George! George! George!
George! George!
George! George! George! George!
From the Ryman Auditorium
in Nashville, Tennessee, the country music capital
of the world, it's your Grand Ole Opry
staring Roy Acuff and the Smokey Mountain Boys.
Let 'er go, Roy!
From the great Atlantic Ocean
To the wide Pacific shore
From the queen of flowing mountains
To the southbelt by the shore
She's mighty tall and handsome
And known quite well by all
She's the combination
On the Wabash Cannonball
Jones!
If you don't get out there George,
there's gonna be a riot.
Hey, hey, hey, Jones.
It's Peanutt. You just come out here.
You do two or three songs, that's it.
All them folks came to see you.
You got a responsibility to calm 'em down.
Jones!
Get out there now!
Bye-bye!
George.
George ain't here no more,
but I'll tell him that all you kind and lovely gentlemen
stopped by to see him. -
Hear the mighty rush of the engine
Hear that lonesome hobo squall
We're riding through the jungle
On the Wabash Cannonball
George! George! George!
You're on. -
Ladies and gentlemen, the Possum is trapped.
Please put your hands together for George Jones.
Where's George at?
Uh, well, all right. Um--
George! George! George!
George looks to be having a standing problem.
Charlie, you got that tape? - Sure do, Peanutt.
Come on, get your ass up.
Cold and deep inside like...
He won't fall over, I promise.
One more to go. - I said stop.
Here, here. -
Sharp and painful that I may never shake
You might say that I was taking it hard
Since you wrote me off with a call
But don't you wager that I'll hide the sorrow
When I may break right down and bawl
Now the race is on
And here comes pride up the backstretch
Heartaches a-going to the inside
My tears are holding back
They're trying not to fall
My heart's out of the running
True love's scratched for another's sake
The race is on and it looks like heartaches
And the winner loses all
Come on, now, honey.
We're gonna miss him if you don't hurry up.
Virginia!
It's Tammy, now. Start saying it right.
Now the race is on
And here comes pride up the backstretch
Heartache's a-going to the inside
My tears are holding back
They're trying not to fall
My heart's out of the running
True love's scratched for another's sake
The race is on and it looks like heartaches
And the winner loses all
Whoo!
Oh, I sure do love the love!
I'm not sure I deserve it
after standing you all up all them times.
But I was drunk. -
Then again, if you see me sober,
I ain't awake.
I love you, George!
What's that?
Marry me! -
Well, in North Carolina way back in the hills...
Come on, let's go, let's go. We're gonna miss him.
Come on now.
How's my hair look? - It's great.
Let's go! - Okay, I'll be right back.
Oh, Tammy. Good luck.
Take these girls and get some ice cream.
No, no, no, you go with Donna, now.
Mommy and Daddy will be back soon.
Come on, girls, let's go.
Thanks, baby! - Come on.
Well, the G-Men, T-Men, revenuers too
Searching for the place where he made his brew
They were looking, trying to book him
But my pappy kept on cooking
Whew! Ooh.
White Lightning...
We made it, honey!
Don't go acting like just another fan tonight.
She can't help it if she's excited.
Oh, I've loved this man's singing
more than half my life.
I'm gonna enjoy myself.
Well, I asked my old pappy why he called his brew
White Lightning 'stead of Mountain Dew
Billy, will you take a picture of Tammy and me
with George in the background?
- I will not, Don. - Bugged out
And my face turned blue
Lightning started flashin'
Thunder started clashin'
Whew! Whoo!
White Lightning
soft country music
Jackie, you wanna blot? - Yeah.
Careful, now.
Got it. - Okay. Muah.
Ah, ah, mm!
Oh, no, you missed some-- -
He ready for us?
I like the new hair.
Daddy got it for her.
Hmm. Sure good. - Yeah.
Okay. Ohh! You girls be good for Donna.
I'll be right back, baby.
Ooh, watch your duds.
Do I look okay? - Yeah, you look good.
Don couldn't watch the girls?
No, today's his writing day.
His writing day now, huh?
Don't be mean to Don.
That man took us in when we had nothing.
You're not my flapjacks.
Yeah. Excuse me.
You shy?
George.
Wake up!
Lord have mercy.
George, this is Tammy Wynette,
the girl singer Shorty Lavender's looking
to book for the Knoxville package show,
pending your approval.
