PBS ‘Great Performances’ Special Features Jelly Roll, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt, Jamey Johnson, Wynonna, Justin Moore, Joe Nichols, Randy Travis, Sara Evans, and more
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – George Jones, one of the greatest country singers to have ever lived, was front and center at the 39th annual Midsouth EMMY awards, which took place on Saturday, February 15, 2025, as ‘Still Playin’ Possum: Music & Memories of George Jones’ took home the EMMY award for Special Event Coverage!
As Jones’ music continues to be introduced to a younger generation, many artists who have respected and loved him, including Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Tanya Tucker, Wynonna, Jamey Johnson, Uncle Kracker, Tracy Lawrence, Justin Moore, Joe Nichols, Jelly Roll, Sam Moore, Travis Tritt, Sara Evans, Lorrie Morgan, Gretchen Wilson, Trace Adkins, The Isaacs, Aaron Lewis, Michael Ray, Tracy Byrd, Dillon Carmichael, Blackberry Smoke’s Charlie Starr, T. Graham Brown, John Berry, Billy Yates, Heath Wright of Ricochet, Anita Cochran, Tony Jackson, Lisa Matassa, Tim Watson and more came out to honor his legacy a decade after his passing during the television event that was recorded at the sold-out Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
George Jones ‘Still Playin’ Possum’ – PBS Great Performances [OFFICIAL PREVIEW ]
“I am so happy! This is the first award I have won and to receive it honoring George is just wonderful,” says Nancy Jones, Executive Producer of the television special. “The last time I was on an award show stage, I was at the CMA Awards and George ran to the bathroom just before his name was called as a CMA winner and I had to go up and accept the honor for him. Now, I get to accept this honor for myself and all the great artists that came out to honor George and his music. Whoa, did we just win an EMMY? I am so happy!”
FRONT ROW: John Berry, Joyce Moore, Nancy Jones, Tony Jackson, Jamey Johnson, Wynonna Judd
SECOND ROW: Tim Watson, Travis Tritt, T. Graham Brown, Lisa Matassa, Michael Ray, Tracy Lawrence, Gretchen Wilson, Anita Cochran
BACK ROWS: Kirt Webster, Nic Dugger, Steve Maples, Jeremy Westby, Jeff Richter, Dillon Carmichael, Keith Bilbrey, Sonya Isaacs, Vince Gill, Lily Isaacs, Heath Wright, Becky Isaacs, Ben Isaacs, Billy Yates, Tony Conway, Josh Bleidt, Austin Smith.
Still Playin’ Possum: Music & Memories of George Jones was sponsored by Gus Arrendale and Springer Mountain Farms, Joe From Texas, Breland Homes, Bud Light, Fourth Capital Bank, The Broadway Group, Blaster Chemical, All Access Coach Leasing, Encore Music Group, Coca Cola, Tazikis Mediterranean Café, Sweet Sensational, and Biscuit Belly.
Still Playin’ Possum: Music & Memories of George Jones was Executive Produced by Nancy Jones and Kirk West for No Show Productions, LLC; was Produced by Kirt Webster for Spinning Plates, Inc., Luke Pierce and Ben Haley for WORKS Entertainment, and Greg Hall for TH Entertainment; and Associate Producers were Josh Bleidt, Austin Smith, and Jeremy Westby.
About George Jones:
Born September 12, 1931, Jones is regarded among the most important and influential singers in American popular music history. He was the singer of enduring country music hits including “She Thinks I Still Care,” “The Grand Tour,” “Walk Through This World With Me,” “Tender Years” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” the latter of which is often at the top of industry lists of the greatest country music singles of all time.
Jones was born in Saratoga, Texas, and he played on the streets of Beaumont for tips as a teenager. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps before returning to Texas and recording for the Starday label in Houston, Texas. In 1955, his “Why Baby Why” became his first Top 10 country single, peaking at number four and beginning a remarkable commercial string: Jones would ultimately record more than 160 charting singles, more than any other artist in any format in the history of popular music.
Jones’ first number one hit came in 1959 with “White Lightning,” a Mercury Records single that topped Billboard country charts for five weeks. He moved on to United Artists and then to Musicor, notching hits including “She Thinks I Still Care,” “The Race Is On,” “A Good Year for the Roses” and “Walk Through This World With Me.”
Jones signed with Epic Records in 1971 and worked with producer Billy Sherrill to craft a sound at once elegant and rooted, scoring with “The Grand Tour,” “Bartenders Blues” and many more. Sherrill also produced duets between Jones and his then-wife Tammy Wynette, and in the 1970s they scored top-charting hits including “We’re Gonna Hold On,” “Golden Ring” and “Near You.”
By the time “Golden Ring” and “Near You” hit in 1976, Jones and Wynette were divorced, and Jones was battling personal demons. His solo career cooled until 1980, when he recorded “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” a ballad penned by Curly Putman and Bobby Braddock that helped Jones win Country Music Association prizes for best male vocal and top single. “He Stopped Loving Her Today” revived a flagging career, and Jones won the CMA’s top male vocalist award in 1980 and 1981. He also earned a Grammy for best male country vocal performance.
In 1983, Jones married the former Nancy Ford Sepulvado. The union, he repeatedly said, began his rehabilitation from drugs and alcohol and prolonged his life. He signed with MCA Records in 1990 and began a successful run, and he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1992. His guest vocal on Patty Loveless’ “You Don’t Seem To Miss Me” won a CMA award for top vocal event in 1998, and it became his final Top 20 country hit.
In 1999, Jones nearly died in a car wreck, but he recovered and resumed touring and recording. He remained a force in music until his death, playing hundreds of shows in the new century and collecting the nation’s highest arts award, the Kennedy Center Honor for lifetime achievement, in 2008. In 2013, the Grand Ole Opry member passed away.