Sam Moore Joins Nu-Blu to Pay Tribute to George Jones

Sam Moore, known as the Legendary Soul Man, joined bluegrass group Nu-Blu as a special guest on their new single, 'Jesus & Jones,' which honors the late George Jones.

"I've been a fan of George's music for a long, long time, and was fortunate enough that we called each other friends," says Moore. "This song honors him and says what we all have felt about him."

Moore was personally invited by Jones to perform in what became his tribute show, 'Playin' Possum: The Final No Show' last year, which makes his appearance on the song even more meaningful.

"We absolutely love this song and its message," Nu-Blu's Carolyn Routh says. "We played the demo for George's widow, Nancy Jones, and she loved it. With her encouragement we recorded it, and just knew we wanted to add a guest vocalist to the recording. Then we thought back to the November tribute show and remembered it was Sam Moore who had just brought the house down. You could see the love he had for George. We connected with Sam, and now the recording is done."

While Moore has lent his talents to several other projects, including Don Henley's 'You Must Not Be Drinkin' Enough' and his duet with Conway Twitty, 'Rainy Night in Georgia,' he has never before appeared on a bluegrass song.

"This is not only Sam's first time ever to record on a bluegrass song, it apparently is the first time anyone from his genre has participated on a bluegrass recording as a featured guest," Routh adds. "How cool is that! To have a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member sing on a bluegrass song. Wow, we are just so thrilled, and hope that music lovers enjoy it as much as we did making it."

George Jones passed away on April 26, 2013, from complications from pneumonia. He was 81.

'Jesus & Jones' was released to radio on July 22. The song is the first single from Nu-Blu's upcoming 'All the Way' album, which will be released on Sept. 16. The project also includes a guest appearance by Rhonda Vincent.