You don't come out of your hole for nobody.
Well, you got my number there, Jones,
but I'm vouching for her.
You just want me over at Epic.
How do you feel about him dangling you
to get close to me?
Watch it, Jones.
Caught some of your show last night.
Canceled so many times
I thought I'd never get to see you.
I haven't shit in three days.
Tammy.
Uh, why don't you tell Jones about yourself?
Well...
I was born in Mississippi/Alabama line,
so I say my top half comes from Mississippi,
my bottom half's from Alabama.
My daddy was a musician.
Before he died, he told my mama,
"If my daughter shows any musical ability whatsoever,
that it is to be encouraged."
So I can only hope to live up to his dreams for me.
How long you practiced at being famous?
Can't say.
Mama ended up being, uh...
very encouraging, but I did learn to harmonize at church
and singing to your records.
Now I'm here,
so I hope that, uh...
says something for me.
She's been in town 18 months, Jones.
She already charted three times.
God almighty.
We're making the future of country music
over at Epic. - Hallelujah.
Oh, no.
Hey, no, what are you doing?
Yeah?
Well, I don't know what you're up to, neither.
Anybody got a light? - Shh.
Why I gotta shush? She ain't my wife.
Well, the way I see it,
I'm out here keeping a roof over your head,
so your foul tone isn't appreciative
or appreciated. -
Marriage is supposed to make life easier.
It'd be a big opportunity for us to open for you.
I'm a man, not an opportunity.
Mr. Jones...
...I've got a lot of respect for you,
even if this meeting isn't real professional.
But I've got mouths to feed and a messy house,
so if you're not gonna say yes to me,
then I'm just gonna get on with my day.
Yeah, you're all right.
Well, I sent my pretty baby
To the neighborhood store
My head was vibrating from the night before
I said you'd better hurry as she went out the gate...
Was saving "When the Grass Grows Over Me" for me,
but if George Jones wants to record it,
I'm not gonna stop him.
Well, he hasn't heard it yet, Don.
We're spending the whole weekend with him.
If we get a shot, we play him the song.
Well, we just gotta get to know the man
before we insult him by pretending we already do.
Mama, I'm bored.
Hey, no bitching. - Oh.
Hey, don't curse at her.
Yeah, don't curse at me, Don.
I am truly outnumbered here. - You are.
Are we gonna be like the Carters?
Mm-hmm, that's the plan, baby.
That makes you the Mother Maybelle,
and I'm the June.
Makes Gwen and Jackie the other two.
Oh, doesn't Tina get a part?
Well, we gotta wait and see how everybody grows up.
Not everybody can sing. - That's the truth.
You don't think my song's good enough, do you?
I love your song.
I never said nothing about that.
I start talking about presenting my songs
to George Jones, and you get shy.
We go, we do our show, we impress everybody,
and then you ask.
That's right. You listen to Donna.
He's sensitive about people taking advantage.
We said we'd do me next.
And we will.
All right, my turn. My turn.
What kind of game has one dice? That's all I wanna know.
Six! - Whoa!
Hey, keep this bastard straight. Come on, now.
This game's called "Aggravation,"
and I'm aggravated. - Ohh.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, man.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
I'm gon' win this game.
Uh--hey, hey, hey, no! No!
George, you gotta go inside the john, man.
I'm just writing my name
in the carpet.
Why don't you try autographing that toilet?
Now go on--go inside. -
All right. - Boom.
Oh! Shit.
Ah, come on. Shit!
You made me get pee all over my boot.
Hey, look, pee on my boot.
This road's a right bit curvy, sir.
I need all my concentration to get you to your destination.
Damn, son, you're sweating.
It's hot out, sir, and you're making me nervous, sir.
You know what, I'm gonna turn on the air conditioning
and get you and me cooled down properly.
Thank you, sir. - Well, you're hot. I'm hot.
This is a state-of-the-art vehicle.
George, leave that boy alone.
Come on back over here and sit down.
It's your turn.
But I'm hot! - Well--
You fixed it. - Come on, George.
What happened? - You broke it, sir.
I broke it? - Yeah.
Oh, Lord.
Well, I can't breathe.
I need some air.
Whoa, hey, now, George.
The hell you doing, boy?
