Taylor Swift Admired George Jones’ Passion for Performing

It's been three weeks, but Nashville is still grieving the loss of George Jones. Taylor Swift recently opened up about what she'll remember about the country legend. While the two stars seem worlds apart sonically, they share a common bond.

"George Jones never stopped wanting to be onstage," Swift tells Billboard. "He played live shows until the day he died, and that passion for performing is something I look up to."

The Possum died on April 26 after a week-long hospitalization. He was remembered during an emotional ceremony at the Grand Ole Opry on May 2. Country stars like Vince Gill, Brad Paisley and Alan Jackson took the stage to tell stories of the 81-year-old and to play his music.

"I think losing George Jones deeply saddened everyone in Nashville," Swift says. "His influence on country music and his legacy will last forever. On top of all of that, he was a very sweet man and I'm so sorry we've lost him."

Swift will be at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards on Sunday (May 19) in Las Vegas. She's a finalist in 11 categories and will perform during the ABC broadcast.