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:
