Singer-Songwriter Georgette Jones, daughter of music icons Tammy Wynette and George Jones, graced the legendary  Opry stage on April 6, honoring her mother’s passing twenty-five years ago. Jones performed “My Man” and “Till I Can Make It On My Own.” Joining her on the lineup was Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Lauren Alaina, Lauren Mascitti, Wendy Moten, and Chuck Mead.

“I know how much this would have meant to my mom,” said Georgette. “It had been 13 years since I last played the Opry.  At that performance, Jean Shepard announced my engaged to the world from the stage.  This night, I got to share the stage with my husband Jamie for the first time.  My son Kyle was there with me and my other son Ryan would have joined me but he is on active duty with the Air Force.  I got to sing Mom’s favorite ‘’Til I Can Make It On My Own.’ Everyone was so gracious and it was beautiful to see the audience and artists shining a spotlight on my mom.  I even discovered some of our former household furnishing backstage so it truly felt like coming home.”

In the previous announcement about tribute night, Georgette had shared what the Opry meant to her and her family.

“The Opry and the Ryman were very important to mom,” said Jones. “She grew up listening to the Opry on WSM and always dreamed of having the honor of playing there. It really meant the world to her to stand in the circle and to be part of the Opry family. As a child, I ran the halls backstage along with many other artists’ children and grandchildren. I have the best memories being there not only for Opry appearances, but for award and TV shows as well. It was a big extended family environment that I am grateful to have experienced.” When asked if her mother had any favorite Opry memories, she recounted this story. Jones laughed and said, “Loretta, Mom, and Barbra Mandrell were all sharing a dressing room. That day was Barbra Mandrell’s anniversary, and her husband Ken had just gifted her with a pair of beautiful diamond earrings. She had misplaced them in the dressing room and panicked because she couldn’t find them. She said, ‘Ken’s going to kill me, help me find them.’ So, the three country legends got on their hands and knees intent on finding the earrings. Just then, Ken knocked on the door and stepped in, and a brutally honest Loretta blurted out ‘Barbra done lost her diamond earrings!’ and Barbra responded, ‘I told you not to tell him!’ and mom just fell on the floor hysterically laughing. In the end they found the diamond earrings, and all was well, but mom always loved to tell this story even years later. Can’t you just get the visual?”