As has already been noted, George Jones had a significant influence on bluegrass music, most notably on those whose voice was still being formed in the early days of bluegrass.
Rhonda Vincent has praised him for helping her to find hers.
As for Jones himself, typical of country music performers, then as now, he recorded an album of bluegrass songs, Bluegrass Hootenanny, with one of his singing partners, Melba Montgomery.
Jones sang with a couple of bluegrass stars, most notably with Ralph Stanley. Two such recordings appear on the latter’s Saturday Night and Sunday Morning album; Wonderful World Outside and Angel Band; and with The Grascals – Don’t Tell Mama on their Long List of Heartaches album.
Such was Jones’s liking for Ralph Stanley that he recorded How Could I Dream Such a Dream? for the A Special Tribute To A Living Legend – Dr. Ralph Stanley album.
Jones was a big influence on many bluegrass performers and several have recorded his music. Here’s a selection of songs:
The Grand Tour – Steve Gulley – Sounds Like Home
Beneath Still Waters – The Osborne Brothers – Country Roads
When the Grass Grows Over Me – The Osborne Brothers – The Osborne Brothers
Also recorded by Shannon Slaughter – The Sideman Steps Out
Golden Ring – Kati Penn – My Turn to Cry
Also recorded by Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out – Timeless Hits from the Past; Dry Branch Fire Squad – Tried And True
Don’t Stop the Music – Del McCoury & the Dixie Pals – Livin’ On the Mountain
Color Of the Blues – Bob Paisley & the Southern Grass – Bob Paisley & the Southern Grass
Also recorded by James King – Thirty Years Of Farming; and Bill Grant & Delia Bell – We’re Not The Jet Set
After the Fire Is Gone – Delia Bell & Bill Grant – 40 Years Of Memories
Also recorded by Pam Gadd – Benefit of Doubt; and Bobby Osborne & the Rocky Top X-Press – Bluegrass And Beyond
Flame In My Heart – Delia Bell & Bill Grant – Dreaming
Also recorded by Stoney Lonesome – Blue Heartache; Alice Gerrard – Pieces Of My Heart; James King – Thirty Years Of Farming
Queen For A Day – Sidesaddle & Co; and James King – Thirty Years Of Farming
Choices – The Grascals – Keep on Walkin’
I’d Jump the Mississippi – Kathy Kallick Band – Walkin’ In My Shoes
Also recorded by Kenny & Amanda Smith Band – Live & Learn; Sidesaddle & Co – Queen For A Day
Old, Old House — Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys – The Weary Traveler
Also recorded by Grass Cats – 9 Lives and More; and Russell Moore Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out – Back To The Mac; and Peter Rowan – Walls Of Time.
One Woman Man – Jimmy Martin – One Woman Man
White Lightning – The Grascals – Country Classics with a Bluegrass Spin
Seasons of My Heart – Del McCoury Band – Blue Side Of Town
Also recorded by Hylo Brown – Hylo Brown Meets the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers
I Cried Myself Awake – Dwight McCall – Kentucky Peace Of Mind
Also recorded by The Special Consensus – 35
Love Bug – Lost and Found – January Rain
Why Baby Why – Sawtooth Bluegrass Band – Bluegrass Honky Tonk
Also recorded by Virginia Squires – Hard Times & Heartaches
When the Phone Don’t Ring It’ll Be Me – James King – Lonesome and Then Some
I’ve Got a New Heartache – Jim & Jesse and the Virginia Boys – Our Kind Of Country
We Must Have Been Out Of Our Minds – Suzanne Thomas – Dear Friends & Gentle Hearts
Also recorded by Bill Grant & Delia Bell – In England; Michelle Nixon & Drive – What More Should I Say?; and Joe Isaacs – Dreaming Of Home; Jim & Jesse Our Kind Of Country
You Done Me Wrong – Johnson Mountain Boys – Blue Diamond
The Race is On – Summer Wages – Summer Wages
No Blues Is Good News – Charlie Sizemore – Good News
Walk Through This World with Me – Seldom Scene – Old Train
Also recorded by Nothin’ Fancy – #7
Lonely Street – Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver – Lonely Street
Also recorded by The Grascals – The Grascals
The Window Up Above – The Lost & Found – It’s About Time
Also recorded by The Stanley Brothers – Early Starday-King Years 1958-1961; and Ralph Stanley – Clinch Mountain Country
Talk To Me Lonesome Heart – Larry Stephenson – 20th Aniversary
Nothin’ Can Stop My Loving You – Bluegrass Cardinals – Cardinal Soul
Waltz of the Angels – Charlie Waller & the Country Gentlemen – New Horizon
Lastly, Jimmy Martin paid his own tribute to George Jones with Play Me Some George Jones Songs from the 12 Memories from Jimmy Martin to Us album.
If we missed a few, which I’m sure we have, please share them in the comments.
