More than just the voice of heartbreak, he once appeared as a true cowboy on horseback with a guitar in hand.
George Jones is best remembered as “The Possum” – the man whose voice could bring tears to millions. His career was defined by timeless heartbreak songs, from He Stopped Loving Her Today to A Good Year for the Roses. Yet, in rare moments, George Jones embodied a very different image – that of a Southern cowboy, both simple and iconic.
A rarely seen side
Few fans know that George Jones once posed in promotional photos dressed in a sparkling suit, seated on horseback with a guitar in hand. This was far from his usual image – audiences often pictured him standing solemnly before a microphone. That’s why these photographs are treasures for country fans, revealing a hidden layer of the legend.
Music and country roots intertwined
Country music is more than just songs; it’s a lifestyle deeply rooted in the South. For George Jones, sitting on horseback with a guitar was his way of affirming that his rural heritage remained at the heart of who he was. The photos capture the cowboy spirit: strong, lonesome, but also honest and approachable.
The striking contrast
In his music, George Jones was the voice of sorrow and broken love. But in these cowboy images, we see a lighter man, even playful in spirit. That contrast makes his legacy richer – proving he was not only the “king of sad songs” but also a cowboy proud of his country roots.
A forgotten piece of his legacy
Today, when people speak of George Jones, they recall his immortal voice and turbulent life. Rarely do they mention his cowboy image. Yet these photos remind us that country music has always been tied to rural soil, to barns and horses, to cowboys carrying guitars. In George Jones, all of that lived on – even if only captured in a handful of rare photographs.
Suggested listening: The Race Is On – one of George Jones’ livelier songs, a perfect echo of his rare cowboy spirit.