Nancy Jones, widow of George Jones, presented a combined $100,480.66 to The George Jones Scholarship at Middle Tennessee State University and to the charity Concerts 4 A Cause on Nov. 5 during MTSU Night at the Grand Ole Opry. Each organization received $50,240.33, according to the announcement, with the funds drawn from proceeds of the George Jones 95th Birthday Celebration, a tribute concert held Sept. 13 at The Nashville Palace in Nashville.
The event, presented by Hot Chicken Productions and hosted by Cledus T. Judd, was billed as sold out and featured performances from Jamey Johnson, ERNEST, Lorrie Morgan, Randy Travis, T. Graham Brown, Uncle Kracker and others. Beverly Keel, dean of MTSU’s Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment, accepted the check on behalf of the scholarship fund, while Josh Bleidt, founder of Concerts 4 A Cause, accepted the donation for his organization.
The partnership between Nancy Jones and Concerts 4 A Cause follows an earlier fundraising effort for police officers and their families after an ambush in Huntsville, Alabama. The scholarship supports MTSU students who study the life and music of George Jones, the Country Music Hall of Fame singer known for hits including “He Stopped Loving Her Today” and “The Grand Tour.”
Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Jeremy Westby / 2911 Media Alert, 2911.us.