George Jones Has Strong Words for Carrie and Taylor
Posted Nov 3rd 2009 12:30PM by Gayle Richardson Comments [0]   Print |  Email More   George Jones says he's been robbed. Not of his personal belongings, but of something perhaps even more valuable: his role as a country singer. Referring to some of today's biggest stars, including Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift, the country legend tells the Associated Press, "they've stolen our identity." And, he maintains, they need to give it back and move on to another genre. "They had to use something that was established already, and that's traditional country music. So what they need to do really, I think, is find their own title, because they're definitely not traditional country music." George, who recently spoke out against modern country radio, says he still sees hope in some of the current chart-toppers. "It's good to know that we still do traditional country...
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George JonesGeorge Jones says he's been robbed. Not of his personal belongings, but of something perhaps even more valuable: his role as a country singer.

Referring to some of today's biggest stars, including Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift, the country legend tells the Associated Press, "they've stolen our identity." And, he maintains, they need to give it back and move on to another genre. "They had to use something that was established already, and that's traditional country music. So what they need to do really, I think, is find their own title, because they're definitely not traditional country music."

George, who recently spoke out against modern country radio, says he still sees hope in some of the current chart-toppers. "It's good to know that we still do traditional country music. Alan Jackson still does it, so does George Strait. We still have it, and there's quite a few of us that are going to hope that it comes back one of these days."

Current country artists aren't the only ones the Possum is going after. Asked if he would ever branch out into another style of music, like heavy metal or rap, the Hall of Famer lashed out in response. "Rap? That's tacky ... how can you call that music? Now, I love music, too. I love all kinds. I really do. I've got Brook Benton. I like his singing. Ray Charles. I've got an open mind. But now, you can't call rap, talking stuff like that, music. No, no, no, you've got to have another name for that."

The 78-year old, whose career has already spanned six decades, still has one goal for his future ... and it isn't retirement. "Only thing I would like to keep accomplishing is music for my fans and achieving some goals to keep them happy with what I record in the future," says George. "I've done just about everything else. The good Lord's been good to me ... I'm going to enjoy the rest of my life."

George recently released 'A Collection of My Best Recollection' exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores. He joins a long list of artists, including Montgomery Gentry, Sara Evans and most recently Alan Jackson who have inked exclusive deals with the restaurant chain.
 
 
 
 
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  • nashvillegirl94 nashvillegirl94 commented | 13 days ago
     
    Although I have much respect for George Jones as an artist, I also wonder why he's ignoring the evolution of country music. Just because a Carrie Underwood song doesn't sound like a George Jones song doesn't mean it's not country. It just means country music is keeping up with the times, and it has reaped dividends from doing so. The audience has opened up and the record sales are proof that country music is a good place to be these days. George should be proud of a genre he was a founding father of because it's doing so well, not make comments that make him appear to be jealous or bitter.
     
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  • Tony Tony commented | 16 days ago
     
    George Jones may be a country music legend and an expert lawn mower driver, but he ought to concentrate on his own music and not try and get free press bashing Taylor and Carrie. The word JEALOUSY comes to mind. Good grief. What's he going to want next, a stimulus check? Traditional country music will also be loved and cherished, but you can't stop other stars who also have a way of touching your heart and soul. George Jones should know better.
     
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  • rauljr316 rauljr316 commented | 16 days ago
     
    George Hones is off his rocker accusing Taylor and and Carrie that they are not Country singers. Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood are contry singers to the fullest. And these ladies has raised Country Music to its highest levels ever. George Jones shut your mouth, Taylor and Carrie are Country. Long Live Country Music!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
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  • Taylor and Carrie Fanatic Taylor and Carrie Fanatic commented | 16 days ago
     
    It is really impossible to just bash Carrie and Taylor for not singing traditional country because just about all of it is not traditional country now a days. But who cares??? Country has always had Country/Pop its not something new. Shania Twain, John Denver, Eddie Rabbit, Dolly Parton, any of those names ring a bell??!!! All of them were considered too Pop when they were in the prime of their careers, and now look at them, they are considered legends of Country Music!! ANd i just want to say i don't really care what kind of country music it is, as long as it is classified as country music i will always love it!! Long Live Country Music!!!!!!
     
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  • Classics&CurrentsFan Classics&CurrentsFan commented | 17 days ago
     
    Jones needs to shut his mouth. I love the man's music, but why keep complaining about the "identity crisis" in country music. Face it, George, NOTHING stays the same. Carrie had the guts to cover a Randy Travis classic and make it her own. Randy even said her version was better than his.
     
