George Jones Says Country Radio Isn't The Same

Posted by Lisa Ann Schleipfer on 09/18/2009
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Country Music legend George Jones, in a recent interview with the9513.com, said Country radio has changed dramatically since his day, and not in a good way.

"They were changing their format to make bigger bucks off of the children—the young people, you know. That's all they cater to anymore. The radio don't play traditional Country Music like it used to be," Jones said. "Jamey Johnson, this new artist, he's comin' along pretty good, but I don't know how long they're gonna play him because he's country and real traditional."

Jones' comments have some personal merit; a never released single, "I Don't Want To Know," wasn't  recorded because the song was deemed as "too country." Jones said, "They started telling the older artists "Well, I don't think you need to cut that because it's too country."

The single has found a home, on the singer's latest release, A Collection of My Best Recollection, available exclusively at Cracker Barrel restaurants.

The Possum isn't all bite; the singer clearly has a connection to younger Country artists on modern radio, and cites fandom of Alan Jackson, George Strait and Sugarland. And although he maintains friendships with current stars Kenny Chesney and Dierks Bentley, the elder star said these artists understand his exclusive Country Music tastes.

A Collection of My Best Recollection features a spread of Jones favorites, including "Why Baby Why," "White Lightning" and "He Stopped Loving Her Today."