George Jones was making country music for 60 years before his death in 2013. Both in his later days and posthumously, he was and is regarded as an absolute icon — but, as he recalled to The Boot in 2009, his career didn’t take off right out of the gate. Jones also admitted that, the first time he heard one of his songs on the radio, he thought he was listening to someone — or something — else!
My first record [was] in February 1954. I was in Houston, Texas.
I put the first single I had in my hand, got out of the car and took it into [the radio station], to Pete Hunter, who was the disc jockey. The song was “There Ain’t No Money in This Deal,” and there wasn’t!
I went back in my car and just couldn’t wait to hear it. Really, it didn’t sound like me to me. I had a horse-y-type voice, which I learned to live with later on.
It made me proud. You love music, and I thought, “Boy. I’ve got my first record out, and I hope it’s a hit!” And, of course, it didn’t get out of the state!
This story was originally written by Pat Gallagher, and revised by Angela Stefano.
Country’s Greatest Love Stories: George + Nancy Jones
This Article Was Originally Posted at www.TheBoot.com
