Nashville unveils statues honoring George Jones

One of the music’s most distinctive voices, it is on display with songs such as “He Stops Love Her Today” and “Grand Tour,” and many fans and artists consider George Jones to be the greatest country singer of all time.

Now, 12 years after his death, the national legend has a statue of himself outside the Lyman Auditorium.

Friends, family and fans gathered in downtown Nashville to see the statue for the first time and celebrate the national legend who played Lyman many times throughout his career as a member of Grand Ole Opry. Jones became a member of Opley in 1956.

At the unveiling ceremony, Colin Reid, executive chairman of Lyman Hospitality Properties, presented Jones’ wife Nancy with a photo of Jones performing on Lyman Stage decades ago.

Over the past year, Nancy has spent time with sculptor Ben Watts, sharing her husband’s artifacts, clothing and photos as Watts worked to create statues. She was excited to see the final result.

“The statue is beautiful,” she said. “It’s a wedding ring, the ring he’s always worn, it’s just beautiful.”

It also captures the way Jones dressed, his stage stance, and even his favorite guitar straps.

Famous for a string of country hits, Jones was equally famous for getting into trouble due to drug and alcohol problems. The man known as “Possum” ended with the second nickname “No Show Jones” after he didn’t show his concert multiple times. With the help of Nancy, things improved for Jones later.

Fellow musician and best friend Jamie John paid tribute to Jones with several stories about his “attitude.”

“Everyone heard about the lawn mower incident,” Johnson said, “But the man really drove the lawn mower to eight miles to get to the bar. At the time, that didn’t look like a by-resistance to him.

He also told the story of Jones and Buck Owens toured together and alternating their shows. One night, Jones opened, Owens closed, and the next night they reversed the order. It worked well until they were ready to do a show near Jones’ hometown in the evening and Owens was due to close. Jones, hoping for many people who knew he was there, asked him to switch to Owens and close “him” that night. Owens refused.

“So George went on stage that night and did something he couldn’t back,” Johnson explained. “George knew all the songs Buck Owens was going to do that night. They shared the band, so George did the entire set of Buck before Buck began. When George left the stage, he looked at Buck and said, “Follow it.”

Despite Jones’ reputation for bad behavior, Nancy says that one place that never happened was Lyman.

“George loved Lyman, and that meant everything to him. When he played there he didn’t believe he had a drink, so I wish we could work every weekend.

She said he was very pleased that he played his best show at Lyman and had a statue of him outside the building.

“It makes me feel better and I know George feels better. He says, ‘Well, honey, I’ve finally made it.’ ”

The Jones statue will be the latest addition to Lyman’s icon walk honoring country music greats.

The idea began in 2015 with the first one in front of a building honoring Little Jimmy Dickens. Since then, Lyman has added four statues. Everything is on the side of the building. Bill Monroe, Loretta Lynn, Charlie Pride and now George Jones.

Those celebrating Jones will come when Opry celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.

Nancy says she will continue to find new ways to build on her husband’s legacy and will eventually open a new George Jones Museum.

She has always heard from fans who love and adore him, and his music continues to inspire a new generation of country music artists. She says there was no one like him.

“They made just one George Jones,” she says. “Believe me.”

Throughout his long career, Jones had over 160 chart singles, leaving an indelible mark in country music.