The Grand Ole Opry took two iconic performances of “He Stopped Loving Her Today” and put them together.
The result beats biscuits and gravy!
George Jones is the song’s original performer so fittingly, his 1993 performance leads this new duet. The Possum died on April 26, 2013, and a few days later, Alan Jackson sang this song at the funeral.
It’s this performance that makes the hair on your neck stand tall.
See the full video below and relive the moment if you were able to see either in person or via livestream the first time around.
- The collaboration is one of 20 songs on Opry 100: Country’s Greatest Songs, an album project set for Nov. 7.
- Performances from the late Marty Robbins, Patsy Cline, John Cash and Loretta Lynn are also highlights.
- The Opry released the Jones/Jackson song to YouTube on Monday.
Related: The 50 Greatest Classic Country Artists
Jones’ funeral was kind of epic. Not only did Jackson perform this all-timer, Vince Gill tried to perform “Go Rest High on That Mountain” with Patty Loveless, but broke down in tears. She ended up carrying the song in what is remembered as a tremendously generous, raw life moment. Some call it among his best.
“He Stopped Loving Her Today” would win George Jones a Grammy Award, as well as ACM and CMA Awards in 1980-81. It’s perhaps the greatest country song of all time, and it has certainly endured.
This video is also a snapshot of Jackson, a Country Music Hall of Famer who a few years later would admit his own health struggles. A disease called Charcot-Marie-Tooth has forced him to quit touring as of mid-2025.
Here is the full Opry 100: Country’s Greatest Songs tracklisting. The album was put together to celebrate 100 years of the Grand Ole Opry.
1. Ashley McBryde, “Your Cheatin’ Heart” (2024)
2. Marty Robbins, Marty Stuart, “El Paso” (1981 / 2024)
3. Patsy Cline, “Crazy” (1962)
4. Johnny Cash, “Ring of Fire” (1967)
5. Loretta Lynn, “Coal Miner’s Daughter” (1985)
6. Darius Rucker, “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’” (2021)
7. Dolly Parton, Patty Loveless, Marty Stuart, “I Will Always Love You” (2007)
8. Don Schlitz, Vince Gill, “The Gambler” (2025)
9. Charlie Daniels Band, “Devil Went Down to Georgia” (2015)
10. Oak Ridge Boys, “Elvira” (1980)
11. Luke Combs, “Tennessee Whiskey” (2016)
12. George Jones and Alan Jackson, “He Stopped Loving Her Today” (1993 / 2013)
13. Kelsea Ballerini, “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” (2025)
14 Randy Travis, “Forever and Ever, Amen” (1989)
15. Keith Whitley, “Don’t Close Your Eyes” (1988)
16. Reba McEntire, “Fancy” (2017)
17. Alan Jackson, “Chattahoochee” (2020)
18. Vince Gill and Patty Loveless, “Go Rest High on That Mountain” (2015)
19. Carrie Underwood, “Jesus, Take The Wheel” (2018)
20. Old Crow Medicine Show, Dom Flemons, Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, “Mama Don’t Allow / Will The Circle Be Unbroken?” (2020)
31 Country Stars You Won’t Believe Aren’t Grand Ole Opry Members
That answer is often difficult to determine, but this list of stars you won’t believe aren’t members suggests reasons where appropriate.
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes