Discover

Story By ASHLIE OSBURN
Feature Writer

After 46 years apart, country music legend George Jones and his stolen 1957 Martin 000-18 acoustic guitar can finally be reunited, thanks to guitar "rescuers" Larry and Mary Berry, of Chandler.

"I'm hoping George will appreciate the fact that it's taken this long to get it back to him," Berry said modestly.

Berry said after 46 years of attempting to reach Jones on his own, he contacted veteran disc jockey Tom Perryman of 104.1 FM, in the hope of informing Jones of his long-lost instrument.

Perryman aided in the quest to find Jones and discover if the guitar was indeed the one stolen. He contacted country music celebrity Jim Ed Brown, who then reached Jones and conveyed Berry's story.

Jones' wife Nancy e-mailed Perryman confirming the guitar and strap was in fact the stolen memorabilia from 1962.

"You just don't see many that old, in that great of shape," Don Jones, production manager of 104.1 FM said.

In 1962, following a performance at Panther Hall in Fort Worth, unknown suspects stole Jones' guitar.

Shortly after the theft, Berry said he bought the guitar for $10 from two individuals. The "cedar-shake shinglers" were peddling the instrument in exchange for beer money.

In the carrying case, another country music relic rested alongside the guitar - a leather guitar strap displaying Jones' name and streaks of white lightning at both ends of his name.

"White Lightning" was Jones' first No. 1 hit in 1959.

Not only did the Berrys find the guitar and strap in the case, but also a tuning fork and an early version capo (a device used on the arm of a guitar to raise its pitch).

Berry said at the time he did not know who George Jones was and placed the guitar in a closet.

Jones was, however, one of his father's favorites.

"He could hear the hurt in his voice. Especially after Tammy (Wynette) died," Berry said.

After showing his father the guitar strap, he asked if it belonged to the country star.

"I would have sold it a long time ago if it hadn't been for my dad," Berry said, holding the guitar.

Perryman said in the collectors market, the guitar and strap could easily be worth thousands of dollars at online auctions such as eBay.

Mrs. Berry said over the years they could have used a little extra money. But, returning the property to its rightful owner was more important.

Berry said all he wants for safeguarding the pieces of country music history is a $10 reimbursement.

The Berrys are scheduled to present Jones the long-lost Martin guitar on the couple's 34th wedding anniversary June 14 at Diamond Jacks Casino in Bossier City, La., according to a press release.

Both said they are ready to meet Jones and return the musician's famed instrument.

"I'm happy to see it go home," Mrs. Berry said.

George Jones has released more than 1,000 different album titles, won the Male Vocalist of the Year Award nine times through various organizations and charted more singles than any artist in any genre of music, according to Jones' official Web site.

"He is a country singer's, country singer," Perryman said.

Jones has recorded duets with Ray Charles, Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, and Keith Richards. Some of Jones' signature hits include "He Stopped Loving Her Today," "White Lightning," "Window Up Above" and "A Picture Of Me Without You."

Larry Berry poses with George Jones’ guitar.
(Staff Photo by Jaime R. Carrero)