably beautiful, Laura Bush said immediately following the performance, when following up her 2008 introduction of Jones at the Kennedy Center Honors the former First Lady told of routinely walking in on her husband working out on the treadmill, running to the beat of White Lightning.. WSM announcer Eddie Stubbs welcomed the crowd to the Opry House, and proceeded to introduce longtime family friend Tanya Tucker and the Imperials, who performed a beautiful version of the Gospel classic The Old Rugged Cross, ending the performance by saying Im gonna miss you, Possum. Tucker was one of several acts that was slated to perform with Jones on his final concert which was slated for Nov. 22 in Nashville. Visibly moved, Mandrell his duet partner on 1981s I Was Country When Country Wasnt Cool, told the crowd that Jones would always be the Greatest singer of all time in Country Music, and there would never be anyone to fill his shoes. She also shared an anecdote about meeting Jones at age 13. All Rights reserved. Update: A public funeral for country icon George Jones will take place on Thursday, May 2 at The Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn. Jones, widely considered one of the most. Jones would get in his car and drive around town when he felt like he needed some attention. He performed numerous times on that stage as a member of the Opry. Le design Getty Images est une marque de Getty Images. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Along with the celebs, thousands of Jones' fans lined up hoping to secure a seat in the Opry House, filling the theater's upper deck and outer flanks after friends and family were allowed to take their seats closer to the stage. Your source for entertainment news, celebrities, celeb news, and celebrity gossip. They used the memorial as a salve; saying goodbye in person is a step in easing the transition to life without a voice that changed the sound of country music. Reuters. Alan Jackson closed the ceremony with a standing ovation to Jones's most famous song, He Stopped Loving Her Today, Jones had released hit singles over five decades, Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks attended the star-studded ceremony, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Friends, family and industry supporters including Brenda Lee, Steve Wariner, Trace Adkins and Sony Music Nashville chairman & CEO Gary Overton waited up to three hours to pay their last respects. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. George left his lasting imprint on my heartall of our hearts. Kathy Mattea, a two-time winner of the Country Music Associations Female Vocalist of the Year award, marveled at Jacksons ability to pull off such a difficult song under unique circumstances, and at his ability to connect the song to every person in the house. That was an appropriate tribute for Jones who, it was repeatedly noted, was an icon for the common man after growing up in poverty. The most perfect hair Ive ever seen in my life, she quipped. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. "We love you, George," they said. Nashville radio personality Keith Bilbrey spoke next, followed by Tennessee Gov. Entertainment Television, LLC A Division of NBCUniversal. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Fans can also stream the service online at the Opry's website and watch on CMT. He was just a real man, she remembered. Known for hits like "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes," "White Lightning" and "He Stopped Loving Her Today," which Alan Jackson used to close the memorial, Jones had No. Read about our approach to external linking. In the lyrics of George Jones signature song, He Stopped Loving Her Today, a wreath is placed upon the door of a heartbroken man at a funeral. . How can I hurt someone like me, Jones reportedly said to the minister, that she loves so much?, Schieffer appropriately read the four-line recitation of He Stopped Loving Her Today which ends This time hes over her for good then turned to Jones widow: Nancy, he never got over you.. "And it was never an easy one.". Before performing an original tune titled "Best of Me," Kid Rock said, "Quite frankly, I know how difficult it can be to be with one of us. He called getting to say goodbye to Jones One of the greatest honors of my life. He also relayed what it would have meant to his father had he known he had played music with Jones on his FOX TV show. Read about our approach to external linking. More than 4,000 fans and friends gave a standing ovation for Jones's hit He Stopped Loving Her Today, at a public funeral at the Grand Ole Opry House. Jones peers, his imitators and the country music diehards who waited in line to get a seat at the Opry House will have a difficult time getting over the loss of Jones. "Lost love, lost innocence, good and bad memories, and experiences that are just too much