A collection of Gospel favorites by George Jones, entitled 'Amazing Grace,' is set to release on September 10, only months after his death, through Bandit Records.
In 2002, Jones talked legendary producer, Billy Sherrill, into coming out of retirement in order to help him record this new Gospel collection. Eleven years later, the album is finally set to release, however, Jones was unfortunately unable to see it release within his lifetime.
Jones died on April 26 of this year after fever and irregular blood pressure landed him in a hospital in Nashville. He died at the age of 81, surrounded by family and friends.
The new album will be released just two days before what would have been Jones' 82nd Birthday. It represents the last in a history of collaborative works by Jones and Sherrill. In addition, this album marks the first album that Jones has recorded the is entirely Gospel, rather than isolated songs mixed with other, more secular works.
In addition to new Gospel recordings, the upcoming album will feature the song, 'Great Judgement Morning,' from Jones' Bradely Barn recording sessions. It was produced by Brian Ahern in 1994 and features guest vocals by Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, Travis Tritt, Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart and Connie Smith.
Jones had always loved Gospel music and had hoped to be involved in it in some way during his lifetime. "I've always said that if I could have made a living some way in gospel music, I would have loved to had that break but it never was offered to me, a job in that field, so naturally, I got lost on that other road," Jones had said during an interview with The 700 Club.
During his lifetime, Jones was noted for a powerful rendition of 'Amazing Grace,' that he performed, which was shown during a video/bio segment of his 2008 Kennedy Center Honors Induction. Hundred of callers asked for copies of the recording following the induction, however, the record has not been on the market since 2005.
Bandit Records, through which the upcoming album will be released, was established in 2000 by Jones and his widow, Nancy. It was the first label that Jones had taken and interest in and it is fitting that it will host the last release of his extensive career. Throughout his career Jones had high charting records for six decades and received gold certification for his musical releases well into his late 70s.
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