HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Today, Nancy Jones – the widow of George Jones – announced the one-night-only concert event “Still Playing Possum: Music and Memories of George Jones,” to honor the legacy and music of “the greatest country singer of all time”. The special television taping event will take place on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Jamey Johnson, Justin Moore, Lorrie Morgan, Mark Chesnutt, Michael Ray, Sam Moore, Tanya Tucker, Trace Adkins, Tracy Byrd and Tracy Lawrence are amongst the first artists to be announced as performers with more artists to be announced. Ticket prices will start at $25.00 and a special VIP upgrade, which includes dinner the night before with Nancy Jones and friends, for $200.

“George Jones died on April 26, 2013, in Nashville, Tennessee. It will be ten years since he left us with just his songs, so to produce this night of music to honor his legacy is perfectly fitting,” says Nancy Jones. “George made history and influenced artists from all genres and many of them will celebrate with us in April. The night will bring lots of emotion for the fans, our family, and anyone who just loved Country Music.”

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. Born in Saratoga, Texas, Jones 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. His 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. 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.

Not all heroes wear capes, just as not all musicians are huge stage playing bands. Some artists can be found at some of our favorite places around here sitting on a stool with their guitar and pick just giving us a down-to-earth good night while we relax and that right there is exactly what Michael is. 

Michael is good people. Running into him the few times I have, I’ve been met with a smile and what appears to be a heart of gold. 

The Shoals area is known for its music and souls like Michael keep the blood pumping. Over the holidays I corresponded with him to get us a small interview. 

Please tell me who you are and what you play. Introduce yourself however you’d like. 

M: I’m Michael Ledbetter and I play guitar and sing my original rock music and also cover some songs that I love. 

What do you feel is the best song you’ve ever played and why? 

M: Probably my song “Juliana’s Door” because it’s my mom’s favorite. 

What are your favorite places to play? 

M: I’ve been playing at Swamper’s for years so I love playing there but in the past when my full band was actively playing we had many memorable shows at Side Pocket which is now Brass Monkey and Big Ed’s which is now Ray’s at the Bank and High Ridge Distillery. 

How did Covid-19 change things? 

M: COVID put everything on pause. My gigs were suspended for a full year. Things have mostly returned to normal since the vaccine. 

If you could collaborate with any musicians who would they be and why? 

M: Well Pearl Jam is one of my favorite bands so, of course, that would be amazing. Locally, I’ve always admired the Fiddleworms so that would be great, too. 

If you can have your fans remember one thing about you, what would it be? 

M: That I always play what I genuinely love despite any current trends. 

What got you into playing music? Was there a defining moment?

M:  After my dad passed away when I was 11, I found solace in music and started learning how to play guitar. 

How would you describe the music you typically play?

M:  It’s based in rock. Guitars, bass, drums, keys and horns. There’s also some inevitable country and Americana influences from growing up in the south. 

If you could open a show for any artist who would it be?

M: Pearl Jam, of course. 

Do you sing in the shower? What songs? 

M: Rarely, but it can be fun sometimes. Nothing specific. Just whatever pops into my head.

I absolutely enjoyed getting to know Michael a little bit better and I hope you did too. If you’re curious to know, he has a new album in the works called “1985.” Honestly, I hope to be one of the first to give it a listen and tell everyone what it sounds like! 

If you’re curious to hear some of his sounds and feel like getting into the Christmas spirit you can listen to his Christmas Collaboration that came out just last week!

https://youtu.be/UEEo9eU8jLQ (Christmas Collaboration video)

Staff Writers: Josie Maxwell & Dee Jackson

Everyone can agree that the heart of the Shoals area shares a part of it’s beating self with it’s deeply rooted music history. From The Swampers (Muscle Shoals Rythm Section) playing for Aretha Franklin, to “The Father of The Blues”, WC Handy and the more recently produced Muscle Shoals Documentary, we of the Quad Cities area can be proud of our rich music history. 

We all love and adore The Swampers, The Midnighters and The Pine Hill Haints but let’s also shine a spotlight on our young and upcoming artists in the area and celebrate the beautiful fact that our city’s love of music is still very much alive and blasting through young people’s speakers and venues. 
In this series, we will introduce music artists in the area and get to know a part of the still-beating heart of Muscle Shoals.
I remember being at The End music venue in Downtown Florence and hearing West Means Home (now Roy Sullivan) for the first time. Their music electrified my soul and sent the entire room into a buzz with their sounds as they played. These guys just dropped their debut album as Roy Sullivan called On The Verge of Collapse.  
This band has been together and touring since 2015 and is still going strong! Austin Brent is the lead vocalist and he can belt out the catchiest lyrics on this side of the river. While Zack plays the guitar that could be a catalyst to bring Frankenstein’s monster to life.  Antonio’s bass rhythm and Jake’s heavy riffs keep you wanting more. Jared knows just when to really give a punchy beat on the drums and when to play lively and accent his bandmates to create the perfect storm to make a crowd jump. 
 They have turned the heads of Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional and Joel Madden from Good Charlotte! This October they went on tour with the band Meadows in support of Idle Threat. 
This group of young men have worked hard for years to give us great music and are now out there keeping the heart of the Shoals alive by showing others that our small town has the soul of a giant. 
I’m sitting here listening to On The Verge of Collapse. The first song that plays when I hit ‘shuffle’ is ‘Dude, Where’s My ’72 Deluxe Partscaster?’ and I can already feel myself falling into it. The opening chords have you swaying in a nostalgic trance while the drums keep it just the right amount of upbeat kick. The lyrics start and I’m thinking, “This one is going to be my favorite.” 
But I still have the entire album that I haven’t listened to and I know I will enjoy each and every one of the songs on there. https://open.spotify.com/artist/45WjJP5Jkv2kTFFjF3amSh

Dee Jackson & Josey Maxwell Staff Writers