NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) The George Jones tribute concert opened Friday night with Big & Rich riding onto the stage on lawn mowers. Sam Moore serenaded Jones' widow, Nancy. And Megadeth rocked in memory of "King George."
Dozens of artists from all over the musical map participated in "Playin' Possum: The Final No Show," a marathon salute to Jones at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. The show was originally planned as Jones' final performance of his last tour, but the revered vocalist and Country Music Hall of Fame member passed away in April at 81.
"During the funeral, we mourned George," host Keith Bilbery said. "Tonight we celebrate him."
Many of the performers who took the stage had already committed to perform with Jones, and dozens more signed on after his death. Country stars such as Garth Brooks and George Strait rubbed elbows backstage with fans who came from farther afield, including Kid Rock and Styx's Tommy Shaw.
Jones' rocking chair was placed stage right symbolically, and a sold-out crowd of 16,000 listened to stars play their favorites with the help of Jones' touring band and a teleprompter. The performances ranged from faithful renditions of hits like Alan Jackson's take on "He Stopped Loving Her Today," Strait and Martina McBride's "Grand Tour" to Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton's "I Barely Get By" and Moore's "Blues Man." But the show also featured unlikely teamups like Megadeth and Jamey Johnson taking on "Wild Irish Rose."