#GeorgeJones Album: Shine On Utgitt: 1983 Songwriters: Johnny MacRae and Bob Morrison Label: Epic Records Personnel Bass Guitar: Henry Strzelecki Dobro: Pete Drake Drums: Larrie Londin, Kenny Malone Guitar: Pete Bordonali, Billy Sanford, Bobby Thompson, Reggie Young Harmonica: Terry McMillan Keyboards: Bobby Ogdin, Hargus "Pig" Robbins Steel Guitar: Pete Drake, Weldon Myrick Shine On is an album by American country music artist George Jones, released in 1983 on the Epic Records label. Background Shine On was Jones's sixth album in three years, a prolific comeback that had been spearheaded by his 1980 single "He Stopped Loving Her Today". His chart success continued unabated in March 1983, with the album producing what turned out to be his last number one song "I Always Get Lucky With You". "Tennessee Whiskey" and the title track were also top five hits. The most remarkable thing about Jones during this period, considering how he had been abusing himself with alcohol and drugs, is how his voice did not give out on him; in fact, many believe his singing was at its zenith and, judging by the performances on Shine On (which peaked at number 7), he remained remarkably engaged. His performance on the Bobby Braddock song "She Hung The Moon" in particular is virtuosic, with producer Billy Sherrill providing a musical tapestry for the track that brings Frank Sinatra to mind (in an often-quoted tribute, Sinatra called Jones "the second best singer in America"). The album is also notable for the novelty "Ol' George Stopped Drinkin' Today", which - in addition to punning Jones's most famous song's title - pokes fun at his notorious reputation, much like his duet with Merle Haggard, "No Show Jones", did the year before. *** "Shine On (Shine All Your Sweet Love on Me)" is a song written by Johnny MacRae and Bob Morrison, and recorded by American country music artist George Jones. It was released in January 1983 as the first single from his album Shine On. The song peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. "Shine On" was Jones' sixth Top 10 solo hit in less than three years. The song also displayed some of the pop elements that producer Billy Sherrill would introduce into George's sound over the course of his next few albums. *** George Glenn Jones (September 12, 1931 – April 26, 2013) was an American musician, singer and songwriter. He achieved international fame for his long list of hit records, including his best known song "He Stopped Loving Her Today", as well as his distinctive voice and phrasing. For the last twenty years of his life, Jones was frequently referred to as the greatest living country singer. Country music scholar Bill Malone writes, "For the two or three minutes consumed by a song, Jones immerses himself so completely in its lyrics, and in the mood it conveys, that the listener can scarcely avoid becoming similarly involved." Waylon Jennings expressed a similar opinion in his song "It's Alright": "If we all could sound like we wanted to, we'd all sound like George Jones." The shape of his nose and facial features earned Jones the nickname "The Possum". Born in Texas, Jones first heard country music when he was seven and was given a guitar at the age of nine. He married his first wife, Dorothy Bonvillion, in 1950, and was divorced in 1951. He served in the United States Marine Corps and was discharged in 1953. He married Shirley Ann Corley in 1954. In 1959, Jones recorded "White Lightning", written by J. P. Richardson, which launched his career as a singer. His second marriage ended in divorce in 1968; he married fellow country music singer Tammy Wynette a year later. Years of alcoholism compromised his health and led to his missing many performances, earning him the nickname "No Show Jones".[4] After his divorce from Wynette in 1975, Jones married his fourth wife, Nancy Sepulvado, in 1983 and became sober for good in 1999. Jones died in 2013, aged 81, from hypoxic respiratory failure. During his career, Jones had more than 150 hits, both as a solo artist and in duets with other artists. Robert Christgau has called him "honky-tonk's greatest honky". ***

• published: 10 Feb 2014
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