I'm sad. As most of you know by now, the great country singer George Jones died today. Why does it make me so sad? I don't know. It's not like I was a huge fan. I don't even have a George Jones CD.
He was one of my mom and dad's favorites. Especially when he was married to Tammy Wynette. I think part of my sadness is it feels like the dying of an era. Most of today's country music doesn't remotely resemble the old stuff. The stuff I grew up listening to. Hank Williams, Flatt & Scrugs, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn.When I heard the news this morning, my mind went back to my dad sitting in his chair after work, drinking a tall, cold can of Schlitz beer and telling me to put a record on. I would rifle through his albums (all country music) and pick out one. He didn't care which it was, he just wanted to hear some sad ballad. Maybe to make him feel better about his life. The person in the song always seemed to have it worse off. Or maybe it made dad feel like he wasn't the only one struggling with demons.
I know, I know, I sound old. It's not that I don't like some of the new stuff. Love Blake Shelton. Hate Taylor Swift.
Fans of Ol' Possum will know why I have a picture of a riding lawn mower. Rest in Peace No Show Jones.