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  • flower flower commented | 17 days ago
     
    george is so wrong these 2 taylor and carrie have brought so many people to country music that had never listen to it before!!! taylor has alot of younger people follow her at first and now taylor has all ages from little on up to people in their 80's my grandmother is 83 and she and her older friends love taylor!!!! and some like cu to!maybe george is hurting for money so the best way to get back on the music scene is to cut down the 2 who are making all of the headlines!! he needs to stay retired!
     
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  • Truthsayer Truthsayer commented | 17 days ago
     
    George Jones is country music,the two girls are driven by a pop talent show for carrie and a following by a bunch of teenie boppers for taylor,both talented but not country music.
     
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  • taylorfan taylorfan commented | 17 days ago
     
    Boy is it just me or anyone else when somebody has truth in on screen name they usually say alot of garbage. Its the old arugment oldschool vs newschool and old school usually loses thats your and mr jones opinion but its funny to me where george picks on right now taylor@ carrie two of most sucessful women rightnow in country music hey what bout faith, miranda, sara. Nobody will ever win the arugment of whos pop of country. the insult is that your opinion is god owenst truth in reality its not. Finally music evolves
     
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  • 1PureCountryGirl1 1PureCountryGirl1 commented | 18 days ago
     
    Obviously he's off the wagon or off something to make such accusations against these women..

    Go away tru... besides 'Pop' isn't a genre.. and BOTH Taylor and Carrie are country.
     
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  • Truthsayer Truthsayer commented | 18 days ago
     
    George Jones did not insult these ladies. He was merely speaking the truth. They are not country music entertainers. Some of their fan base crosses over, but their music does not represent Country Music. And, why is this insulting to anyone? If they're pop, then, they're pop. That should not be an insult, unless, you their fans, want so badly for them to be Country, in which case, how on earth, do you not know who George Jones is and the contribution he, in fact, made to Country Music? Taylor's best move would be to move on to the Pop scene, where she really fits in.
     
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  • Chumba1k Chumba1k commented | 18 days ago
     
    Poor George. He's supposedly 'on the wagon' now but I think his many years of... have burned out a few brain cells.
     
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  • SmittyLC23 SmittyLC23 commented | 18 days ago
     
    haha for real. i've never even heard of him until this mess.
     
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  • 1PureCountryGirl1 1PureCountryGirl1 commented | 18 days ago
     
    Yes splatshot it looks as if GJ is name dropping! WHAT NERVE! It's not the women's fault he apparently can't sale an album!
     
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  • SmittyLC23 SmittyLC23 commented | 18 days ago
     
    he may be sexist. cant take that country music is being takin over by women.
     
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  • taylorfan taylorfan commented | 18 days ago
     
    what was the point to this whats your agenda you said that carrie and taylor have stolen the idenity of what.
     
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  • tommy tommy commented | 18 days ago
     
    well george get use to it because taylor and carrie are here to stay AND you know what something good came out of this carrie fans and taylor fans came together as one to protect them its about time.GEORGE GEORGE GEORGE COUNTRY MUSIC IS CHANGING FOR THE BETTER. just cause you don't agree with it doesn't mean a thing everything changes and so does music TAKE for example there is no way in hell i'd lisen to your records or even go to your concerts but the music today in country i do lisen to and do go to concerts so what does that say CHANGE OR forever hold you piece and one more thing never ever put taylor or carrie down beacause there is a RATHE that you could never ever want and predict from the taylor fans and carrie fans another words keep your pie hole shut COCKROACH
     
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  • SmittyLC23 SmittyLC23 commented | 18 days ago
     
    his jealousy made him stoop down to that level. what a shame!
     
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  • JustLovesCountry JustLovesCountry commented | 18 days ago
     
    Even though I am a Carrie fan I still like Taylor and feel she is extremely talented and will leave one of those legacy's in country like Garth etc. But this article is outrageous and I just wanted you all to know we all feel that way. Also good luck at the awards Sunday. I know this is a very special very night for you all. Take care... someone who loves Country no matter what or who.
     
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  • taylorfan taylorfan commented | 18 days ago
     
    Mr jones you had done alot for country music but to say this is a really cheap shot. Well is taylor @ carrie the onlytwo that in your mind doesnt sing traditional country music what bout faith , miranda , sara evans or the rest of the fine women today in cm. Youre going after carrie @ taylor because the two of them right now are the most sucessful you think hey i talk trash about both them this will get me back in the spotlight for shame desparte acts from desparte people
     
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  • Melissa1978_1 Melissa1978_1 commented | 18 days ago
     
    Like I said at Carrie's board he needs to concentrate on his own life instead of every little thing Carrie and Taylor are doing.
     
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