George Jones has a problem with today's country radio -- namely that there's so little actual country music to be found there! "The radio don't play traditional country music like it used to," he tells The 9513. "I listen to Alan Jackson and George Strait. They're still on the stations. And we like Sugarland, too. Most of the new artists, they understand me. We're good friends. Kenny Chesney is like my son, [along with] Dierks Bentley, and several of them. They know I love traditional music and I know what they have to do. We still all go out and have a steak together; they're good people and they do good work. It's just ain't what I like anymore."
One new artist, Jamey Johnson, has grabbed the 78-year-old's attention, but The Possum worries his radio days could be
short-lived. "He's coming along pretty good, but I don't know how long they're gonna play him because he's country and real traditional. But he's had some real good success early, and that looks good for him."George, who has collaborated with artists from all genres, including Ray Charles, James Taylor and Elvis Costello, says country is the only kind of music he really likes. "Well, I'm a traditional country artist. I always have been and I always will be. I love it so much -- I always have -- that when you speak of traditional country music, it's like a religion to me. I didn't get started seeking glory or seeking big dollars or being somebody big. I came into it because I loved what I was doing."
George recently released 'A Collection of My Best Recollection,' sold exclusively at Cracker Barrel stores. The album features several of his past hits, and a pair of new songs, 'I Don't Want to Know,' and 'I'm a Long Gone Daddy,' which is currently No. 24 on the charts.
Reader Comments(1 of 1)
nashyoungat 9-17-2009
George, I couldn't agree with you more.Nobody can Fill Those Shoes like you old school guys.Vern Godsin was about the last, but even he didn't stand a chance against the new Nashville ways.God bless all of you true country legends.
handhplymouthat 9-18-2009
He is right there is hardly any true country music played on country radio these days. I am getting to the point I don't want to listen to it anymore. Most of the new stuff is so far from being country.
It will only get worse if Alan Jackson retires this year. He is one of the last real country artists left. Taylor Swift seems like a nice kid but her music is just teeny bopper stuff.
Roarmeister2at 11-07-2009
I think George needs to grow up! Yes, that's really something to say to somebody that's 78 years old but I mean it. Look -- "country" music isn't a static genre. What his parents liked before him was different from his early, middle and late portions of his career. These new youngins coming out with pop-country or new country or what have you is definitely not the old time traditional stuff, the stars who are doing George's "old time country" are gradually dying off or retiring. People change... so music changes. What's wrong with that? Nothing. But the old timers do have to learn to move with the times and give the new generation(s) their own due. No it's not country music. More of a country flavoured pop music that a lot of the new generation are spouting. I could understand the criticism of George's more if the new country music was simply terrible but it isn't, it is still very listenable music. It is just different.
And George, even though you are 78, grow up! They didn't "steal" anything. They have their following and their following buys lots of CDs (not records btw) and votes on all the awards. They vote with their feet and their pocketbooks and their Ipods. You simply refused to recognize the changing times. They aren't the problem, your lack of understanding IS.