George Jones was widely known by the nickname The Possum.
Jones received the nickname during his early career because observers thought his facial appearance resembled that of a possum. The name remained attached to him throughout his career, even as he became one of country music’s most respected vocalists.
Born in Saratoga, Texas, in 1931, Jones began recording in the 1950s and developed a highly expressive style often associated with honky-tonk country. His major recordings included “White Lightning,” “She Thinks I Still Care,” “The Grand Tour,” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today.”
The Possum nickname is distinct from Jones’s later reputation as “the greatest country singer,” a description often used by fellow musicians and critics. His career also included a celebrated but turbulent professional and personal partnership with Tammy Wynette.