The King Is Gone... but definitely not forgotten!! When George Jones passed away in 2013, a flood of tributes came out of Nashville and beyond, though as you can see below, folks have been honoring Ol' Possum for years. Here's a sampling of tribute album and songs devoted to the world's greatest country singer. And if I missed any, feel free to let me know!

George Jones/Various Artists "George Jones And Friends: 50th Anniversary Tribute Concert" (New West, 2007)

Barry Burke & Jim Foster "Once More With Feeling" (D Records) (LP)

James & Laura Hollie "Classic Country: Our Tribute To George Jones And Tammy Wynette" (Blas Records, 2012)
A 3-song EP, including "He Stopped Loving Her Today," "Beer Run," and a duet version of "Golden Ring."

Shooter Jennings "Don't Wait Up (For George)" (Black Country Rock, 2014)
Here's one that comes to us from Waylon's boy, Shooter. This five-song EP has original material such as the title track, "Don't Wait Up (I'm Playin' Possum)" along with covers of classics from the Jones catalog. Now, I'm all in favor of honoring ol' George, but I'm still just not feeling it with Shooter. I mean, how could anyone possibly get a song like "She Thinks I Still Care" so very, very wrong, or give such a blaring, bland rock arrangement to a tune like "The Door"? I know he's doing well and has lots of devoted fans, but I just don't find Shooter to have the gravitas to pull off the whole honkytonk rebel/outlaw icon thing. Maybe it's a generational difference... but maybe not. See for yourself.

The Mick Lloyd Connection "George Jones Tribute EP" (Pie Piper Records, 2012)
A 3-song EP, including "He Stopped Loving Her Today," "Beer Run," and a duet version of "Golden Ring."

Johnny Paycheck "Tribute To George Jones" (K-Tel, 1996)

Don Rich "...Sings George Jones" (Omnivore, 2013)
A true master of twang, the late Don Rich helped define the "Bakersfield Sound," working as Buck Owens' guitarist throughout the 1960s, and as the leader of the Hee Haw house band in the late '60s and early '70s. Rich was the consummate sideman, but other than several mainly-instrumental albums with the Buckaroos, he never emerged as a solo star. Rich died tragically young in a 1974 motorcycle accident, although he did record one solo album, a George Jones tribute recorded in 1970, though sadly shelved by the label and left in the vaults until now. Finally, four decades later, twangfans and Buckaholics can hear this robust, rootsy outing, where Rich blasts his way through a dozen bouncy old classics from the early Jones canon. As a singer, Rich isn't really on par with Owens, but he's got the same down-home charm and the music will have a familiar irresistible appeal. Good-natured, melodic honky-tonk with a few rough edges -- apparently just enough to scare off the record execs in the countrypolitan era, but definitely the right amount for the hard-country true believers of today. Highly recommended!

Hal Sherfey "Wild Irish Rose: Reverences Of George Jones" (Pie Piper Records, 2003)

Leona Williams "By George This Is... A Tribute To George Jones" (Ah-Ha!, 2012)