Country music legend and world class eccentric George Jones has died at the age of 81.George specialized in “tears in my beer” weepers for an obvious reason: he was a drunk, albeit a charming one.
I used to hang out with a guy who knew George. Joe told me a story that I’ve never forgotten and I hope is true. George was a legendary drinker and carouser. He had his license suspended for a DWI. Surprise, surprise. George came up with a novel solution to his transportation issues: he drove his riding lawnmower to town. He was pulled over and asked for his license and George said: “You don’t need a license to drive this thing.” He was right. George offered to take a breathalyzer but the cops were so tickled by his audacity that they didn’t make him do it. My friend swore that George swore that he’d have passed the test.
Again, I have no idea if this ripping yarn was true or not but it’s a good one. Here are a few George Jones classics:
The story is true. At the 6:22 mark on this video –George Jones Interview – you’ll hear it from George himself. He says “a couple miles”. I thought somewhere else I read 8 miles.
Thanks. Just clicked a “5 things you should know about George Jones” thingee, which makes it sound like it was regular thing. Guess I coulda googled it but twas more fun writing it from memory.
This reminds me of the old stages of drunkenness: jocose, bellicose, morose, comatose. It sounds like he made it up to stage 3, but, like so many, had to pass through stages 1 and 2. Just as well he didn’t make it to stage 4.
Larry Gatlin told a version of this on CBS News last night. Apparently Mr. Jones did this more than once; he sold at least one lawnmower, too.