Photo by Daniela Stallinger
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Web Exclusive…
George Jones Timeline
By Joe Nick Patoski, July 2006
Follow The Possum from a Texas log cabin to the Country Music Hall of Fame
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1931
Born September 12 in a log cabin in Saratoga, Texas, deep in the Big Thicket. Doctor drops him and breaks his arm
1942
Father gives him his first guitar, a Gene Autry model, for his 11th birthday
1949
Meets Hank Williams on the Pearl & Eddie Show
1953
Finishes hitch in the Marines and meets H.W. "Pappy" Dailey, co-founder of Starday Records
1954
First recording session on January 19 with Pappy Dailey, laying down five tracks. Two become his first single: "You're in My Heart/No Money in the Deal"
1955
First appearance on the Louisiana Hayride radio show in Shreveport. Another single, "Why Baby Why" becomes a Top 5 hit
1956
Joins the Grand Ole Opry and becomes a regular on the Louisiana Hayride, sharing the stage several times with another bright young talent named Elvis Presley. Tries the rockabilly route with "Rock It/How Come It" under the name of Thumper Jones
1959
Scores first number one hit with "White Lightning," written by J.P. Richardson, a.k.a. the Big Bopper; later joins the Big Bopper in providing background whoops and hollers on Johnny Preston's hit "Running Bear"
1962
Male Vocalist of the Year, Billboard and Cash Box magazines, and Country Music DJ convention
1963
On the bill of Patsy Cline's last show before she dies in a plane crash
1969
The top male singer in country music marries Tammy Wynette, hottest new female singer in country music, and begins a 20-year association with producer Billy Sherrill. Joins the Grand Ole Opry for a second time
1972-3
Top Vocal Duo with Tammy Wynette, Cash Box magazine
1973
Scores number one hit with Tammy Wynette, "We're Gonna Hold On"
1976
George and Tammy divorce but score two number one hits, "Golden Ring" and "Near You"
1980
Wins Grammy award and Country Music Association's Single of the Year for "He Stopped Loving Her Today;" single holds number one position on charts for 18 consecutive weeks
Male Vocalist of the Year, Country Music Association
1981
Awarded first gold record for I Am What I Am
1983
Marries Nancy Sepulvada, his fourth and present wife, the woman who, he says, "saved my life"
1992
Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame
1993
Vocal Event of the Year: "I Don't Need Your Rocking Chair," featuring Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, T. Graham Brown, Mark Chestnutt, Travis Tritt, Joe Diffie, Patty Loveless, Clint Black, Pam Tillis, and Garth Brooks, Country Music Association
1995
George and Tammy reunite in the recording studio for "One" and tour together for the first time in almost 20 years; three years later, the First Lady of Country Music passes away
1996
I Lived to Tell It All, his autobiography, reaches number six on the New York Times' bestseller list
2000
Starts Bandit Records and for the first time in his career controls ownership of his music. Wins second Grammy for "Choices" from Cold Hard Truth
2003
Enters the food business with George Jones Country Style Breakfast Sausage, George Jones White Lightning Tennessee Spring Water, and George Jones Ole Fashioned Marinades & Sauces
Reunites with Billy Sherrill in the studio to record his first gospel collection
Receives National Medal of Arts from President George W. Bush at the White House
2004
George Jones: 50 Years of Hits special airs on PBS
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