"Grandpa" Jones
Riders into the Sunset
by: John Gamboa
Jones' first performance was on radio at the young age of 16.
His
abilities ranged from singing and telling funny stories to playing
instruments including the banjo, violin, mandolin, and guitar. With
all this talent wrapped up in one man, he was a natural to be nabbed as
a performer; he made his first appearance at the Grand Ole Opry in 1946,
and was invited to entertain the troops on the Korean front in 1951.
This respected artist also performed at Carnegie Hall, the
Hollywood
Bowl, and as a regular on Hee Haw from 1969 to 1993. In addition, Jones
was a well-known recording artist, and received tribute from his peers when
he was inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1978.