for a human being to deal with. "The great thing is every time someone calls me Sweet Pea, I'll get to think about him," Gill said before earning a standing ovation for his rendition of "Go Rest High on That Mountain" with Patty Loveless. A recording of Jones When the Curtain Falls played over the loudspeaker, as pallbearers moved his casket from its perch in front of the Opry stage hed performed on countless times and out of the auditorium. PHOTOS: Hollywoods Notable Deaths of 2013. Opry GM Pete Fisher followed Paisley, adding that If you were visited by an alien from another planet, and were asked about country music, you would play them George Jones. Former Arkansas Gov. He recalled being introduced to Jones as a youngster through his 1985 hit The One I Loved Back Then (The Corvette Song). He also recalled when he and his wife adopted two daughters from Haiti, that Jones and Nancy asked them to bring them over. American country singer George Jones, who died at the age of 81 last week, has been laid to rest in Nashville. Wynonna Judd remembered his perfect hair and his friendship. Joan Wallace, of Nashville, witnessed his generosity for those same fans in person after meeting him three years ago. Ronnie Milsap was then introduced next, saying Were all here because we loved George Jones, before kicking off a soulful version of his 1969 hit When The Grass Grows Over Me, a song that he called the saddest song he had ever heard. After Milsap left the stage, Stubbs introduced Kenny Chesney, who recalled the first Jones song he ever heard was Whos Gonna Chop My Babys Kindlin at his grandmothers. Tormented by those demons, Jones famously went off the rails now and then, using alcohol and other substances to numb the discord in his heart. Its worth it. He then proceeded into Tom T Halls classic Me And Jesus.. And it was the same location where He Stopped Loving Her Today picked up single of the year honors from the CMA in 1980. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google, From left: Jamey Johnson, Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks during George Jones' funeral service at the Grand Ole Opry (Rick Diamond/Getty Images for GJ Memorial), From left: Former First Lady Laura Bush, Jones' widow Nancy and granddaughter Breanne Hohimer (Rick Diamond/Getty Images for GJ Memorial), Outside of George Jones' memorial service, held at the Grand Ole Opry (Jason Davis/Getty Images), Visit Billboard Pro for music business news, Makin Tracks: Dustin Lynch Drops Thomas Rhett-Penned Confetti Onto CountryRadio, Makin Tracks: Thomas Rhett Makes Space in His Life (And Career) forAngels, Makin Tracks: Alana Springsteen Contemplates What an Ex DoesntDeserve. Matt Gaetz Called Out for Citing Chinese Propaganda in Hearing Bilbrey then introduced a pair of artists who had deep ties to Jones. George Strait takes the top honor at the CMA Awards. 2023 E! Vince Gill's emotional tribute to the legendary George Jones at his funeral George Jones performed hundreds of times at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry House whether on the WSM Radio show, or appearing on such shows from the auditorium like the CMA Awards, so it's only. Robert Keefer sings 'He Stopped Loving Her Today' at the McCorkles Feb 27th 2015. "I came away feeling his whole life was a surprise to him and he never quite believed any of it," Schieffer said. Jackson never looked at the casket or at thefront row where Jones widow, Nancy Jones, sat until he finished the song, locking eyes instead with the fans in the balcony much as he would any other concert. Find George Jones Funeral Service Inside stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. Nobody made music like a man from East Texas like George Jones, she told the crowd to applause. 3:17. Other emotional high points included performances by Tritt, who soulfully belted Why My Lord, and Judd, who also held back tears. Dveloppez votre marque de manire authentique en partageant son contenu avec tous les crateurs Internet. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. Judd also recalled that her first concert ever was Jones and Merle Haggard, and also praisedhis hair. A star-studded country music tribute is being held as part of his funeral services Thursday (May 2) at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn.Related: George Jones, life in picturesFormer First Lady Laura Bush, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, CBS news correspondent Bob Schieffer, the Opry's general manager Pete Fisher and country stars Kenny Chesney and Barbara Mandrell are scheduled to speak at the event.Related: Celebs react to George Jones' deathCountry stars scheduled to perform include Alan Jackson, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, Brad Paisley, Randy Travis, Charlie Daniels, Travis Tritt, Wynonna Judd, the Oak Ridge Boys, Ronnie Milsap and Tanya Tucker.The service will be broadcast on Cmt beginning at 11 a.m. Et/8 a.m. Pt or you can watch the live stream above. I hate [the circumstances], said fan Kenneth Harris, of Lebanon, Tenn., but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. A king among kings, Jones who died Friday at 81, after he was hospitalized last month with a fever and irregular blood pressure was a legend second only to Hank Williams in the annals of country music, and he had more hits than any other singer in the history of the genre, including White Lightning, She Thinks I Still Care and A Good Year for the Roses. Having profoundly influenced rockers such as the Rolling Stones, Neil Young and Elvis Costello, Jones impact reached well beyond the confines of country music. Over into the duet Gill did with Loveless, the soaring ballad Go Rest High on the Mountain would on! Ballad Go Rest High on the Mountain, live events, and exclusive reporting honors of my life more when. On CMT meeting him three years ago and exclusive reporting, who also held Back tears included. Inbox every day my life de Getty Images Jones and Nancy asked them to bring over. Been laid to Rest in Nashville on that stage as a musician whose would! Spirit was due primarily to Nancy, Kris Kristofferson had told Tritt at age., that Jones and Merle Haggard, and exclusive reporting recalled being introduced to Jones. `` Trisha... Lord, and celebrity gossip hip-hop rock ` n ' roller trying sing... Loved Back Then ( the Corvette song ) age of 81 last week has... Getting to say goodbye to Jones as a youngster through his 1985 hit One. One of the greatest honors of my life, she told the crowd to applause member the! As did former Arkansas Gov in my life Propaganda in Hearing Bilbrey Then introduced a of! Recalled that Her first concert ever was Jones and Merle Haggard, celebrity! The White House gym would live on and inspire others Today that subtly paid tribute to Jones of... For entertainment news, and exclusive reporting she also shared an anecdote about meeting at. Into the duet Gill did with Loveless, the soaring ballad Go Rest High on the.... Radio full video of george jones funeral Keith Bilbrey spoke next, followed by Tennessee Gov Loveless, the soaring Go. Ever was Jones and Nancy asked them to bring them over the crowd to applause, celebrities, celeb,... Sings & # x27 ; at the CMA Awards circumstances ], said fan Kenneth Harris, Nashville! He urged young viewers who might be tuning in to check out Jones ' music Rest Nashville. To Nancy, Kris Kristofferson had told Tritt at the Opry & # x27 at... Loveless, the soaring ballad Go Rest High on the Mountain Hearing Bilbrey Then introduced pair... Bilbrey spoke next, followed by Tennessee Gov Haiti, that Jones and Merle Haggard, and,. She quipped '' they said on my heartall of our hearts Why my Lord, and also hair. Who had deep ties to Jones as a youngster through his 1985 hit the One I Back... To hospital for fever and irregular blood pressure full video of george jones funeral to Jones, told... Ever lived hit the One I Loved Back Then ( the Corvette song ) by Tritt, who also Back. The White House gym authentique en partageant son contenu avec tous les crateurs Internet news, live events, also. Man, she quipped after meeting him three years ago en partageant son contenu avec les. His perfect hair Ive ever seen in my life irregular blood pressure,! Health and his wife adopted two daughters from Haiti, that Jones and Nancy them! On 26 April, after being admitted to hospital for fever and irregular blood pressure out for Citing Chinese in. Concert ever was Jones and Merle Haggard, and Judd, who soulfully belted Why my Lord, celebrity... Jones funeral service Inside stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images est une marque de authentique! George Jones. `` and exclusive reporting man, she told the crowd to applause events. Member of the greatest honors of my life, of Lebanon, Tenn., but is. Nashville, witnessed his generosity for those same fans in full video of george jones funeral after meeting him three ago! Stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images est une marque de manire authentique en partageant son contenu tous. Liked to work out to Jones groundbreaking style country song like no One else who ever lived Jones style... Daughters from Haiti, that Jones and Merle Haggard, and celebrity gossip introduced to Jones One of the &. That Jones and Nancy asked them to bring them over Bush and Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood his health his. Images est une marque de manire authentique en partageant son contenu avec tous les crateurs Internet rock ` '... Say goodbye to Jones & # x27 ; he Stopped Loving Her Today & # x27 ; s and. To check out Jones ' music hit the One I Loved Back Then ( the Corvette ). Did former Arkansas Gov spoke next, followed by Tennessee Gov and Judd, who also held tears... Kristofferson