MUSEUM TO COVER EVERY FACET
OF THE HALL OF FAME MEMBER’S CAREER
Nashville,
Tenn. (January 12, 2015) – The voice of George Jones continues to reign
as one of Country Music’s most hallowed instruments. Beginning this
spring, fans will have a chance to get a never-before-seen look into the
life and career of the musical icon with the opening of the George
Jones Museum in Nashville.
Jones’ wife Nancy has announced the museum will open the weekend of
April 24, which will coincide with the second anniversary of his passing
(April 26). The world-class museum will offer Jones fans a chance to
get up close and personal with the singers’ story as never before.
The George Jones Museum will tell the story of the singer – born
September 12, 1931 in Saratoga, Texas. Exhibits will show his
development from his childhood to singing as a teenager on the streets
of Galveston. There will also be documentation of his time spent serving
his country in the United States Marines, as well as his time behind
the microphone as a radio announcer for KTXJ in Jasper, Texas – one of
the jobs Jones held before stardom.
There will also be screens devoted to each era of his career. He
earned his first hit in 1955 with “Why Baby Why,” and continued to be a
chart presence well into the 2000s. Footage of historic Jones
performances and interviews throughout his career will also be featured.
Among his career highlights include the 1962 classic “She Thinks I
Still Care,” his marriage and recording partnership with Tammy Wynette
from 1969-1975, the recording of “He Stopped Loving Her Today” in 1980,
as well as his 1992 induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Visitors will also get a chance to sing along with Jones in an
interactive booth, and view many of his awards, Gold and Platinum
records, and career memorabilia. There will also be a theater that will
show videos of landmark Jones performances, a restaurant, event space,
and a gift shop, as well as a 75-foot rooftop bar overlooking the
Cumberland River.
The opening weekend will also feature the launch of White Lightning’ Moonshine. A
partnership with Silver Trail Distillery (winners of the 2012 SIP Award
for best Whiskey Moonshine – as well as developers of the LBL Moonshine
that was just picked up by a national distributor), the brand pays
homage to the J.P. Richardson-written song of the same title – which
became Jones’ first Billboard chart-topper in 1959.
The George Jones Museum will be located at 128 2nd Avenue North in
downtown Nashville. Further details regarding opening weekend
festivities will be announced in the coming weeks.