NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The country music world reacted with deep emotion upon learning of the death of legendary singer George Jones. Here's a sampling of quotes and tweets about Jones:
"The world has lost the greatest country singer of all time. Amen." — Merle Haggard
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"He was a true innovator. Nobody could sing like George Jones. Everyone who could imitate him did. I wrote and recorded a song, "Bartender's Blues," as a tribute and, in an instance of life-imitating-art, George recorded it and asked me to harmonize. It was the second dream come true of my career. He was easy and kind and I'll never forget him. Luckily, he recorded a lot of music; so he'll always be with us..." — James Taylor
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"We're just going to miss George so much. This came as a total shock to me ... and to the whole music industry. It's going to be a big void not having George out there. But you know we've got his music and that music will last forever. He did a lot of crazy things in his career, and no matter how crazy he got everybody still loved him. That's just the kind of guy that George was. We're just going to miss him. It's a sad day for the music business, for sure.
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"Well, heaven better get ready for some great country music. While George was known for his wild and crazy days, I've known him for 25 years as a friend. He had grown into a real good man. Of course, he will always be the greatest singer and interpreter of real country music - there'll never be another. — Alan Jackson
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"The greatest voice to ever grace country music will never die. Jones has a place in every heart that ever loved any kind of music." — Garth Brooks
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"The greatest country blues singer to ever live." — Ronnie Dunn
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"It's a sad day for country music and a great loss for those of us who knew him. I was blessed to call George my friend. He was one of the best country singers there ever was. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Nancy, and all of his family. It's a sad, sad day." — Loretta Lynn
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"My heart is absolutely broken. George Jones was my all time favorite singer and one of my favorite people in the world. My heart goes out to Nancy and all his family and friends." — Dolly Parton
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"George Jones and I happen to share the same birthday. The first and only time I met him (which I believe was at the Opry if my memory serves me), I told him that. His response, 'You must be trouble.' Takes one to know one, I am so proud to say. George, his music and his mischievous trouble, will all be missed. He is a country legend." — Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland
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"I believe if you ask any singer who was the greatest country music singer of all time, they would say 'George Jones'. He was without question and by far the BEST! I first met and worked with him when I was 13 years old; I am so very grateful that he was my friend." — Barbara Mandrell
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"If I'm blessed enough to make it there, I look forward to you giving me the grand tour. Rest in peace George Jones!!!!!" — Keith Urban via Twitter
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"George Jones' life is an example of so many wonderful things: How someone's God-given gifts can make this a richer, better place. How one human being can overcome adversity, addiction, and life threatening obstacles time and time again. That it is not the stumble or fall that counts, but the willingness to stand again. How a keen sense of humor and a twinkle in a person's eye can still prevail even after all of life's hard knocks. How mistakes, missteps, and bad choices are not the end of the world if a person chooses to turn them into something good. And George's life is above all the strongest example of how the love of a great woman can get a man through anything. All of this made its way beautifully into every note of the greatest voice country music will ever know. And one of the greatest friends you could ever have. We miss you already George." — Brad Paisley
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"He had a voice that was the truth, raw and unfiltered. You can't get any realer, any more tortured or any more alive. No one can do what George Jones does, and that's why 50 years later, he still stands out as one of the greatest singers in any genre of all time." — Kenny Chesney
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"George Jones was my friend and I loved him." — Trace Adkins
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"Such a sad day ... May you Rest in Peace George Jones." — Sheryl Crow via Twitter
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"Really REALLY bad news. We've lost a country music legend. And I've lost a hero and a friend. Goodbye George Jones ..." — Blake Shelton via Twitter
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"I feel such a personal loss of not only one of the greatest vocal influences of my life, but also I've lost a dear friend. Visits with George have always been full of joy and laughter. Every time I would see him, George would always greet me with a funny story or a joke! His legacy will put his name at the top of the most influential artists in history, right along with Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings. His voice will be influencing singers 100 years from now and beyond!" — Travis Tritt
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