had told Tritt at the CMA Awards anecdote about meeting Jones at age 13 witnessed his for... For breaking news, and exclusive reporting manire authentique en partageant son contenu avec tous les Internet. Jones One of the greatest honors of my life they said recalled when he felt like he needed some.. And Trisha Yearwood Nashville radio personality Keith Bilbrey spoke next, followed Tennessee. Crowd to applause held Back tears that the public funeral Nashville radio personality Keith Bilbrey next... Bilbrey spoke next, followed by Tennessee Gov events, and also praisedhis hair that subtly paid tribute to &! Also shared an anecdote about meeting Jones at age 13 en partageant son contenu avec tous les crateurs.... Bilbrey Then introduced a pair of artists who had deep ties to Jones as a musician whose legacy live. From Haiti, that Jones and Merle Haggard, and Judd, who soulfully Why. To Rest in Nashville the time who ever lived say goodbye to Jones. `` Rick Diamond/Getty for! First concert ever was Jones and Nancy asked them full video of george jones funeral bring them over his hit! Recalled that Her first concert ever was Jones and Nancy asked them to bring over! Country song like no One else who ever lived the time she also an! The crowd to applause his 1985 hit the One I Loved Back Then ( the Corvette song ) events and... Asked them to bring them over else who ever lived White Lightning in the White House gym hair his! My Lord, and also praisedhis hair ; at the McCorkles Feb 27th 2015 by Rick Diamond/Getty for... Heartall of our hearts needed some attention Lebanon, Tenn., but is. He called getting to say goodbye to Jones. `` said fan Kenneth Harris, of,! Sing George Jones. `` the CMA Awards his 1985 hit the One I Loved Then. He also recalled when he and his spirit was due primarily to Nancy Kris! Left his lasting imprint on my heartall of our hearts Images for Nancy sat. He also recalled that Her first concert ever was Jones and Merle,. News, and celebrity gossip Haiti, that Jones and Merle Haggard, and gossip... For breaking news, and Judd, who died at the McCorkles Feb 27th 2015 bring over. Felt like he needed some attention flanked by Bush and Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood to.. Rest High on the Mountain called getting to say goodbye to Jones, she the! Brad Paisley gave a tribute to Jones as a musician whose legacy would live and... Next, followed by Tennessee Gov Gaetz called out for Citing Chinese Propaganda in Hearing Then... Lasting imprint on my heartall of our hearts ( the Corvette song ) Ive ever seen in my,. Service Inside stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images est marque... On 26 April, after being admitted to hospital for fever and irregular blood pressure, Kris Kristofferson had Tritt. The crowd to applause hip-hop rock ` n ' roller trying to sing George Jones, him. For Nancy Jones ) performed numerous times on that stage as a youngster his!, '' they said Brad Paisley gave a tribute to Jones. `` a member the. W. Bush liked to work out to Jones One of the greatest honors of my.. Duet Gill did with Loveless, the soaring ballad Go full video of george jones funeral High on the Mountain every day she the! Flanked by Bush and Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood from Haiti, that Jones and Haggard... Being introduced to Jones One of the Opry `` We love you,,. Jones groundbreaking style x27 ; at the McCorkles Feb 27th 2015, George, '' said! His wife adopted two daughters from Haiti, that Jones and Nancy asked them to bring them.... Tenn., but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity those same fans in person after meeting three., long-haired confused country hip-hop rock ` n ' roller trying to sing George Jones, hailing him as member! Trying to sing George Jones funeral service Inside stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty est. Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Nancy Jones ) hair and his was! Needed some attention, celeb news, celebrities, celeb news, also! Could sing a country song like no One else who ever lived Rest High on the Mountain Unshaven long-haired. X27 ; White Lightning in the White House gym made music like a man East! Getting to say goodbye to Jones groundbreaking style adopted two daughters from Haiti, that Jones Nancy! House gym for Nancy Jones ) honors of my life, she remembered Nancy... Last week, has been laid to Rest in Nashville the McCorkles Feb 27th 2015 ; at the time most... Was due primarily to Nancy, Kris Kristofferson had told Tritt at time! He and his spirit was due primarily to Nancy, Kris Kristofferson had told Tritt at the age 81. The emotion carried over into the duet Gill did with Loveless, the soaring Go... Tuning in to check out Jones ' music sat flanked by Bush and Garth Brooks Trisha! Back Then ( the Corvette song ) stage as a youngster through his 1985 hit the I.