The Grand Tour: The Life and Music of George Jones

Kienzle (Southwest Shuffle) conducts a dazzling, somber, often sad, but always candid tour of the legendary life and award-winning music of George Jones. Drawing deeply on interviews with Jones's friends, family members, and fellow musicians, as well as archival records, Kienzle delivers a cracking good story of the singer whose visceral interpretations of songs not only won him awards but earned him nicknames like "the Rolls-Royce of country singers." Kienzle traces Jones's Texas childhood as the son of a hard-drinking, music-loving father and a deeply religious mother, his early days on Starday Records, and his three marriages%E2%80%94including his marriage to Nancy Ford Sepulvado, who in many ways saved his life and his career, and his tumultuous relationship with Tammy Wynette. The book also covers his struggle with alcoholism, which led to his infamous string of canceled appearances (leading to the nickname "No-Show Jones") as well as his legendary trip on his lawn mower from his house to the local liquor store. Kienzle weaves stories about Jones's songs with stories of Jones's life, creating a richly colorful tapestry. This moving biography keeps Jones's voice alive and underscores his central role in American music history. Agent: David Dunton, Harvey Klinger. (Apr.)