“Throughout my career I have made lots of friends,” says Jones.  “I would not have had a career that lasted 50 years without all of these great radio personalities.  They always were so good to me and always made me feel like I was somebody whether I had a song on the radio or not.  I am forever grateful to them.”

In addition, country legend Barbara Mandrell will make a rare appearance to celebrate George Jones’ career. “I love Barbara!  She asked me to sing on her song “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” in 1981 and that song soon became a #1 record for us.  I was honored to be part of her Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony a few years ago, as she is just one of the greatest singers of all time,” adds Jones.   “She is not just a good singer, but she is my good friend.  I am so happy that Barbara is coming to the Nashville show.”

Although still 8 months away, the sure-to-be unforgettable show is already gearing up to be a star-studded event with some historical moments and lots of surprises.   More artists will continue to be announced.

George Jones, often referred to as the “the greatest living country singer” will mark the end of an era with 2013’s farewell tour titled “The Grand Tour”. The tour is expected to make approximately 60 stops this year. “I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair”, “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes”, “White Lightning” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today” will surely be part of each night’s set list, along with plenty of guests and surprises.

George Jones on Tour
03/15 – Joliet, IL – Rialto Square Theater
03/16 – Muncie, IN – Emens Auditorium
03/22 – Chattanooga, TN – Memorial Auditorium
03/23 – Evansville, IN – The Centre
04/06 – Knoxville, TN – Knoxville Coliseum
04/19 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theater
04/20 – Salem, VA – Salem Civic Center
04/27 – Huntsville, AL – Mark C. Smith Concert Hall
05/17 – Charlottesville, VA – John Paul Jones Arena
05/18 – Spartanburg, SC – Memorial Auditorium
06/01 – North Tonawanda, NY – Riviera Theater
06/02 – Lancaster, PA – American Music Theater
06/14 – Midland, TX  – Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center
06/15 – Albuquerque, NM – Route 66 Casino
06/28 – Rome, GA – The Forum
06/29 – Columbus, GA – Civic Center
07/26 – Pittsburgh, PA – Palace Theater
07/27 – Cherokee, NC – Harrah’s Casino
08/02 – Columbus, OH – Ohio State Fair
08/03 – Watertown, NY – Watertown Fairgrounds Arena
08/22 – Penn Forest Township, PA – Penns Peak
08/23 – Myrtle Beach, SC – Alabama Theater
09/13 – Biloxi, MS – IP Casino
09/14 – Marksville, LA – Paragon Casino
09/27 – Prior Lake, MN – Mystic Lake Casino
09/28 – Milwaukee, WI – Potawatomi Casino
10/11 – Branson, MO – The Oak Ridge Boys Theatre
10/25 – Mt. Pleasant, MI – Soaring Eagle Casino
10/26 – Bowling Green, KY – SKY Performing Arts Center
11/09 – Grant, OK – Choctaw Event Center
11/10 – Branson, MO – The Oak Ridge Boys Theatre
11/22 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena

About George Jones
George Jones is the #2 best-charting country artist of all time, with a staggering list of hit singles since the ‘50s.  The Beaumont, Texas, native also has 143 Top 40 hits to his name, has received two Grammy Awards, was a 2008 Kennedy Center Honor recipient, is a Country Music Hall of Fame member, was presented with a GRAMMY® Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 and holds a National Medal of Arts.  At 81, Jones continues to be an active country music superstar who has influenced so many of today’s hottest country artists.

For more information on George Jones, please visit www.georgejones.com