“He Stopped Loving Her Today”—But Nashville Never Did: George Jones Honored with Ryman Statue

George Jones is now permanently part of the heart of Music City. On Tuesday, June 3, the Ryman Auditorium unveiled a life-size bronze statue of the country music icon as the newest addition to its revered Icon Walk. The tribute ensures that one of the most influential voices in country music history will forever stand tall alongside other greats who helped shape the genre.

The statue was unveiled in an emotional ceremony attended by Jones’s wife, Nancy, his daughter Susan, and country star Jamey Johnson, who paid musical tribute to the late legend. Set against the backdrop of the historic Ryman—often called the “Mother Church of Country Music”—the event underscored Jones’s deep connection to the venue and the genre he helped define.

“The Ryman was one of George’s favorite places to play music,” Nancy Jones said during the ceremony. “He truly revered it as the ‘Mother Church’ and loved the acoustics. To have his legacy live on here permanently… means so much to our family.”

Jones now joins the ranks of Charley Pride, Loretta Lynn, Little Jimmy Dickens, and Bill Monroe on the Ryman’s outdoor Icon Walk, a permanent tribute to country legends who made indelible marks on the genre—and on Nashville itself. The statues, each crafted by renowned artist Ben Watts, take about a year to complete and capture the spirit and stature of these trailblazers with remarkable detail.

“Today, we add another legendary artist to the Ryman’s Icon Walk by bringing forth George Jones,” said Colin Reed, Executive Chairman of Ryman Hospitality Properties. “The Ryman and the Opry were lucky to be a part of George’s story for so many years. It’s only fitting to have him added here among these other stars who have made a lasting impression on country music.”

The statue stands at the northwest corner of the building on Fifth Avenue, alongside Pride, Lynn, and Monroe. Visitors entering from Fourth Avenue are still greeted by Little Jimmy Dickens, whose statue remains perched on the Ryman’s front steps, welcoming fans to the hallowed venue.

Jones’s ties to the Ryman stretch back decades. As a Grand Ole Opry member since 1956, he performed on its stage through several eras of his legendary career. From hard-living honky-tonk classics to heartbreaking ballads like “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” Jones’s voice helped define what country music could be—raw, real, and unforgettable.

The unveiling comes as Nashville celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry, a milestone Jones helped pave through his years of performances and loyal fandom. His presence on the Ryman’s grounds reinforces the impact he had—not only on music, but on the generations of fans and artists who followed in his footsteps.

For visitors strolling down Fifth Avenue or fans making a pilgrimage to one of country music’s most sacred spaces, the new statue is more than a monument—it’s a reminder. A reminder of a man whose voice could shake walls and mend hearts, whose legacy looms as large as the boots he left behind, and whose place in the story of country music is, like his new statue, permanently cast in bronze.

And now, just outside the Ryman, George Jones stands tall once more—forever singing.