The music community reacts to the death of George Jones

By Randy Lewis

April 26, 2013 12 AM PT

Artists as diverse as Kelly Clarkson, Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton and Alan Jackson are among those speaking out about the death today of celebrated singer George Jones. “It’s a sad day for country music,” said Loretta Lynn, while Paisley noted that Jones’ hard-living life was evidence that “mistakes, missteps, and bad choices are not the end of the world.”

Jones, 81, died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. He had been suffering from a fever and irregular blood pressure.

The baritone from East Texas astonished and delighted fans who had seen him struggle with alcohol and drug abuse, multiple marriages and divorces, lawsuits over his erratic behavior and brushes with death in motor vehicle accidents.

PHOTOS: George Jones’ career highlights

“He was a wonderful man and was my all-time favorite country singer. We recorded together, even performed shows together back in the ‘50s. He will surely be missed,” said banjo luminary Dr. Ralph Stanley.

Jones, whose nickname was the Possum, won two Grammy Awards, was a five-time Academy of Country Music Awards winner and a seven-time honoree from the Country Music Assn. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1992. In 2008, he was given a lifetime achievement award as part of the annual Kennedy Center Honor in Washington, D.C.

Below are some reactions from the music community on Jones’ passing.

George Jones: Career in Photos

“The world has lost the greatest country singer of all time. Amen.” -- Merle Haggard

“My heart is absolutely broken. George Jones was my all time favorite singer and one of my favorite people in the world. My heart goes out to Nancy and the rest of his family.” -- Dolly Parton

“It’s a sad day for country music and a great loss for those of us who knew him. I was blessed to call George my friend. He was one of the best country singers there ever was. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Nancy, and all of his family. It’s a sad, sad day.” -- Loretta Lynn

PHOTOS: Notable deaths of 2013

“There aren’t words in our language to describe the depth of his greatness. I’ll miss my kind and generous friend.” -- Vince Gill

“The greatest voice to ever grace country music will never die. Jones has a place in every heart that ever loved any kind of music.” -- Garth Brooks

“George Jones’ life is an example of so many wonderful things: How someone’s God-given gifts can make this a richer, better place. How one human being can overcome adversity, addiction, and life threatening obstacles time and time again. That it is not the stumble or fall that counts, but the willingness to stand again. How a keen sense of humor and a twinkle in a person’s eye can still prevail even after all of life’s hard knocks. How mistakes, missteps, and bad choices are not the end of the world if a person chooses to turn them into something good. And George’s life is above all the strongest example of how the love of a great woman can get a man through anything. All of this made its way beautifully into every note of the greatest voice country music will ever know. And one of the greatest friends you could ever have. We miss you already George.” -- Brad Paisley

“George Jones always spoke of my grandfather as his hero, which is funny today how he was easily one of my heroes. He wrapped his voice around a lyric in a way that I don’t think I’ve ever heard before, with so much emotion pouring out seamlessly and simply. He was an outlaw, a rebel, and a hero. Elliott Smith once said his idea of Heaven was George Jones singing at the gates, I fully agree with him and I’m sure everyone up there is smiling. His music will never die.” -- Holly Williams

“If I’m blessed enough to make it there, I look forward to you giving me the grand tour. Rest in peace George Jones!!!!!” -- Keith Urban

“Sad to hear about George Jones’ passing. That man touched a lot of lives with his music. Thanks for setting the bar for the rest of us.” -- Kelly Clarkson

“Very sad to hear the news about the passing of my friend George Jones. He was a wonderful man and was my all-time favorite country singer. We recorded together, even performed shows together back in the ‘50s. He will surely be missed.” -- Dr. Ralph Stanley

“The country music singer of all time. The words ‘Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes’ has never been more true than today.” -- Ricky Skaggs

“End of an era. Travel safe, Possum.” -- Rosanne Cash

“Well, heaven better get ready for some great country music. While George was known for his wild and crazy days, I’ve known him for 25 years as a friend. He had grown into a real good man. Of course, he will always be the greatest singer and interpreter of real country music -- there’ll never be another. Like the song says, ‘You know this old world is full of singers, but just a few are chosen to tear your heart out when they sing. Imagine life without them.Who’s gonna fill their shoes.’” -- Alan Jackson

“Years ago someone asked Coach Bum Phillips if Earl Campbell was in a class by himself. Bum replied, ‘Well if he ain’t, it sure don’t take long to check roll.’ I say the same of the late great George Jones. Rest in peace POSSUM. You were always kind to me … THANKS.” -- Larry Gatlin

