This Saturday, June 15, clear your calendar and take a beautiful drive into Sharps Chapel for an evening of music and festivities at the George Jones Tribute Concert. The fun filled, family event will be held at the Sharps Chapel Community Park from 6:00 – 9:00pm with festival seating, so don’t forget to bring your lawn chair!

Admission is free and vendors will be present. County Commissioner Jeff Brantley has spearheaded the planning of this event, which has been in the thoughts for nearly two years. The show is planned to be a sequel to the George Jones Concert that was held at this same location on June 12, 1999. That event was orchestrated by James and Angela Sharp of Sharps Chapel.

Planned vendors include Doug Crowe of City Hall Restaurant who will be serving mouthwatering smoked pork and peanuts for your coke, Snow Cone Eddie will have a presence with those famous ice treats, Flatford Screen Printing has designed a commemorative shirt that will be on sale for $15 each the night of the show, Kitty Sharp will be selling her delectable fried apple pies and other homemade confectioneries, Danny Cooke will have a booth representing Union County Opry, and much more.

Prior to the music show, a dedication ceremony will be held with attendance of special guest Nancy Jones, George’s widow. There will be a historical marker placed at the gazebo in which George performed under in 1999. In addition to the marker, a road sign will be placed at the intersection of Sharps Chapel Road and the entrance to Sharps Chapel Community Park naming the strip “George Jones Way.” This was an idea conspired by Mr. Brantley that he says was respected countywide. There is a spectacular lineup of performers following the dedication including Brian Roark, Ashley Diane, Shorty Casey, and Chris Blake.

Rumor has it that when George performed in ’99, he requested beans and cornbread which were supplied by the late Ruth Berry of Sharps Chapel. It is also said that white lightning was supplied by a local. George spent the night on a houseboat at Lakeview Marina and fished all night during his time in Chapel. Band members stayed nearby in a house owned by Herman “Budweiser” Caldwell. George loved Sharps Chapel and vowed to return. Mr. Brantley jokes, “He will be a ‘no show’ again, but his memory will be celebrated.”

Many folks have been instrumental in the collaboration to make this event a success. A special thanks to Mayor Jason Bailey for his help and support as well as Sherriff Billy Breeding in his efforts to escort Ms. Nancy to the event. See you Saturday!