Brother and sister Lee and Elaine Roy, The Roys, will open for George Jones tonight at the Moncton Coliseum.
George Jones
Country musician plays at the Moncton Coliseum tonight
by dwayne tingley
times & transcript staff Published Wednesday April 16th, 2008
The question is the only logical one for George Jones, whose songs of hard livin' and hard lovin' are more documentary than novelty.
The answer is also logical.
If you're George Jones.
A reporter asked the country music legend why does he still hit the road for weeks at a time to tour every nook and cranny of North America. After all, Mr. Jones, you'll be 77-years-old in September.
"I've got a big problem -- when I get home I get bored and I go a little berserk," Jones said in a telephone interview as he jumped from his tour bus before a recent concert in Winnipeg.
"At home, there's not much to do so I get bored and that's when I get into all kinds of trouble -- with the wife."
Jones, who has been performing since he was a teenager in Beaumont, Texas, is scheduled to play 95 concerts this year, including one Wednesday night at the Moncton Coliseum.
Next year, he expects to schedule only 50 shows.
"I've got to slow down," Jones said. "I still enjoy performing for the people and that's what keeps me going.
"All of the shows are a big time. I try to make them a big time because I don't know how much longer I'm going to be able to do this. It's not easy any more, but I promise we're going to have a big time on this tour."
Jones has had more songs on the country charts than anyone in history -- 167. He has also had the most top 40 hits with 143 and his 78 top 10 hits second only Eddy Arnold.
Jones is a member of the Grammy Hall of Fame as well as the Country Music hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry.
Johnny Cash once said: When people ask me who my favourite country singer is, I say 'You mean besides George Jones?'"
"When I was about 13, I was riding the city buses (in Beaumont) and totin' my guitar," Jones recalled.
"I'd be goin' up and down those streets all day, just pickin' my guitar and nobody told me to get off the busy street. I guess they kinda like the music. Those were some of the happiest days I can ever remember in my life."
Jones, who has been singing and playing professionally for 53 years and has been a member of the Opry for 39, doesn't take his guitar for granted.A year and a half ago, he broke his right wrist at his producer's studio in Nashville and he required surgery. The wrist injury combined with an ailing back has forced him to give up the guitar-pickin' for live shows.
"I hated to give it up, but my back was killin' me," Jones said. "Now, I just let the boys take over and they do an amazing job.
"I tried it for a little while, but they kidded me and said I was a pretty bad rhythm player anyway. I can take a joke. I've got a good bunch with me so they play and I sing. It works out pretty good, too."
His back is getting a little better and the wrist doesn't give him any trouble so the shows and tours go on.
"Some days are better than others, but everything changes when I get on stage. Once I get out there and hear the crowd and hear the music start, I'm full of vinegar. It's a great feeling.
"I look forward to getting on stage and letting everything go. Like I said, I'm full of vinegar when I'm on the stage."
Jones has also been working on a new studio album, which will include a duet with country legend and good friend Tanya Tucker.
"I've got to keep trying new things so I won't get bored. "A couple of years ago, I was at Carnegie Hall (with Kris Kristofferson) and we had a big time. The place was packed and they don't hear a lot of country music in there.
"Give me something new and I'll try it. That's the way I've always been."
n George Jones plays the Moncton Coliseum on Wednesday, April 16. For more information phone 857-4100.