George Jones Photo Courtesy of Bandit Records
September 14, 2007 — George Jones thought he was about to enjoy an early-bird dinner at Logan's Roadhouse restaurant in Franklin on Wednesday, but instead he walked into surprise party with 250 guests .
"It's the biggest surprise I've ever had," the 76-year-old birthday boy told The Tennessean. "I'm almost speechless. Sometimes you stray and don't realize how much the friends and people in the music business might care. It's so great to see so many faces."
George's wife, Nancy, and Ronnie Gilley Properties threw the party, which had a guest list that included Jimmy Dickens, Joe Diffie, Two Foot Fred, Tracy Lawrence, Buddy Jewell, Mark Chesnutt, Tom T. and Dixie Hall, Naomi Judd and Oak Ridge Boys Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall and Richard Sterban.
Sonny James reflected on a friendship that started driving to shows in the early 1950s. "Sometimes he would ride with me," he said. "This was before we had buses. We had a lot of fun."
Trace Adkins said he didn't expect such a big production. "I thought it was just going to be surprise, happy birthday and eat steak," he said. "I love George and Nancy and wanted to be here."
Dierks Bentley gave a thumbs-up to the party location. "It's so typical of George and Nancy to have their party at Logan's. They are so down to earth. They are regular folks and good folks. It's a perfect place for this to be happening."