POSSUMS’S KINGDOM
STORY BY JOSEPH HUDAK

George Jones is still a badass. Sliding into the driver’s seat of his tricked-out Audi, the 81-year-old doesn’t bother to buckle his seatbelt. Instead, he hits the gas and starts descending, with Country Weekly in the back seat, down the winding driveway of his manor in Franklin, Tenn. It’s an impressive, sprawling property, 78 acres in total, his forever-young wife of 30 years, Nancy, says. “You don’t have any rich friends who want to buy it, do you?” she asks. She and George are contemplating selling and moving into a gated community.

George seems fine with that change, but bristles when the idea of turning his current home—with its closets of Nudie suits and walls of awards and photos with presidents and artists like Porter Wagoner—into a Graceland-type attraction is suggested.

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(Left) George meets a young fan in Chattanooga, TN Friday, March 22nd

George Jones’ final tour of his career, dubbed “The Grand Tour,” kicked off in early 2013 and is set to conclude late in the year. Along the way, George will be meeting devoted fans from his 50+ year career, and periodically, we will spotlight some of his biggest fans.

George Jones’ final Nashville concert, to be held on Friday, November 22, 2013 at Bridgestone Arena, has SOLD OUT with over 15,000 people planning to attend. Today, a VIP Experience including a special George Jones autographed item and the chance to meet ‘the possum’ backstage is available exclusively at http://cwired.co/GJ13VIP The VIP Experience is being offered for $1000.00 each and only 100 VIP tickets are available (first come, first served).

“We are so excited for this show and for all the artists that are going to be taking part,” says Nancy Jones. “George and I were shocked at how fast the tickets sold and the prices people are being asked to pay online for broker tickets. In an effort to keep the prices reasonable for fans, we decided to offer a VIP Experience which includes a backstage meet and greet with George.”

George Jones, often referred to as the “the greatest living country singer” will mark the end of an era with 2013’s farewell tour titled “The Grand Tour". The tour is expected to make approximately 60 stops this year. “I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair", “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes", “White Lightning” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today” will surely be part of each night’s set list, along with plenty of guests and surprises.

George Jones on Tour
04/06 – Knoxville, TN – Knoxville Coliseum
04/19 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theater
04/20 – Salem, VA – Salem Civic Center
04/27 – Huntsville, AL – Mark C. Smith Concert Hall
05/17 – Charlottesville, VA – John Paul Jones Arena
05/18 – Spartanburg, SC – Memorial Auditorium
06/01 – North Tonawanda, NY – Riviera Theater
06/02 – Lancaster, PA – American Music Theater
06/14 – Midland, TX – Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center
06/15 – Albuquerque, NM – Route 66 Casino
06/28 – Rome, GA – The Forum
06/29 – Columbus, GA – Civic Center
07/26 – Pittsburgh, PA – Palace Theater
07/27 – Cherokee, NC – Harrah’s Casino
08/02 – Columbus, OH – Ohio State Fair
08/03 – Watertown, NY – Watertown Fairgrounds Arena
08/22 – Penn Forest Township, PA – Penns Peak
08/23 – Myrtle Beach, SC – Alabama Theater
09/13 – Biloxi, MS – IP Casino
09/14 – Marksville, LA - Paragon Casino
09/27 – Prior Lake, MN – Mystic Lake Casino
09/28 – Milwaukee, WI – Potawatomi Casino
10/11 – Branson, MO – The Oak Ridge Boys Theatre
10/25 – Mt. Pleasant, MI – Soaring Eagle Casino
10/26 – Bowling Green, KY – SKY Performing Arts Center
11/09 – Grant, OK – Choctaw Event Center
11/10 – Branson, MO – The Oak Ridge Boys Theatre
11/22 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena

VIP TICKETS AVAILABLE AT http://cwired.co/GJ13VIP

Cyndi Lauper, Don McLean, Billy Ray Cyrus are the latest to be added to George Jones’ final Nashville concert taking place at the Bridgestone Arena on Friday, November 22, 2013.