Ventilating.
Oh, whoa! Whoa!
George, no! -
dramatic country music
Oh, man.
You're crazy! - Hang on there, boys!
Ah--crazy son of a bitch!
Anybody hurt?
He said to jump on Peanutt!
Where is he? Is he okay? -
Peanutt?
You all right?
Uhh, oh, yeah, I'm okay.
Whoo! - I'm just gonna
grab this beer. - Oh, the great big Jesus
in the sky can't catch the Possum!
Oh.
Allow me to pay my compliments
to the fine ventilation of your vehicle.
You smell funny.
That's the sweet nectar of the gods, my darling.
Why they call you Possum?
'Cause of my funny nose and bugged out eyes.
You don't look like no possum.
Oh, really?
How 'bout now?
Did you know I write songs, Mr. Jones?
Lord, I did not, no.
Just follow the stairway
To this lonely world of mine
There's not enough me in the mix.
Well, I don't know if you're aware,
but she's the singer.
Oh, I would like a little bit more guitar.
It helps keep me in tune.
Thank you.
Two, three, four, one.
I...
...I know you boys are--
work with a lot of acts that come through here,
and I'm honored to be singing with you.
This song's about loneliness.
And waiting for someone to save you.
I don't know if any of you boys ever felt that way.
Maybe it's just a feeling we ladies get.
But if you have,
maybe you could give that lady you're waiting on a thought.
I believe you have to live a song to make it good.
Two, three, four, one.
Beautiful.
Just follow the stairway
To this lonely world of mine
You'll find me
Waitin' here
In apartment number nine
Not so very long ago
You walked away from me
And after all
The plans we made
You decided to be free
Loneliness surrounds me
Without your arms
Around me
And the sun
Will never shine
In apartment number nine
Mm, that's nice.
That's real pretty.
I keep waiting
In this lonely room
Just in case you change your mind
You'll find me
Waitin' here
In apartment number nine
Loneliness surrounds me
Without your arms around me
And the sun
Will never shine
In apartment number nine
No, the sun will never shine
In apartment number nine
Uh-uh--ooh, that was close.
That was close. All right, your turn.
That is two--two numbers.
"You are very talented." -
Boy, I've been waiting to hear that my whole life.
Thank you very much.
How do you know?
Oh. - Um...
You heard me singing? - I think you are.
Oh, that's awful sweet.
All right, let me try your, uh--
You're eating a raw potato?
I am.
Why?
I don't wanna say in front of the children.
Why not?
Girls, did you tell him that his hair's a mess?
What?
This is very nice.
Very nice. - Good.
I'd hate to have my license revoked.
You need a license to do a man's hair?
Well, I never officially graduated,
but the lady who runs the beauty college
took pity on account I was pregnant with my third.
She gave me my license anyway.
Damn, I didn't know I was talking to an educated woman.
You're flirting with me, George Jones.
You're pointing your finger at me, Tammy Wynette.
Turn around. - All right.
What kind of Christian are you?
Pentecostal. - Mm-hmm.
Best look out, we do crazy things with our tongues.
I'm gonna stop doing your hair,
you dirty old, married Pentecostal.
She told me not to come back.
Sorry to hear that. - Yeah.
She wanted to be married to George Jones,
and then one day she woke up, and it dawned on her
she was married to George Jones.
Hmm.
Pass me that potato, will you?
Yeah.
Hm.
Ugh.
Here.
It's a little trick Shorty taught me
to soak up the booze.
If a girl singer got drunk like you boys do...
They would toss her outta Nashville so fast.
You gotta be perfect. -
You ain't perfect.
Mm-mm.
I can hear it in your voice.
You don't like the way I sing?
No.
I love the way you sing.
What? You all right?
Just waiting, it seems, my whole life
to hear you say that.
Yeah.
You should grow your hair longer.
Mm. See, you got sadness in you.
Don't you?
Well, it's thicker than I thought it was.
You hair, it would look nice long.
That kind of sadness is a hand-me-down.
Somebody gave it to you, who gave it to them before.
Well, can't do nothing about stuff that came before.
Hmm. - Well...
trying to make a happy home
for the girls, Don and I.
He good to his babies?
Well, the girls aren't his.
Hmm. - Big one is,
but she's mine too now, so--
Hey.
