There’s a close-knit sense of community in country music. One powerful demonstration of that came in 1999, when aging singer George Jones was told he had to perform only a very abbreviated version of his hit song “Choices.”
Frustrated, the singer opted not to perform at all, which was a great loss to his fans and fellow musicians, as many considered him a contender for the finest male country singer of his time.
Alan Jackson, who would go on to pen the stirring post-9-11 anthem “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?”, was disgusted with the way a legend like Jones had been treated.
After he got up to perform his own song, “Pop a Top,” he abruptly shifted into a performance of “Choices” in homage to Jones. While this decision drew some criticism, many looked upon the gesture as a classy move.
Jackson’s insistence on giving Jones his due is a good reminder of the importance of treating one’s mentors with respect. Jones helped to pave the way for artists like Jackson, and country music owes him a debt.
While Jones has since died, his great music lives on, thanks in part to the effort of younger singer-songwriters like Jackson who have helped keep his legacy going.
