George Jones to perform at Shooting Star Casino

George Jones

Country music legend George Jones will perform at 8 p.m. Nov. 12 at Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen, Minn., the Herald reported Thursday.

Here’s part of the Herald’s story:

Jones’ East Texas rockabilly roots took him from the honky-tonk circuit to the Grand Ole Opry and beyond. He scored his first Top 5 hit, “Why Baby Why,” in 1955 and, in 2008, along with Morgan Freeman, Barbra Streisand and three others, was recognized at the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, D.C.

His No. 1 hits include “Tender Years,” “She Thinks I Still Care,” “White Lightning,” “The Race Is On” and “(I don’t need no) Rocking Chair.” Tickets will go on sale at 9 a.m. Oct. 11 for $25 to $55. Info: (800) 313-7469.

I used to hate George Jones – I blame my little brother’s childhood obsession with Jones as the reason for that hatred. (George Jones was always playing somewhere in my house throughout middle school and high school). But he really is a country legend, and his 1980 No. 1 hit “He Stopped Loving Her Today” has been named by several surveys as the greatest country song of all time. I disagree with that claim – I think that Tammy Wynette’s “Stand by Your Man” should have that title. Either way, Jones’ monster country hit is a pretty great song, and his music has been a major influence on country music for more than half a century.