Huntsville, Ala. (May 20, 2025) – The Von Braun Center (VBC) and Nancy Jones, widow of country music icon George Jones, are proud to announce that Still Playin’ Possum: Music & Memories of George Jones won a prestigious Emmy® Award for Special Event Coverage at the 39th Annual Midsouth Emmy Awards.
Recorded live at the sold-out VBC Propst Arena on April 25, 2023, the concert was a star-studded tribute to the life and legacy of George Jones, marking the 10th anniversary of his passing. The evening featured performances by country legends and contemporary stars, including Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Tanya Tucker, Wynonna, Travis Tritt, Jelly Roll, Jamey Johnson, Sara Evans, Lorrie Morgan, Trace Adkins, and many more. The show aired nationally on PBS as part of its Great Performances series.
“This event was an unforgettable celebration of one of country music’s greatest voices,” said Nancy Jones, who served as Executive Producer of the special. “I am so happy! This is the first award I have won, and to receive it honoring George is just wonderful.”
The concert also had a meaningful impact on the local community, raising over $80,000 for the families of Huntsville Police Officers Garrett Crumby and Albert Morin, who were tragically shot in the line of duty just one month prior. Donations came from the auction of autographed guitars, exclusive ticket packages, and direct contributions.
“This Emmy win is a tremendous honor—not just for the VBC, but for the entire Huntsville community,” said VBC Executive Director Steve Maples. “Hosting this nationally broadcast event and seeing it recognized on such a prestigious stage is a testament to the caliber of experiences we strive to bring to North Alabama. We’re incredibly proud to have played a part in preserving George Jones’ legacy while showcasing the heart of Huntsville.”
From a tourism and economic development perspective, Still Playin’ Possum was among the top five highestgrossing events in the Von Braun Center’s then 48-year history, bringing an estimated $1.2 million in economic impact to downtown Huntsville.
To celebrate the win, Nancy hosted a celebration party in her home where she presented each performer, along with representatives from the VBC who managed the event, with a customized individual Emmy® Award for each person’s contribution to the event’s success.
Still Playin’ Possum: Music & Memories of George Jones is available for streaming on PBS platforms through June 30, 2025.
About George Jones:
Born September 12, 1931, Jones is regarded among the most important and influential singers in American popular music history. He was the singer of enduring country music hits including “She Thinks I Still Care,” “The Grand Tour,” “Walk Through This World With Me,” “Tender Years” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” the latter of which is often at the top of industry lists of the greatest country music singles of all time.
Jones was born in Saratoga, Texas, and he played on the streets of Beaumont for tips as a teenager. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps before returning to Texas and recording for the Starday label in Houston, Texas. In 1955, his “Why Baby Why” became his first Top 10 country single, peaking at number four and beginning a remarkable commercial string: Jones would ultimately record more than 160 charting singles, more than any other artist in any format in the history of popular music.
Jones’ first number one hit came in 1959 with “White Lightning,” a Mercury Records single that topped Billboard country charts for five weeks. He moved on to United Artists and then to Musicor, notching hits including “She Thinks I Still Care,” “The Race Is On,” “A Good Year for the Roses” and “Walk Through This World With Me.”
Jones signed with Epic Records in 1971 and worked with producer Billy Sherrill to craft a sound at once elegant and rooted, scoring with “The Grand Tour,” “Bartenders Blues” and many more. Sherrill also produced duets between Jones and his then-wife Tammy Wynette, and in the 1970s they scored top-charting hits including “We’re Gonna Hold On,” “Golden Ring” and “Near You.”
By the time “Golden Ring” and “Near You” hit in 1976, Jones and Wynette were divorced, and Jones was battling personal demons. His solo career cooled until 1980, when he recorded “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” a ballad penned by Curly Putman and Bobby Braddock that helped Jones win Country Music Association prizes for best male vocal and top single. “He Stopped Loving Her Today” revived a flagging career, and Jones won the CMA’s top male vocalist award in 1980 and 1981. He also earned a Grammy for best male country vocal performance.
In 1983, Jones married the former Nancy Ford Sepulvado. The union, he repeatedly said, began his rehabilitation from drugs and alcohol and prolonged his life. He signed with MCA Records in 1990 and began a successful run, and he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1992. His guest vocal on Patty Loveless’ “You Don’t Seem To Miss Me” won a CMA award for top vocal event in 1998, and it became his final Top 20 country hit.
In 1999, Jones nearly died in a car wreck, but he recovered and resumed touring and recording. He remained a force in music until his death, playing hundreds of shows in the new century and collecting the nation’s highest arts award, the Kennedy Center Honor for lifetime achievement, in 2008. In 2013, the Grand Ole Opry member passed away.
