Jones, George Glenn, 1931–2013, American country music singer and guitarist, b. Saratoga, Tex. Influenced by Roy Acuff and Hank Williams, he began recording in 1954; among his early hits were Why Baby Why (1955) and White Lightning (1959). His heavy drinking led him to miss shows, earning him the nickname No-Show Jones, but he continued score hits with Tender Years (1961), She Thinks I Still Care (1962), The Race Is On (1964), and other songs. Married (1969–75) to Tammy Wynette, he recorded We're Gonna Hold On (1973), Golden Ring (1976), and other duets with her; their hit Two Story House was on the album Together Again (1980). In the late 1970s his drinking and drug use accelerated but his popularity was undiminished; his hits included He Stopped Loving Her Today (1980). Jones, who recorded more than 100 albums, continued to work into the 21st cent.; I Don't Need Your Rocking Chair (1992) was among his later hits.
See his autobiography (1996).
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
See more Encyclopedia articles on: Music: Popular and Jazz: Biographies
