The Possum, George Jones is 80 Today![Video]

My favorite country music legend, George Jones "The Ole' Possum" is celebrating his 80th birthday today.

Jones has had more than 150 hits during his career, both as a solo artist and in duets with other artists. The shape of his nose and facial features have given Jones the nickname "The Possum." And over the past 20 years, he's been referred to as "the greatest living country singer."

His first hit was "White Lightnin'" in 1959, "The Grand Tour" followed in 1974, and there were classic hits with his then legendary wife, Tammy Wynette. They were, "We're Gonna' Hold On," in 1973, and "Golden Ring" in 1976, among others.

And how about the saddest country music song ever, "He Stopped Loving Her Today?" That huge hit was released in 1980.

Jones married Nancy Sepulvado, of Shreveport, in 1983. She became his manager and they live in Franklin, Tenn. Nancy, is credited with saving George's life after his legendary "no show" bouts with alcohol.

George was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in August, 2010, and KWKH was the only radio station to get interviews with him before the ceremony which was held in Carthage at the Junior High Auditorium. You can see the interviews online in archives.

Tom Magee, of Shreveport, answered today's KWKH trivia question, which was "Which George Jones video featured George the Possum in the boxing ring with George Foreman? Correct answer was "I Don't Need Your Rockin' Chair," and here's the video from yallwire.com.