Award-winning singer George Jones brings tour to Joplin
Josh Ray

Diversions Editor

Mischell Productions and Memorial Hall are bringing country singer George Jones to Joplin.

Jones usually performs some 75-80 shows per year. He usually works year round. Richard Mischell, producer/promoter for Jones  tour, said the tour will stop in Joplin because Jones had to go through Missouri, and Memorial Hall had the date open.

 Memorial Hall is a good place for shows,  Mischell said.  Joplin is a pretty good market for country music. 

This will not be the first time Jones has come to Joplin. Beth Kownslar, facility and events manager, said he performed in Joplin about four to five years ago. She said ticket sales for his last performance were close to 2,000. As of Tuesday, 1,000 tickets had been sold. She said plenty of tickets and good seats were still available. Promoters expect to sell more tickets for the concert. Mischell attributes the slow sale of tickets to 9/11.

 Ticket sales have been a little slow with all concerts since Sept. 11,  he said.

Jones has been singing since the 1950s. In his career, he has been credited with having more charted singles than any other artist in the history of popular music. He has received awards for songs like  White Lightning,   He Stopped Loving Her Today  and  She Thinks I Still Care. 

Mischell said Jones will most likely perform many of his hits and will give a full production show. He said it will be a good show.

 He ll do all of his big hits,  Mischell said.  You just never know what what you re going to get. He carries a pretty good production. 

Kownslar expects more  long-time country fans  to come to the concert than younger ones. She said most of the younger generation want more pop country than what Jones sings.

 His style of music is more traditional country,  she said.

Mischell said still cameras and flash pictures are OK to have at the show. He also said that while most younger artists would stay around to sign autographs after their performances, the 65-year-old singer  most likely won t. 

 He puts all of his energy into his show,  Mischell said.

Tickets can still be purchased at the Memorial Hall box office, Dillon Stores, and all Smitty s locations. Tickets are $19.50 for balcony seats and $27.50 for the rest of the hall. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15. Mischell hopes to  have a good turnout.