Nashville Pays Its Respects To The Late George Jones With Star-Studded Concert

The late, great George Jones was honored this Friday at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Friday. The night was originally intended to celebrate the country icon’s retirement, but after his death last April, it was held as a sort of posthumous tribute. Billed as 'Playin' Possum: The Final No-Show,' the sold-out concert featured acts ranging from Garth Brooks and GEORGE STRAIT to Kid Rock and MEGADETH, USA Today reports.

"During the funeral, we mourned George; tonight we celebrate," former Grand Ole Opry announcer Keith Bilbrey told the crowd at the start of the show. The performances ran on for over four hours, in order to accommodate the 112 artists, performing in memory of Jones. "Talk about wrangling cats!" Co-host Charlie Chase quipped early on in the show. "Everybody I've talked to says they're going on early," Dierks Bentley said backstage.

Big & Rich opened the show to the tune of a 1965 classic Love Bug. The concert featured performances by the likes of Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood (performing a duet originally sung by George and his then wife Tammy Winette in 1971), GEORGE STRAIT, Sam & Dave’s Sam Moore, Josh Turner, Kid Rock, Alan Jackson and many more, all performing some of Jones’ most beloved hits. The night featured 48 performances by different stars, as well as plenty of additional appearances, who simply wanted to pay their respects to the late icon.