LEGENDS OF THE LONGHORN

George Jones

George Jones, widely considered the greatest country singer of all time, had a tumultuous career that spanned seven decades. A legendary honky-tonk figure, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, Jones’s life was defined by both soaring success and profound personal struggle. His first #1 hit, “White Lightning,” ironically foreshadowed a career often overshadowed by his struggles with alcoholism, which earned him the nickname “No Show Jones.” 

From his highly publicized marriage and divorce from Tammy Wynette to periods of total destitution, Jones didn’t just perform country songs—he lived them. Yet, his legacy remains anchored by his incomparable voice and a catalog of iconic hits, including “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” “The Grand Tour,” and “The Race Is On.”

One venue where Jones always performed was the legendary Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas, Texas. He graced its stage both as a solo act and alongside his then-wife Tammy Wynette. While the ballroom was central to his performance career, its most pivotal moment for Jones occurred off-stage.

During a visit to Dallas in the 1960s, Jones met with the venue’s owner, Dewey Groom, in his tiny office inside the Ballroom. Groom, a musician and producer himself, played several song demos for Jones. Unimpressed by the initial tracks, Jones was ready to leave until Groom convinced him to listen to just one more.

Groom played Jimmie Gray’s demo for “The Race Is On,” and after hearing the opening lines, Jones immediately exclaimed, “I’ll take it!” He recorded and released the song in 1964, and it became a massive crossover hit—a rare achievement for a country single at the time.