Nashville Unveils Statue Honoring George Jones - Outside The Ryman Auditorium

Forbes

03-06-2025

New statue outside the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN honors country music legend George Jones
With one of the most distinctive voices in music, showcased by songs like 'He Stopped Loving Her Today,' 'Grand Tour,' and others, many fans and artists alike consider George Jones the greatest country singer of all time.
Now, twelve years after his death, the country legend has his own statue outside the Ryman Auditorium.
Friends, family, and fans gathered in downtown Nashville to see the statue for the first time and celebrate the country legend who played the Ryman many times throughout his career, when it served as home to the Grand Ole Opry. Jones became a member of the Opry in 1956.
At the unveiling ceremony, Colin Reed, Ryman Hospitality Properties Executive Chairman, presented Jones' wife, Nancy, with a photograph of Jones playing on the Ryman stage decades ago.
Nancy Jones shows photograph of husband, George Jones, performing at the Ryman. The photo was given ... More to her by Ryman Hospitality Properties Executive Chairman Colin Reed at unveiling of Jones' statue. June 03, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by)
Over the past year, Nancy has spent time with sculptor Ben Watts, sharing artifacts, clothing items, and photos of her husband, as Watts worked to create the statue. She was excited to see the end result.
Colin Reed and George Jones's wife, Nancy, attend the unveiling ceremony of new statute. Ryman ... More Auditorium, June 03, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by)
'The statue is beautiful,' she said. 'It has the wedding band, the ring he wore all the time, it's just beautiful.'
It also captures the way Jones dressed, his stance on stage, and even sports his favorite guitar strap.
Nashville unveils new statue honoring George Jones. Ryman Auditorium.
Famous for a steady string of country hits, Jones was equally well-known for getting into trouble due to his problems with drugs and alcohol. The man known as 'The Possum' also ended up with a second nickname of 'No Show Jones' after he failed to show up to a number of his own concerts. With Nancy's help, things improved for Jones later in life.
Fellow musician and good friend Jamey Johson paid tribute to Jones with a couple of stories about his 'antics', like the one where a relative took away Jones' car keys to keep from drinking and Jones took off in a John Deere riding lawn mower.
'Everybody's heard about that lawn mower incident," Johnson, "but that dude really drove a lawn mower eight miles to get to a bar. At the time, it didn't seem like an antic to him. It was what was necessary if he was gonna get a drink.'
Jamey Johnson pays tribute to friend and fellow country artist George Jones Ryman at the unveiling ... More of new George Jones statue. They not only shared a love of music, they had a special connection as both served in the Marines. June 03, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by)
He also recounted a story about the time Jones and Buck Owens were touring together and alternating their shows. One night Jones would open and Owens would close, and the next night they'd reverse the order. It worked out fine until they were set to do a show near Jones' hometown on a night and Owens was scheduled to close. Jones, expecting a lot of people he knew might be there, asked Owens to switch and let 'him' close that night. Owens refused.
'So, George took the stage that night and did something Buck couldn't do,' Johnson explained. 'George knew every song that Buck Owens was going to do that night and since they were sharing the band, George went out and did Buck's entire set before Buck came on. When George walked off the stage he looked at Buck and said, 'Follow that.'
Despite his Jones' reputation for bad behavior, Nancy says the one place that never happened – was the Ryman.
Nancy Jones speaks at unveiling of George Jones statue in Nashville, TN
'George loved the Ryman. It meant everything to him. It's the one place I wish we could have worked every weekend because when he played there, he didn't believe in having a drink. He said, 'It's the Mother Church of Country Music' and he was absolutely thrilled when he would work there.'
She said he played his best shows at the Ryman and would be so pleased to have his statue outside that building.
'It makes me feel good and I know it'd make George feel good. He'd say, 'Well, honey, I finally made it.''
Jones' statue becomes the newest addition to the Ryman Icon Walk honoring country music greats.
George Jones statue becomes newest addition to Ryman Iconic Walk - Nashville, TN
The idea began in 2015 with the first one, at the front of the building, honoring Little Jimmy Dickens. Since then, the Ryman has added four statues, all located on the side of the building: Bill Monroe, Loretta Lynn, Charley Pride, and now, George Jones.
Little Jimmy Dickens statue in front of Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN
Statue of Bill Monroe on Ryman Icon Walk outside the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN
Statue honoring Loretta Lynn on Ryman Icon Walk outside the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN
Statue honoring Charley Pride on Ryman Icon Walk outside the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN
The one honoring Jones comes as the Opry celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.
Nancy says she will continue to find new ways to build upon her husband's legacy and eventually plans to open a new George Jones Museum.
She hears from fans all the time who still love and adore him, and his music continues to inspire new generations of country music artists. She says there's never been anyone like him.
'They only made one George Jones,' she says. 'Trust me."
Throughout his lengthy career, Jones had more than 160 charting singles leaving an indelible mark on country music.
Promotional studio portrait of American country singer and songwriter George Jones with an acoustic ... More guitar, circa 1970. (Photo by)