Is that a haircutting accident?
No.
When I first met Don, we made a pact.
Swore we'd make it to Nashville together.
The idea of you defiling yourself
for someone like him--
Someone like him? - Yeah.
There's 3,000 Dons a day come rolling into Nashville.
They all attach themselves to some pretty girl,
think it's gonna make them more worthy.
3,000 Dons a day, 3,000 pretty girls a day.
But not one of 'em's you.
I always thought you'd look nice with sideburns.
Ms. Wynette, you spend a lot of time
thinking about my face, it seems like.
He's real talented, my husband.
He's got a box full of great songs.
His sister's Jean Chapel.
She had a hit with "I Got a Memory You Can't Touch."
You know that one?
I do not.
Well, there you go.
That looks better, doesn't it?
I look like a genuine Hollywood movie star.
Without your arms - Wynette, Wynette,
Daddy just ran outta here
and sent all the local boys home.
I'll kill him!
She the killin' kind?
No, sir.
Stop, please.
Your husband told me the booking was canceled.
I know, I know-- I don't know why he said that.
I honestly don't know why.
But if you and your boys would stay,
I'd be so appreciative.
They're already drinking at the bar right now,
so it wouldn't be much of a band.
Just you and me. - Please.
I'm asking for your kindness, please.
We'll start with "Blessed Be Thy Name."
If we sound horrid, then at least we'll appeal
to their Christianity.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Ms. Tammy Wynette and the Jones Boys.
That's your name, innit? - Yeah.
That's your song, right?
Yeah. - You best get out there
and sing it, then. -
Thank you.
Come on!
I never seen the inside of a barroom
Or listened to a jukebox all night long
But I see these are the things
That bring you pleasure
So I'm gonna make some changes in our home
Well, I heard it said
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em
So if that's the way you wanted me to be
I'll change if it takes that to make you happy
From now on, you're gonna see
A different me
Because your
Good girl's gonna go bad
I'm gonna be the swingingest swinger you ever had
If you like 'em painted up, powdered up
Then you oughta be glad
'Cause your good girl's gonna go bad
I'll even learn to like
The taste of whiskey
In fact, you'll hardly recognize your wife
I'll buy some brand-new clothes
And dress up fancy
For my journey to the wilder side of life
Because your good girl's gonna go bad
I'm gonna be the swingingest swinger you ever had
If you like 'em painted up, powdered up
Then you oughta be glad
'Cause your good girl's gonna go bad
Oh, yeah, your good girl's
Gonna go bad
Yeah!
Thank you.
Whoo!
Hey, y'all, how's my hair look?
Right there? All right, thank you.
Well, hey, uh, Tammy,
you know this one?
Oh, I know all your songs, Mr. Jones.
Oh, no.
My daddy was Mr. Jones.
You can call me Baby.
Tell me why, baby, why, baby
Why, baby, why you make me cry, baby, cry, baby
Cry, baby, cry
Can't help but love you till the day that I die
So tell me why, baby, why, baby
Why, baby, why
Well, I got a crow I wanna pick with you
Just like last time when the feathers flew
You're running wild, picking up your heels
Leaving me home with a handful of bills
Well, I can't live without you
And you know it's true
But there's no living with you
So what'll I do?
I'm going honky-tonking
Get as tight as I can
Maybe by then, you'll 'preciate a good man
So tell me why, baby, why, baby
Why, baby, why you make me cry, baby, cry, baby
Cry, baby, cry
I can't help but love you
Till the day that I die
So tell me why, baby, why, baby
Why, baby, why
Hey.
I'm heading to Memphis.
Not too late to get you on the bill.
Where'd that thing come from?
Come on, George!
Well, I guess somebody called somebody.
Sucker's brand new.
Mm-hmm. - You live in a fast world.
Fast is the only speed I know.
Well, I have a long drive ahead of me,
but this sure was fun.
It was.
You know, I got plenty of room on that bus.
Beds for the girls.
I'll take you anywhere you wanna go.
I think we're going in opposite directions.
sentimental music
Don't have to.
I have a husband I need to, um...
track down.
Oh.
Here.
Thanks. - Mm-hmm.
Hey, you know what? My old bus is yours.
She got a few holes in her,
but I'll get her fixed up good for you.
Oh, thank you, but I couldn't accept that.
