George Jones photo courtesy of Webster PR.

George Jones’ funeral will take place on Thursday, May 2 at The Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, starting at 10 a.m. Central and will be open to the public. Doors will open at 9 a.m. GAC will broadcast the funeral service live at 10 a.m. Central, with radio partners WSM 650AM and SiriusXM Willie’s Roadhouse (Ch. 56) also broadcasting the service. GAC’s coverage will be anchored by Country Radio hall of famer Bill Cody. Fans around the world can listen online at wsmonline.com or watch online at opry.com.

The service will include music from Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill with Patty Loveless, Alan Jackson, Ronnie Milsap, Kid Rock, the Oak Ridge Boys, Brad Paisley, Randy Travis, Travis Tritt, Tanya Tucker, and Wynonna. First Lady Laura Bush, Kenny Chesney, Grand Ole Opry’s Pete Fisher, Governor Bill Haslam, Governor Mike Huckabee, Barbara Mandrell, and CBS News’ Chief Washington Correspondent Bob Schieffer will all make special remarks.

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Craig Campbell’s 2013 album, Never Regret. Photo courtesy of Monarch Publicity.

On his 2011 self-titled debut, Georgia native Craig Campbell established himself as a modern traditionalist with a strong sense of self and family. Building on the themes that endeared him to country audiences through his Top 20 hit, “Family Man,” and the witty workingman tune, “When I Get It,” Craig stays true to his roots on a new project further defining his relatable down-home sound.

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George Jones photo courtesy of Webster PR.

Following the announcement of George Jones‘ death on Friday, April 26 in Nashville, many of George’s fellow country stars offered their thoughts. Visit our George Jones photo gallery for photos spanning his legendary career.

Remembering George Jones: Photo Gallery >>

Keith Urban tweeted, “If I’m blessed enough to make it there, I look forward to you giving me the grand tour. Rest in peace George Jones!!!!!”

Alan Jackson released this statement: “Well, heaven better get ready for some great country music. While George was known for his wild and crazy days, I’ve known him for 25 years as a friend. He had grown into a real good man. Of course, he’ll always be the greatest singer and interpreter of real country music – there’ll never be another. Like the song says, ‘You know this old world is full of singers, but just a few are chosen to tear your heart out when they sing. Imagine life without them…Who’s gonna fill their shoes.’”

Blake Shelton tweeted, “Really REALLY bad news. We’ve lost a country music legend. And I’ve lost a hero and a friend. Goodbye George Jones…”

“I believe if you ask any singer who was the greatest country music singer of all time, they would say ‘George Jones’,” said Barbara Mandrell in a statement. “He was without question and by far the BEST! I first met and worked with him when I was 13 years old; I am so very grateful that he was my friend.”

Loretta Lynn said, “It’s a sad day for country music and a great loss for those of us who knew him. I was blessed to call George my friend. He was one of the best country singers there ever was. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Nancy, and all of his family. It’s a sad, sad day.”

George Strait shared this memory: “The most special memory was when he gave me my medallion at the Hall of Fame Ceremony. He actually was the one that did the actual induction. And what a special night that was. We’re just gonna miss George so much. This came as a total shock to me. I didn’t even know that George was in the hospital. To the whole music industry, it’s gonna be a big void not having George out there. But you know, we’ve got his music — and that music will live forever. He did a lot of crazy things in his career and no matter how crazy he got, everybody still loved him because that’s just the kind of guy that George was. We’re just all gonna miss him. It’s a sad day for the music business, for sure.”

“My friend, the greatest singer of all time, has passed,” tweeted Brad Paisley. “To those who knew him, our lives were full. To those of you who don’t: discover him now.”

Brad also released this statement: “George Jones’ life is an example of so many wonderful things. How someone’s God-given gifts can make this a richer, better place.  How one human being can overcome adversity, addiction, and life threatening obstacles time and time again.  That it is not the stumble or fall that counts, but the willingness to stand again. How a keen sense of humor and a twinkle in a person’s eye can still prevail even after all of life’s hard knocks.  How mistakes, missteps, and bad choices are not the end of the world if a person chooses to turn them into something good. And George’s life is above all the strongest example of how the love of a great woman can get a man through anything. All of this made its way beautifully into every note of the greatest voice country music will ever know.  And one of the greatest friends you could ever have. We miss you already, George.”

Dierks Bentley, who is still a member of George Jones’ fan club, said he’s “heartbroken,” and tweeted, “nancy and @gjpossum had a beautiful marriage and special relationship. love you nancy. long live the possum. gonna miss my buddy. real sad.”

Vince Gill tweeted, “There aren’t words in our language to describe the depth of his greatness. I’ll miss my kind and generous friend.”

Little Big Town said, “There will never be another George Jones. You are and always will be country music. Rest in peace. #GeorgeJones”

“He had a voice that was the truth, raw and unfiltered,” said Kenny Chesney. “You cant get any realer, any more tortured or any more alive. No one can do what George Jones does, and that’s why 50 years later, he still stands out as one of the greatest singers in any genre of all time.