Commenting on the added performers George Jones says, “Now, people may not know this, but I have been a fan of Cyndi’s since I first saw her years ago at the Grammy awards, what a thrill it was to hear she will be part of this final celebration. Don McLean and I first met in the ‘70s, here in Nashville, and I love his singing, his songwriting, and I know his performance will be just as special as when I first saw him sing. Billy Ray is an old friend and someone I have spent many times together, bless his heart for wanting to be with me on this show. I love and respect all these singers.”

Previously announced guest performers include Garth Brooks, Kid Rock, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, Alan Jackson, Dierks Bentley, T. Graham Brown, Mark Chesnutt, Charlie Daniels, Joe Diffie, Jamey Johnson, Tracy Lawrence, Patty Loveless, Shelby Lynne, Kathy Mattea, Montgomery Gentry, Sam Moore, Lorrie Morgan, The Oak Ridge Boys, Pam Tillis, Randy Travis, Tanya Tucker, Josh Turner and Gene Watson.

In addition, Clay Walker, Aaron Tippin, Collin Raye, Larry Gatlin, Crystal Gayle, The Kentucky HeadHunters, Jett Williams, Jeanne Pruett, Lisa Matassa, The Whites, Ricky Skaggs, Mandy Barnett, Mark Collie, Ronnie McDowell, Baillie & the Boys, and Daryle Singletary will join previously announced Brenda Lee, John Conlee, Lee Greenwood, Eddy Raven, The Roys, Janie Fricke, T.G. Sheppard, Dailey & Vincent, Gary Morris, Jessi Colter, Bobby Bare, Jim Ed Brown, Little Jimmy Dickens, Stonewall Jackson and more will all take the stage during the finale performance.

More stars are expected to be announced as performers gear up to pay tribute to one of the world’s most accomplished recording artists.

George Jones, often referred to as the “the greatest living country singer” will mark the end of an era with 2013’s farewell tour titled “The Grand Tour". The tour is expected to make approximately 44 stops this year. The icon’s hits, “I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair", “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes", “White Lightning” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today” will surely be part of each night’s set list, along with plenty of guests and surprises.

GEORGE JONES & FRIENDS
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2013
BRIDGESTONE ARENA - NASHVILLE, TN

With the SOLD OUT final concert already hosting top names in all genres of music including Garth Brooks, Kid Rock, Kenny Rogers, and Randy Travis among others, George Jones is excited to announce his dear friends and fellow Grand Ole Opry members Alan Jackson, Travis Tritt and other performers from his hit song “I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair” will join him onstage. Pam Tillis, Kathy Mattea, Tracy Lawrence, Patty Loveless, Joe Diffie, Mark Chesnutt, and T. Graham Brown latest additions to concert lineup. The event, which will soon be dubbed the Country Music Event of the Year, has already announced Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels, Jamey Johnson, Montgomery Gentry, Shelby Lynne, Sam Moore, Lorrie Morgan, The Oak Ridge Boys, Randy Travis, Tanya Tucker, Josh Turner and Gene Watson as participating in the evening of music.

In addition, Brenda Lee, John Conlee, Lee Greenwood, Eddy Raven, The Roys, Janie Fricke, T.G. Sheppard, Dailey & Vincent, Gary Morris, Jessi Colter, Bobby Bare, Jim Ed Brown, Little Jimmy Dickens, Stonewall Jackson and more will all take the stage during the finale performance.

More stars are expected to be announced as performers gear up to pay tribute to one of the world’s most accomplished recording artists.

“Alan and Denise Jackson have been friends of Nancy and I for years, so this show wouldn’t be the same without him,” says George Jones. “I am also so grateful that my dear friend Garth Brooks is going to be on stage with me. I am not sure who will be crying more, me or him.”

George Jones, often referred to as the “the greatest living country singer” will mark the end of an era with 2013’s farewell tour titled “The Grand Tour". The tour is expected to make approximately 44 stops this year. The icon’s hits, “I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair", “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes", “White Lightning” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today” will surely be part of each night’s set list, along with plenty of guests and surprises.