Whether the times have favored honky tonk songs or lushly produced “pop” offerings, George Jones has continued to make his brand of country music, which has produced hits in every decade of the second half of the 20^th century. In fact, Jones has had more charted singles than any other artist in any format in the history of popular music.

Jones had his first country #1 at Mercury Records in 1959 with “White Lightning.” The hits kept coming and he had #1’s with “Tender Years,” “She Thinks I Still Care,” “The Window Up Above,” “The Race is On,” and “Walk Through This World With Me.” In 1980, Jones released “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” His performance of that song went on to win virtually every award in music including a Grammy Award, CMA Single of the Year in 1980 and 1981 and, ten years later, Favorite Country Song of all time.

In 1992, Jones was given the “Living Legend” status when he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Ten years later Jones received the 2002 Medal of Arts from President George W. Bush at a White House ceremony. The National Medal of Arts is the nation’s highest honor for artistic excellence.

The New York Times recently proclaimed that Houston, Texas native Robert Ellis sounds “equally inspired by Jackson Browne and George Jones.” Not a bad reference point for an artist only twenty-two years old. Ellis cut his teeth performing the songs of similar luminaries around town, most notably at the neighborhood beacon, Fitzgerald’s. His “Whiskey Wednesdays” at that club are regularly packed with punkish newcomers and graying locals sharing a mutual interest in artists ranging from Ray Price to Buck Owens to the Rolling Stones. Ellis has songwriting ability equal to his encyclopedic knowledge of these greats and it shines on his upcoming New West Records debut, Photographs, due this July. The young songwriter’s second release is an impressive and diverse concept album split between five breathtaking folk songs and five soon-to-be country standards. Listening to Photographs, one finds it difficult to pigeonhole Robert Ellis. It’s even harder to remember that he’s barely just begun.

Don’t miss this country music legend George Jones, and special guest Robert Ellis as they take the stage on Thursday, October 6th at Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater.

Tickets: $35-$65