George Jones Statue Debuts At Ryman Icon Walk

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George Jones’s statue on the Ryman Auditorium’s Icon Walk. Photo: Catherine Powell

A statue honoring George Jones has been added to the Ryman Auditorium’s Icon Walk, joining the likenesses of Charley Pride, Loretta Lynn, Little Jimmy Dickens and Bill Monroe.

“Today, we add another legendary artist to the Ryman’s Icon Walk by bringing forth George Jones, who had a fabulous career and is revered as one of the greats,” says Ryman Hospitality Properties Executive Chairman Colin Reed at the statue’s unveiling. “The Ryman and the Opry were lucky to be a part of George’s story for so many years, so we feel it is only fitting to have George added here among these other stars who have made a lasting impression on country music.”

Pictured (L-R): RHP Executive Chairman Colin Reed, Nancy Jones, Jamey Johnson and Patrick Moore, CEO Opry Entertainment Group. Photo: Catherine Powell

The statue was created to honor Jones’s significant contributions to the historic venue and Music City, and Jones’s beloved wife Nancy and daughter Susan attended the unveiling, along with country music star Jamey Johnson, who honored Jones during the ceremony.

“The Ryman was one of George’s favorite places to play music,” says Nancy Jones. “He truly revered it as the ‘Mother Church’ and loved the acoustics. To have his legacy live on here permanently, and to see all the people who joined us today and continue to embrace him and his music, means so much to our family.”

The Ryman team collaborated once again with artist Ben Watts, the artist behind the existing four statues. Each statue takes approximately one year to complete and reflects the deep reverence for these trailblazers and their ties to the Mother Church of Country Music. Visitors can find Jones standing at the northwest corner of the building near the venue’s driveway on Fifth Avenue next to the likeness of Charley Pride, Loretta Lynn and Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass Music

Lorie Hollabaugh
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