Latest news with #GeorgeJones
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Man accused of stealing $18M in XRP from George Jones' widow
Man accused of stealing $18M in XRP from George Jones' widow originally appeared on TheStreet. Kirk West, a 58-year-old Franklin man, has been arrested for allegedly stealing millions in cryptocurrency and cash from his longtime partner, Nancy Jones — the widow of country music legend George Jones. According to WKRN, Jones reported the theft on July 23, claiming West took $400,000 in cash and a Ledger crypto wallet containing over 5.5 million XRP tokens from two safes in her home. At the time of the theft, the XRP was valued at roughly $11.6 million. As of July 28, its value had surged to $18 million. West was the only person besides Nancy Jones who had the private key, the affidavit notes as reported by WKRN, referring to the PIN-like access code needed to control the wallet. While Nancy was eventually able to recover around 5 million XRP, she still lost 483,205 XRP, currently worth nearly $1.5 said West was arrested at Nashville International Airport on July 24 — less than 24 hours after the investigation began — and charged with theft over $250,000. His bond was set at $1 million, and he's scheduled to appear in court on October 23. The restraining order filed by Nancy Jones details a disturbing timeline. She met West in 2013 shortly after her husband's death when he claimed to be a homebuyer. Over time, they entered a relationship, and West — reportedly penniless — moved into her home. Court documents say Jones funded everything from their living expenses to a Mercedes-Benz for West. West's legal history also raises red flags. In 2016, he pled guilty to bank fraud after forging documents and defrauding Reliant Bank. Jones paid his legal fees and even his restitution obligations — which he allegedly promised to repay but never did.'[West] agreed to pay $935,045.04 in restitution… but has yet to do so,' the filing states. During his house arrest, also served at Nancy's home, West became a self-proclaimed crypto expert, persuading her to invest in coins like XRP, DOGE, SHIB, ETH, and XLM. The court documents allege West used her trust and financial backing to orchestrate the XRP theft. Nancy Jones, married to George Jones from 1983 until his passing in 2013, is now seeking legal recourse for what she calls a deep personal and financial betrayal. Man accused of stealing $18M in XRP from George Jones' widow first appeared on TheStreet on Jul 28, 2025 This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Jul 28, 2025, where it first appeared. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
LSU fan gifts home-run ball to Jared Jones' father during College World Series game
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — The father of LSU first baseman Jared Jones received a special gift from an LSU fan during the Tigers' matchup with the UCLA Bruins on Monday, June 16. LSU fan Dillion Bird gave the home run ball from the bat of Jared Jones to Jones' father, Mr. George, soon after it was hit in the first inning of the game. At the end of the video, Dillion also connected with Jared's mom. Advertisement Jones' blast put the Tigers ahead 4-3, paving the way for the Tigers to defeat the Bruins on Tuesday, June 17, by a score of 9-5 after a weather delay postponed the game on Monday. The moment was captured in a now-viral video by Bird's mother. Dillion said he and his family made the trip to the game together. Dillion said Jones' home run did not make it into the stands. He said, 'Without looking, UCLA's AJ Salgado threw it over his shoulder back into the stands, and it landed right in my lap.' The LSU fan said he immediately started screaming the Tigers' chant, and then his thoughts turned to giving the ball to Mr. George. Advertisement Dillion was seated in Section 134 at the time, and after the inning was over, he went to look for Jones' dad. The LSU fan said Jared's dad thanked him and hugged him tightly. Dillion said he 'was aware before the home run was hit that Jared's parents had never gotten a home run ball back since he went off to college.' Rocco's Jello Shot Challenge: LSU stays in top spot He said that was what made the moment so special. 'Playing ball growing up, I know how much it meant to my parents to get my home-run balls back,' said Dillion. He is thankful that the Lord put the right people in the right place so Jared's dad could get his son's home-run ball. Advertisement Dillion was at the game to support his long-time friend, LSU outfielder Jake Brown. He said they were on the same travel ball team and have played together since they were seven years old. 'Being able to support him on this big of a stage and watching him have success means the world to me and our community back home,' Dillion said. Dillion was born and raised in Louisiana and lived in Baton Rouge for two years while playing baseball at the Baton Rouge Community College. He is now playing for the Lake Charles Gumbeaux Gators in the Texas Collegiate League. Playing for the Gators will keep Dillion from going to Omaha for the LSU series against Coastal Carolina, but he said, 'If I did catch another ball, I might keep that one to myself.' Latest News Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
Belfast Telegraph
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
The ‘rollercoaster' career of NI music legend George Jones – from providing ‘an oasis' in the Troubles to a ‘tragic year'
Clubsound star George Jones tells all on his life spent entertaining others, surviving a bombing, and finding faith in difficult times. Music and broadcasting legend George Jones has by his own admission been on a 'rollercoaster' journey and said he feels bring happiness to others is what he has 'been guided to do with my life'. That realisation has come having found religion and looking back on a past well lived which has seen him wear all manner of hats – musician, comedian, broadcaster and more latterly artist and Christian.
Forbes
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Nashville Unveils Statue Honoring George Jones - Outside The Ryman Auditorium
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)
Forbes
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Tracy Lawrence On How George Jones Helped Him & His Way Of Paying It Forward With New Artists
Country artist Tracy Lawrence His careers spans more than three decades with 18 No. 1 hits that includes familiar songs like 'Time Marches On,' 'Paint Me A Birmingham,' and 'If the World Had a Front Porch,' just to name a few. He continues to tour and still draws a crowd, too, with last week's sold-out show at the Ryman Auditorium as the latest example. Tracy Lawrence performs at his sold out show at the Ryman Auditorium - Sunday, May 18th, 2025 - ... More Nashville, Tennessee And yet, Tracy Lawrence accepts that he's on the 'other side' of his country music career and now is a time to enjoy all he's accomplished and make way for the younger artists striving to make their way up the ladder in hopes of achieving success. It wasn't all that long ago he was in 'their' position. 'I remember the whole country music movement in the early 90s when things started to change and the format was shifting away from the Haggards and the Jones and Waylons,' Lawrence recalls. 'A lot of those older cats were really upset with us because they'd been on the radio for years and all of a sudden radio stations weren't playing their records anymore.' Lawrence saying in the middle of that struggle, he remembers how George Jones showed a lot of class in welcoming those new artists. 'I saw the way George Jones handled that and the way he embraced us young kids. I spent a couple of years on the road with him. It was me and Mark Chestnutt and John Anderson that kind of rotated in and out of that tour. I watched how gracious George Jones was, and as I've gotten older, I realize I'm in that same place now. I'm not getting played on the radio anymore. But I've had my time and it's a young person's game now.' Lawrence has found his own way of 'connecting' with today's young artists. He created a podcast called 'TL's Road House' And from the comfortable setting of his tour bus, he spends time with country's up-and-coming stars. So far, he's interviewed Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, HARDY, and many, many others. 'What I strive for when I go into these interviews is to find a common ground that we share like the passion for the music,' Lawrence says. 'And to talk about what their frustrations are within the industry, relationships with record labels, and so on. And with the diversity of the different artists, no two conversations are ever the same.' Zach Top with Tracy Lawrence for "TL's Road House" - recorded on Lawrence's tour bus Jelly Roll appears on Tracy Lawrence's tour bus for the podcast "TL's Road House" He's discovered everyone has their own, unique country music journey. 'We all come from a different place,' he explains. 'We all had a different family life. Some people came up with a musical family, some didn't. There are some people who were born singing Christmas songs and church songs, and others who didn't tap into their passion until they were in their twenties. It's a fascinating conversation to have with these young people. He chose the tour bus setting because it tends to put people at ease. Tracy Lawrence and Ella Langley on Lawrence's tour bus for "TL's Road House" Riley Green and Tracy Lawrence for "TL's Road House" 'I wanted to do it on the bus because of the comfort factor artists have. When you spend time on a bus, it's your safe space, There's a feeling they get when the come in and sit down that everything is cool. It has a charm to it. The only frustrating thing is having to set it up and tear it down for every podcast we do. It takes about an hour and a half to do that. So, I keep everything in boxes back in the closet.' As busy as he stays with the podcast, Lawrence is still playing shows. He's also busy with a host of other projects including his Mission Possible charity for the homeless. He and a group of artists, athletes, and celebrities held his fifth annual golf tournament fundraiser in Nashville last week, raising more than $200,000. Fellow country artists, athletes, and others took part in Tracy Lawrence's fifth annual Mission: ... More Possible Celebrity Classic Golf Tournament at Old Hickory Country Club outside Nashville, TN on May 19th, 2025. They raised more than $200,000. Lawrence, who grew up in a Christian home with a mother very active in the church, says it started out as a small way to give back twenty years ago and has now become a major annual event. 'It was never meant to be a big charity thing, it was just a handful of us that wanted to do something for the community, shine a light on the Rescue Mission, and feed the homeless,' he says. 'That first year for Thanksgiving, I think we cooked 200 turkeys. Last November we cooked 1700 turkeys and raised about $300,000. It's amazing to see how something with no strategy or plan has evolved into something unique and every special.' While Lawrence may not see his songs played on the radio or make their way up the country charts like they did years ago, he continues creating new music and is currently working on a new album. Thanks to social media and streaming services, he knows it'll find its way to the people who want to hear it. More than thirty years after it all began, Lawrence still loves performing. He says there's nothing like playing to a packed house with the crowd singing his biggest hits right along with him. 'I still love it, I still love being out there,' he says. 'I played Stagecoach in April and getting on stage and feeling that energy from people… When I hit 'Paint Me A Birmingham' at the end of my set, they were so loud. I guarantee it was 115,000 deep because my front house engineer told he had to turn it up (the audio) three times to get it over the people in the crowd. It was awesome!' Singer Tracy Lawrence performs on the Palomino stage during the Stagecoach Music Festival on April ... More 27, 2025 in Indio, California. (Photo byfor Stagecoach)
