ELB remembers George Jones

(Nashville, Tennessee...) - No new artist in recent memory had the relationship with George Jones as a friend, mentor and cheerleader like singer/songwriter Eric Lee Beddingfield, and he joins the country music community in grieving over the death of his musical hero.

"George and Nancy treated my family and me like we were their own," said Eric. "I had no idea asking him to sing on one of my songs would turn into an incredible relationship I will cherish the rest of my life. As amazing as he was on stage and on record, I got to see first-hand his generosity and the incredible opportunity he gave a brand new artist like me. He was the first, the last and the only, and there will never be another one like him. I will miss him."

Eric had a dream come true two years ago, when George sang on his "The Gospel According to Jones" single, which was the most played single by an independent artist on the Music Row chart in 2011 and lead to Beddingfield being named the magazine's "Independent Artist of the Year" in 2012. "The Possum" also appeared in Beddingfield's "The Gospel According to Jones" music video, which received strong national play. The clip can be viewed here.

A chance meeting at a local restaurant offered the opportunity to put the song in George's hands.

"We were eating lunch, and half-joking about cool it would be to get George to sing on this song knowing it would probably never happen," said Eric. "We get up to leave, and George and (his wife) Nancy are sitting two tables away. I ran to the studio, made a copy of the song, brought it back to the restaurant and told them it would be an honor for George just to listen to the song. I still can't believe a couple of months later I was standing next to him in the studio listening to one of the greatest voice in country music sing on my song!"

Eric made his Grand Ole Opry debut on September 13, 2011 performing "The Gospel According to Jones" at "The Possum's" 80th birthday celebration. He also joined The Oak Ridge Boys, Alan Jackson, and Joe Diffie in singing the Jones smash "I Don't Need Your Rockin' Chair" on stage with George Jones that night. For the past couple of years, "The Gospel According to Jones was played at every George Jones concert just prior to Jones taking the stage.

ELB wins Music Row Independent Artist of the year

Eric Lee Beddingfield named Music Row Magazines Independent Artist of the Year. Click Here to read the full article and see pictures from the awards ceremony.

615 Spotlight: Eric Lee Beddingfield Mingles With Legends

Eric Lee Beddingfield interviewed by Billboard.com Check out the full interview by clicking here

Video Review of "Gospel According to Jones"

Markos Papadatos of Broken Records online did a review of the video for "The Gospel According to Jones" Click Here to read the review.

Gospel According to Jones Video Released

Eric Lee Beddingfields long awaited video for his single "The Gospel According to Jones" was released today. The video which includes a cameo appearance from George Jones himself, debuted last week at the George Jones fan party during CMA fan fest. Keep an eye out for the video on CMT and GAC. Check it out here: The Gospel According to Jones (Feat. George Jones) Official Video

ELB featured on George Jones.com

ELB featured on George Jones website. Click here to check it out.

ELB on Music News Nashville

New ELB interview posted at Music News Nashville dot com. Be sure to go check it out.