Yes, she could. - Oh, she's insisting.
That's that, then.
Um--
somebody gonna call somebody?
Something like that. Mm-hmm.
Hey, George!
Do you ever think about being better?
Better at what?
Where the hell have you been?
Does it matter?
George Jones says you don't need me.
Come on, baby.
You're the one who'd be nowhere without me.
You know, I was getting to know him for you.
Oh, was it for me? - Uh-huh.
Help me get the stuff out of the car.
Is he gonna sing my songs?
I don't know. I told him how good you are.
You swear nothing happened?
Nothing happened.
Jones gave us a bus.
Where y'all want this?
Our D-I-V-O-R-C-E
Becomes final today
Me and little J-O-E
Will be going away
I love you both
And this will be pure H-E-double-L
For me
Oh, I wish that we could stop this
D-I-V-O-R-C-E
Watch him smile
He thinks it's Christmas
Or his fifth birthday
And he thinks C-U-S-T-O-D-Y
Spells "fun" or "play"
I spell out all the hurting words
And turn my head when I speak
'Cause I can't spell away this hurt
That's dripping down my cheek
Our D-I-V-O-R-C-E
Becomes final today
Me and little J-O-E
Will be going away
I love you both
And this will be pure H-E-double-L
For me
Oh, I wish that we could stop
This D-I-V-O-R-C-E
That's good.
That's good, that's good, that's good.
Hi, George. - Hey.
How you doing? Say hello?
Sure.
Come right this way.
Tammy?
Come here and say hi to George.
Oh, is he here?
Yeah, that's real pretty.
What you just heard there,
that song's gonna be a number one smash.
Mark my words. - Oh, yeah?
Hey, I heard from somebody once that, uh,
you really gotta live a song
in order to make it good.
Mm-hmm. You heard that, did you?
Yeah.
We got an open door policy, Jones.
Whenever you're ready to sign with Epic,
we'll happily take you away from Musicor.
I know. I can't record with you boys.
I'm still on contract with Pappy.
All right, but Pappy Daily
ain't getting the best outta you.
Well, hey, he made a commitment.
He's gonna honor it, Billy.
She understands. - Yeah. [laughs]
New Nashville's yours whenever you're ready
to embrace it, George. - All right.
So-- - So?
So does Miss Red Bay like her new bus?
Drives real nice. Thank you.
Does the air conditioning run okay?
Yeah. It's perfect.
'Cause if it wasn't, I'd fix it.
Tammy? - Yeah?
Got your cigarettes. - Oh. Thanks, Richey.
Jones, you know George Richey?
I do not. - Oh, thanks.
I'm the musical director over at "Hee Haw."
You've been on the show 11 times.
Oh, hell, son, I was probably drunk out of my mind.
Well, my name's George too,
but you can call me Richey if it's confusing.
Mm, I'm not confused.
Richey here's a right talented songwriter too,
Jones. - Really?
Seems like everybody in Nashville's
a right talented songwriter.
If you'll allow me,
when I think of your story,
story of a legend,
I get very excited about the musical possibilities.
I really appreciate that very much,
but I'm not here to see you.
I'm here to see him.
Now, this fella,
your wife's telling me that you are a fantastic songwriter,
so I was curious what you got.
Well, I got one I think you'll love.
Yeah?
It's called "When the Grass Grows Over Me."
"When the Grass Grows Over Me."
The story is, um,
a man loves a woman so hard
that he only stops loving her when he's dead in the ground.
That's morbid.
But it's true.
What are you--stop it. I don't like that.
What are you doing?
You're my wife.
Sometimes I like to look at you when you're not here.
I'll be over you
When the grass grows over me
When you left, I thought
That I would soon get over you
Even told myself
That I would find somebody too
Time and tears have come and gone
But not your memory
And I'll be over you
When the grass grows over me
Yes, I'll be over you
When you're standing over me
Isn't Daddy's song so beautiful?
Oh, yeah, sure.
You're doin' good, girl.
Thanks, Pappy.
I should've signed you at Musicor
when I had the chance.
Really missed the boat on you.
How's that crow taste?
Oh, goodness. -
Hey, you know what? I wanna do this again.
Yeah. Let me come by Saturday night
and we'll talk about some ideas.