“We were great friends, but it was really more like a father/son relationship,” added Kenny. “He even showed up in Lexington, Kentucky two years ago to surprise me onstage for my birthday… all the way from Nashville, to surprise me and sing ‘He Stopped Loving Her Today’ with me, which will be one of the greatest memories of my life.”

“When I was just staring out, and I was picked to open the George Jones/Tammy Wynette Reunion Tour, I thought I’d made it,” continued Kenny. “Then one night, George asked me if I was heading home because he and Nancy had a plane, and they’d take me,” Chesney recalls. “I remember sitting there on that jet, thinking, ‘This can’t be happening…’ because he was George Jones, and I was some kid from nowhere…’ I’m sure he knew, but he was generous to kids chasing the dream, and I never forgot it.” Continue Reading

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Tate Stevens’ 2013 self-titled debut album. Photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

Tate Stevens took the stage to perform for a sold out crowd in Kansas City, Missouri Sunday night just two days before his debut album hits shelves. The capacity crowd welcomed Tate back to his hometown for a 75-minute set that included his current single, “Power Of A Love Song.”

Read our review of Tate Stevens’ Self-Titled Debut Album >>

The night turned emotional when Tate invited his wife Ashlie and their two children, son Hayden and daughter Rylie, to take the stage [PHOTO HERE]. He acknowledged how much his life has changed since they signed him up to audition for The X Factor a little over a year ago. Tate eventually won Season 2 of the show. After thanking them for their support, he presented Ashlie with flowers. Continue Reading

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Billy Currington photo by Kate Powers, courtesy of UMG Nashville.

NOW That’s What I Call Music! will release a new collection of country music’s biggest party hits on May 7. NOW That’s What I Call A Country Party will be available on CD and for digital download from all major digital service providers.

NOW That’s What I Call A Country Party will feature 18 hits from today’s biggest stars, including Alan Jackson, Big & Rich, Billy Currington, Brad Paisley, Brantley Gilbert, Brooks & Dunn, Dierks Bentley, George Strait, Gretchen Wilson, Jake Owen, Jerrod Niemann, Jason Aldean, Joe Nichols, Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Montgomery Gentry, Rascal Flatts and Toby Keith.  Continue Reading

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Phil Vassar

The CMA Songwriter Series will return to Joe’s Pub in New York City for a special two-night event May 7-8 to celebrate nine years. The event will feature singer-songwriters Phil Vassar, Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally and host Bob DiPiero.

“Nashville’s songwriters are the best in the world and CMA is excited to showcase them again in New York City at the famed Joe’s Pub,” Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer, said. “It’s great to see how this series has grown since it began in 2005. What started at Joe’s Pub in New York has expanded to other cities over the years. We have even taken the series overseas with shows in the U.K., Ireland, and Paris.” Continue Reading

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Alan Jackson’s 2013 album, Precious Memories, Volume II.

Alan Jackson’s 2006 Gospel album Precious Memories was originally intended as a private Christmas gift for his mother. However, at the urging of friends and family, he released the collection and immediately found that it resonated profoundly with the public. Precious Memories went on to sell more than a million copies in the US alone, and now seven years later, Alan has made a second volume available with 11 new recordings.

For Precious Memories Vol. II, which is in stores now, Alan looked to the original list of song choices that made up Vol. I. “Denise [Alan's wife] and I had made a list of 30 to 40 songs to do for that first album,” Alan says in a press release. “We had so many that we didn’t get to, I thought we’d go in and do a few more just the same way – heartfelt and simple.”

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Alan Jackson’s 2013 album, Precious Memories Volume II.

Alan Jackson has released a beautiful new video for “Amazing Grace.” Filmed at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, the clip features Alan and his band in a stripped-down performance of a gospel standard.

“Amazing Grace” is one of the songs on Alan’s new gospel album, Precious Memories Volume II, available now.

Watch “Amazing Grace” below: Continue Reading

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Alan Jackson’s 2013 album, Precious Memories Volume II.

Alan Jackson was genuinely surprised when his first Precious Memories album of gospel classics sold more than two million copies and continues to sell. He recorded the album as a present for his mother but released it at the urging of family and friends. Some of the stories he’s heard about people who love the album have come to him in the most random places.

“I was at the airport renewing my parking pass,” he said. “This young woman was behind the desk there and she was doing all the paperwork, and she saw my name there and she said, ‘Are you Alan Jackson the singer?’ And I said, ‘Yes.’ And then she said ‘You did the Precious Memories gospel music?’ And I said, ‘Yes.’ She said, ‘Well, I’m from South Africa, and we watched that program over there.’ And she said they sang all the songs.” Continue Reading

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Alan Jackson photo courtesy of Schmidt Relations.

Alan Jackson headlined the 5^th Annual “Stars Go Blue” benefit March 20 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, performing for a sold out, standing room only crowd. The event was hosted by the Colon Cancer Alliance and all proceeds benefited CCA’s Blue Note Fund which helps patients in need, a program founded by GRAMMY-nominated artist/producer Charlie Kelley, husband of GAC host Nan Kelley.

Craig Campbell opened the show in honor of his father, who passed away from colon cancer when Craig was 11. Alan participated in the event in honor of his wife Denise being diagnosed in 2010. She is now cancer free. Continue Reading

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