“The music world has lost one of the most original and innovative talents that the world has ever known. I feel such a personal loss of not only one of the greatest vocal influences of my life, but also I’ve lost a dear friend. Visits with George have always been full of joy and laughter. Every time I would see him, George would always greet me with a funny story or a joke. His legacy will put his name at the top of the most influential artists in history, right along with Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings. His voice will be influencing singers 100 years from now and beyond.” -- Travis Tritt

“George Jones has been a major part of my personal and professional life for a long time. I have been inspired by his music for the last 50 years and for 42 of those, I had the pleasure of knowing him personally and professionally. He was IT to me. George was and will always be my guy. I am luckier than a lot of people on this Earth because God let me be a part of George’s life and him a part of mine. And on this day, his song couldn’t be more true: ‘He Stopped Loving Her Today.’” -- Sammy Kershaw

“I met George when he came to Nashville and we became good friends. I’m really going to miss him. The world has lost the greatest singer to have ever lived.” -- Mel Tillis

“George Jones may be gone but his music will live on forever. What a great voice and a great friend.” -- Ray Stevens

“Country music as we know it would be vastly different if it weren’t for George Jones. He’s in our musical DNA. All country artists will have to figure out how to even begin to live up to his kind of legacy. ‘Honky Tonk Heaven,’ here he comes ... though we’re not ready to let go.” --Pam Tillis

“The greatest most soulful voice in history is gone. RIP George Jones.” -- Restless Heart

“We met George many times over the past 50 years. This is a terrible loss for his family, friends, the country music industry and the world. He’s the most identifiable and inspirational country artist that has ever lived.” -- Doug Gray, Marshall Tucker Band

“George Jones was a mentor and a giant to my generation of country singers. He was there for my first Ralph Emery Show appearance. Backstage I was so nervous and expressed concern to George that if Ralph Emery didn’t like me, my career may never get off the ground. The first thing George said to Ralph when they went on air was how nice of guy he thought I was.

“George Jones was our country music soul singer, no doubt. Who’s gonna fill those shoes?” -- Billy Dean

“We’ve lost one of the greatest voices in history. Prayers and condolences to his family.” -- The Bellamy Brothers

“Sharing the same vocal booth with George Jones on ‘Traveller’s Prayer’ was without a doubt THE highlight of our career. He was a true legend, generous and supportive and he will live on and on in our hearts.” -- Sweethearts of the Rodeo

“I have no words to express my admiration and love for George Jones. To say he was my ‘hero’ does not do justice to the lifetime impression he made on me, both personally and professionally. George Jones is the foundation of country music and he’s the reason I wanted to perform. Hes the reason I’m still here in this business ... out there on the road. He was my mentor and my teacher; George was my friend. He paved the way for so many and I was one of the lucky ones to have enjoyed the opportunity to not only sing beside him, but just ‘sit and visit’ with him. When I was just starting out, we toured together; he was the headliner. After a few shows, he told me that I was going to close the shows (because he wanted to watch ‘Andy Griffith’). For a newcomer, it was intimidating to open for him; there was even more pressure to close for him. George gave me strength and encouragement; he kept telling me ‘you can do it, son.’ George Jones is the Father of Country. We will all miss his voice, and I will miss his voice to call me ‘son.” -- Mark Chesnutt

“Country music lost an icon today and I have lost a dear and beloved friend. With tear-filled eyes, I’m reminiscing this morning about all that I learned from and loved about George Jones. He was part of my ‘country music education;’ he made country music history and, in my opinion, George Jones is a song’s best friend. No one will leave an imprint on my life like George did.” -- Lorrie Morgan

“The first 8-tracks that I owned were recordings by Conway Twitty and George Jones. Long before my career got started, I was at a concert (Travis Tritt’s homecoming show) and George Jones performed. I sat there and sang along to every word that George sang. A lady, who sat in front of me, turned around and said, ‘do you know George Jones’ music?’ When my reply was, ‘heck yeah,’ she introduced herself; it was his wife, Nancy. Nancy brought me backstage that night to introduce me to George. That was three years before I signed my record deal and we’ve remained friends and stayed in touch since then. Right or wrong, in good times and in bad, people loved George Jones -- he made an impression. His music is his legacy and he will not only be remembered as the best country singer this world will ever know, but a great man that we all will truly miss.” -- Mark Wills

ALSO:

Jones, Haggard: Hasslin’ and harmony

George Jones, country superstar, has died at 81

George Jones dies: Listen to his one-of-a-kind duet with Johnny Cash

Follow Randy Lewis on Twitter: @RandyLewis2

August Brown contributed to this report