Is it okay if I invite myself to dinner?
Tammy's the best cook. - Really?
And as long as I live
I know I won't be free
But I'll be over you
When the grass grows over me
Yes, I'll be over you
When you're standing over me
And as you look down
At the cold, cold ground
I'm sleeping in
Don't expect to hear me say
That I still love you then
Come here! - Hey, careful! It's hot.
Get back here right now, Gwen!
Stop it!
Donna, release Gwen.
Donna's grabbing me for nothing.
She stole my hair spray.
Did you take her hair spray again?
You quit, now. Give it back.
Donna, you look great.
I just wanted to use the hair spray on my dolly.
You finish the song?
Boys, go wash your hands.
We don't Mr. Jones thinking
this is a house full of mongrels.
Yes, ma'am.
I didn't finish. - Don.
Oh. Welcome to our home.
The old hometown... - Thank you.
Looks the same...
Oh, boy. That smells good. -
You two been busy.
Where'd you sprout the extra ones?
You know Gwen and Jackie,
and the boys are Mike and Gary.
Donna and Tina, of course. - Oh. Hey.
Donna, Mike, and Gary are mine.
Oh, yeah? - Yup.
Then the boys spend some of the weekends with us.
Oh. - Donna's named after me.
I'm Don, so...
she's Donna. - Huh.
Anybody hungry? - Yeah.
And that's Virginia.
Virginia Pugh.
P-U! - Don, don't.
Virginia Pugh wasn't never gonna be famous.
That's why Billy Sherrill changed it.
Well, you know, my mama always calls me Glenn.
No matter how famous I get.
Keeps me distinct from my daddy.
Kids, go, uh, sit in the dining room,
and Donna, would you take Tina to bed?
Thanks. - Nice to meet you.
Can I fix you anything to drink?
Nope. Nothing for me.
Nothing? - Mm.
What?
Okay.
Well, look at this.
It's like I stepped into the showroom at Badcock.
Badcock? - Yeah.
That's where I get all my furnishings.
Wonderful, stylish people.
Yeah, well, maybe next time.
This was all just delivered.
Mm, I can smell that. - Mm.
Only thing better than new furniture smell
is a new car smell.
Got one of them too.
Mm, I saw that Caddy out front.
Mm-hmm.
Hmm.
Yeah, Don and I, we're in a real...
level, normal place.
Yeah? - Mm.
My
D-I-V-O-R-C-E
Became final today
Mmm, Lord have mercy.
Mike, take your elbows off the table.
Take off your hat too.
Folks make me nervous when they act fancy around me.
Hmm? There you go.
My house.
Hands go in laps.
Mm.
10-4, yes. Officer Chapel.
Hands not in laps, please.
Be advised that--
oh, there's gunfire in the area.
Please, everybody, remain calm. -
Please, remain calm.
I'm teaching him about life.
Mm?
Put your hand in your lap,
and finish what you start.
Those are my rules. - Mm.
You've never said that. - No lip.
Don, we're having a nice dinner.
Would all of the women please shut up?
My D-I-V-O-R-C-E
Became final today
Something like that, right?
Anyone want dessert? Let's go make some sundaes.
Yeah? Leave those grits.
Come on. Come on, kids.
I broke my rule.
Just grab it out of the freezer--
See...
difference between me and my wife,
she sees an opportunity, she takes it.
Mm? - I get close to lucky,
I pack it in.
Maybe you should go get some coffee, Daddy.
Mm-hmm. - But my song
is in her George Jones book.
Don, don't--just...
stop it.
Every single word you ever sung
is written down in her little book.
Really?
Hmm. - And, uh...
I'm in there too, now.
So...
guess that makes me somethin'.
You're gonna fuck my wife, aren't you?
Sorry.
You know...
I sure would like to, Don.
Well, then you should know
Virginia Pugh
is a lousy lay.
Wait-- - Come on!
Don't--don't--don't hurt him. -
Please, don't.
You coming with me?
Don't make me scare these babies
any more than I already done.
You love me, right?
Yes, I do.
Then let's go!
Remind me which ones are yours.
"White Lightning" playing
You're gonna love me when I'm old?
Whatever you two are doing,
it isn't gon' be no fairy tale!
Don't look back.
Never.
Whew! White Lightning
soft country music
MTV