The Grand Tour

The Life and Music of George Jones

By: Rich Kienzle

Narrated by: John Pruden

Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

In the vein of the classic Johnny Cash: The Life, this groundbreaking work explores the wild life and extraordinary musical career of "the definitive country singer of the last half century" (New York Times), who influenced, among others, Bob Dylan, Buck Owens, Emmylou Harris, John Fogerty, George Strait, Alan Jackson, and Garth Brooks.

In a masterful biography laden with new revelations, veteran country music journalist/historian Rich Kienzle offers a definitive, full-bodied portrait of legendary country singer George Jones and the music that remains his legacy. Kienzle meticulously sifted through archival material, government records, and recollections by colleagues and admirers, interviewing many involved in Jones' life and career. The result: an evocative portrait of this enormously gifted, tragically tormented icon called "the Keith Richards of country".

Kienzle chronicles Jones' impoverished East Texas childhood as the youngest son of a deeply religious mother and an alcoholic, often-abusive father. He examines his three troubled marriages, including his union with superstar Tammy Wynette, and looks unsparingly at Jones' demons. Alcohol and later cocaine nearly killed him until fourth wife Nancy helped him learn to love himself. Kienzle also details Jones' remarkable musical journey from singing in violent Texas honky-tonks to Grand Ole Opry star, hitmaker, and master vocalist whose raw, emotionally powerful delivery remains the gold standard for country singers.

The George Jones of this heartfelt biography lived hard before finding contentment until he died at 81 - a story filled with whiskey, women, and drugs but always the saving grace of music.

©2016 Rich Kienzle (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers

Keith Richards, eat your heart out.

George Jones was an absolute madman. His exploits make all other rock-star narratives seem utterly tame by comparison. Ranging from hilarious to genuinely horrifying, his story made me seriously glad that I'm not famous. Listen to his music first, if you haven't already.

Great read

Very entertaining. Highly recommended. I thought I was well versed on George Jones but I learned a lot. Made me emotional at times with what he had gone through.

Wonderful listening entertainment.

I truly enjoyed listening to this. Rest in peace. You will always be remembered as one of the greatest entertainers and singers.

good book

mispronouncing Vidor was kind of irritating...ha. but overall a good job and accurate history of George.

Never knew there was so much to know

One hell of a story about one hell of a life. Was not a hardcore fan, but you couldn't help but trip over a George Jones song when I was coming up as a child. Didn't know anything about his backstory, all the challenges and failures, or his eventual if somewhat incomplete resolution of at least some of them.

Story thoughtfully written without sensationalizing frankly pretty sensational life events. Delicate care to retain a reasonably objective perspective on the most difficult issues, but providing enough detail that you remain rapt with attention all the way to the next curveball.

Left me a little exhausted from all the ups and downs, but enjoyed the tour. It's a little too picture perfect have a wrap up and conclusion at the end, but that is the tendency these days with many autobiographies.

Narration is of high-quality, but lacks the depth and variety of a Christopher Ryan Grant narration, making it easy to let your thoughts wander during listening. Had to friend probably 50 different times while listening for that very reason.

All in all, very well done, and might even listen to it again to pick up what was missed.

The Country Man

It is indeed a Grand Tour of the country man from Texas. As far as music history is concerned, you don't know this genre unless you spend some time with the wandering emotional style of George Jones. Adored for his voice, he was one hell raising character. While not divulging a lot of novel insight, this work efficiently appreciates a famous life keeping it real regarding the robust TX ego of a singer most view as the GOAT in classic country.

One of the true greats of country music.

He was one of the greatest and last of the true country greats and he made it to the very end.

Great book!

A very honest and fair telling of his life. I've never heard this many slang terms for drunkenness in one sitting before. My only complaint is Vidor is pronounced vieder and not veedoor! 😉

Interesting story, bad reading

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I recommend any biography of one of the greatest country artists, George Jones. I will, however, be hesitant to listen to other books read by John Pruden.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

It's disappointing that he didn't have enough respect for the subject or listeners to learn how to pronounce the names of people and places commonly known.

Good biography; wrong choice of reader

I enjoyed the hell out of this book, but listening to it is another story. The man reading the book was just not the right choice for this particular kind of story. He would do well with, say, a Dan Brown novel, but not one about the greatest country music legend in history. His reading style shows that he’s clearly not from the South as he often mispronounces regional geographic areas, and overall he does not lend the country articulation needed for this kind of story. Nonetheless, I would highly recommend the book because it is an incredible story.