George Jones Was Laid to Rest at the Opry. Vince Gill Started “Go Rest High on That Mountain,” Then His Voice Broke

George Jones died on April 26, 2013, at the age of 81. Six days later, on May 2, his family, friends and fans filled the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville to say goodbye.

Among the crowd were his widow, Nancy, former First Lady Laura Bush, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Barbara Mandrell, Charlie Daniels and many more. Singer after singer stepped up to honor the man so many called the greatest country singer who ever lived.

Then Vince Gill and Patty Loveless came out together.

Before they sang, Vince told the crowd, “Brother George taught us all how to sing with a broken heart, better than anybody that ever lived.” George had given Vince a nickname, “Sweet Pea,” and Vince said that every time someone called him that, he would think of George.

Then he began “Go Rest High on That Mountain.” Vince started writing the song after the death of his friend Keith Whitley, and he finished it after losing his older brother, Bob. He has sung it at many sad occasions since.

But this time was different. Partway through, his voice cracked, and he could barely get the words out. Patty stepped in, carrying the harmony and the lead, while Vince kept playing his guitar and found his way back to the song.

Vince later said that he “fell apart” singing it that day. “That room was stoic until I fell apart and gave the room a chance to do that,” he remembered.

When they finished, the crowd rose to its feet.

Sometimes the most beautiful music is the kind that isn’t perfect. It’s just real.

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