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INTERVIEW: Sammy Kershaw discusses George Jones tribute, ‘Do You Know Me?’
Sammy Kershaw is honoring the memory of his life-long friend and mentor, George Jones, with his new album, “Do You Know Me? A Tribute to George Jones.” Kershaw first met Jones at the age of 14 and has been compared to Jones by fans and critics alike throughout his entire career.
“I always felt like I knew George Jones before I ever met him," Kershaw lamented. According to him, the two were friends for 42 years. He recalls Jones asking him on stage to sing the Charlie Pride song, “Is Anybody Going to San Antone” as the first time he performed with Jones. Kershaw not only cites George Jones as being the King of Country Soul music, but also as being his personal mentor both on and off the stage. It was only natural for Kershaw to honor his life-long friend.
According to Kershaw, “We had decided to cut (the song) ‘The Route That I Took’ for George, but we never got the chance to play it for him before he passed.” A George Jones tribute album an idea already being thrown around when Kershaw had learned of Jones’ passing.
As for choosing which tracks to cover on the album, Kershaw simply choose some of his favorite. Some of the standout tracks include “White Lightning,” “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” and “When The Grass Grows Over Me,” the latter of which tops the favorite list of Kershaw. Jones’ daughter, Georgette Jones, also guests on the album in the duet, “Near You,” where she covers the vocals of her mother, classic country songstress Tammy Wynette.
According to Georgette Jones, “(Sammy is) the closest voice I know to my Dad's. I'm so thrilled he's done this tribute and it was a huge honor to record this duet with him.”
The album hit stores July 22nd and is available digitally through iTunes and Amazon. Sammy Kershaw has sold over five million records with 24 Top 40 singles in his career. He’s notched 11 Top 10 hits between 1992 and 1998, including the number one hit, “She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful.”
