“It’s been called the greatest country song of all time,” a title it has earned countless times over. Now, fans can experience “He Stopped Loving Her Today” in a way never before imagined.
The Grand Ole Opry, in partnership with Virgin Music Group, has released a live duet version of the George Jones classic featuring Jones himself alongside Alan Jackson.
A Full-Circle Opry Moment
The recording begins with Jones’ iconic 1993 performance of the song on the Opry stage. Midway through, the spotlight shifts to Jackson’s stirring rendition of the same song, delivered in 2013 during Jones’ funeral service. Together, the two performances weave an emotional tapestry of loss, legacy, and admiration.
The pairing carries extra weight given the bond between the two artists. Jackson often credited Jones as one of his greatest influences, while Jones himself penned a famous note to Jackson, once displayed at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, thanking him for “Keepin’ It Country.”
Watch Now
Part of the OPRY 100 Celebration
The duet is among the standout tracks featured on OPRY 100: Country’s Greatest Songs, a forthcoming album that marks the Grand Ole Opry’s centennial. The collection will feature 20 never-before-released live recordings from the historic stage, serving as a celebration of the Opry’s unmatched impact on country music.
About Alan Jackson
Alan Jackson, a Country Music Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, has built one of the most decorated careers in country music history. Over three decades, he has amassed nearly 60 million albums sold worldwide, 35 No. 1 singles, 50 Top Ten hits, and more than 150 major industry awards.
With three CMA Entertainer of the Year wins, 22 ACM Awards, and multiple lifetime achievement honors to his name, Jackson has cemented his place as one of country music’s most respected figures. Beyond the stage, his AJ’s Good Time Bar in downtown Nashville remains one of the city’s premier honky-tonks and a fan-favorite destination.
