In one of the best clips from the CMA Awards’ archives, George Jones’ wife Nancy Sepulvado accepts his “Vocal Event” award as the legend… uses the bathroom!
Good ol’ Possum. The Texas native and Tennessee legend was one of a kind. As was his last wife, Nancy Sepulvado. Both characters had their dark sides in the story of their life together – but one thing’s for certain: these two loved one another fiercely.
For icon George Jones, a “happily ever after” sort of love came with an emphasis on the “after.” It took three failed marriages for the country star to find his truest one. After divorcing from Dorothy Bonvillion, Shirley Ann Corley, and fellow legend Tammy Wynette, Jones found his soulmate in Sepulvado, who would change her name to Nancy Jones upon their union.
Amazingly, Nancy once told The Tennessean that she met her future husband at one of his concerts. The show took place in 1981 in the Big Apple: New York. Her best friend at the time was dating George Jones’ manager, and little did Nancy know she’d soon fall in love with the man who came out on stage.
“My God, he walked on stage, and the crowd goes wild,” she tells the newspaper. “And that voice. I thought, ‘How is that coming out of that man’s mouth? Dang, he’s good.'”
Possum’s fans, of course, will agree. No one’s ever done it like the late Jones, nor will they again.
Fourth Time’s the Charm for George Jones
Just two years later, the young concert-goer would become Nancy Jones in 1983. Their marriage would last the remainder of George Jones’ life, but it wouldn’t be a perfect one (what marriage is?). While the country icon was known as a big-hearted, generous man, his battles with alcohol were just as well known. And that may be the understatement of the century.
Further opening up to The Tennessean, Nancy clarifies that their relationship “was a roller coaster. George was the sweetest man you could meet. But when George would drink, there was a devil that jumped inside of him.”
That devil was a particularly unpredictable one, too. Aside from his more famous nickname of “Possum,” Jones would also earn the nickname “No Show Jones” due to his battles with alcoholism and substance abuse.
Regardless, their love endured, and Jones’ better attributes kept their love strong for decades. Proof of this comes in the form of today’s Country Throwback. Within, Nancy accepts her husband’s award as he is nowhere to be found. And she does so with a golden sense of humor and grace.
Nancy Accepts George’s Award with Hilarious “Speech”
Way back in 1993, George Jones & friends were up for “Vocal Event of the Year” for their rendition of “I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair.”
When the time comes, 90’s country stars Shelby Lynne and Steve Wariner present the award to Jones. Or they would have – if he were present! As the dozen other “friends” who recorded the hit with Jones wander on stage, the presenters see hide nor hair of The Possum. Then, out of necessity, luck, or both, Nancy shows up on stage to take the award on his behalf.
Hilariously rushing to the mic, Nancy declares “I promise he showed up, he’s in the bathroom.” Those on stage, all comrades of Jones, immediately begin laughing alongside the audience.
“I swear he’s here!” the Louisiana native chuckles. After being prompted to say something on behalf of her husband, Nancy lightheartedly jokes “He’s in the bathroom, I promise. Somebody find him!”
And that’s just the highlights. The 1993 clip is pure gold, and worth the watch for any fans of classic country.
Only could happen to George…
SC Lawman
Just a few short years later, a near-death experience would change George & Nancy Jones relationship forever. George barely escaped a 1999 substance-fueled car accident with his life, and Nancy was there to help him turn everything around. Refusing to give up on him, she helped Jones navigate shutting down his upcoming concert appearances, and got him into Alcoholics Anonymous.
“God told me, ‘If you leave him, he’s going to die.’ And I said, ‘You know what – you’re too good of a man to let go to hell and I’m not gonna let you do it,'” she concluded to The Tennessean.
And the rest is history. For plenty more Country Throwbacks with the late, great George Jones, Outsider.com has you covered.