Did You Know...

George was born in September of 1931, in Saratoga Texas. As a kid, due to his father's urging, he sang for tips on the streets in the city of Beaumont. He became an official member of the music industry in the 40s when he worked on Texas radio stations, but his career really took off after his first debut recording with Starday Records, 'Why Baby Why,' in 1955. It was said that George sang much like Lefty Frizell, Roy Acuff, and Hank Williams. In 1957 he decided to sign with Mercury Records and he produced his first number 1 hit record, White Lightening, in 1957. The album also sparked other hit singles including 'Tender Years,' which hit number one and 'Window Up Above,' which hit number one for six weeks and also won the Make Vocalist of the Year Award from CMA in 1962 and 1963.

Jones, after two previous marriages, married the famous country singer Tammy Wynette in 1969, but they too divorced in 1975. While they were together, they sang a number of duets, including 'Let's Build a World Together' and 'Golden Ring.' Over the years, George has also teamed up with Johnny Paycheck, Merle Haggard, Gene Pitney, Margie Singleton, and Melba Montgomery.

Billy Sherril, producer at Epic, found fresh talent in Jones' voice and together they made many successful records, including his 1980, He Stopped loving Her Today. The album was hit #1 on the charts and Jones won a Grammy and Song of the Year from CMA: this record is considered to be one of the best country albums of all time.