Distillery for George Jones Moonshine Destroyed in Explosion
Thursday (4-23) saw the grand opening of the brand new George Jones museum in downtown Nashville near the Lower Broadway district at 128 N. 2nd Ave. Performers such as Ricky Skaggs and Dierks Bentley showed up to peruse the 44,000 sq. ft. facility that has plans for a restaurant and music venue, along with many exhibits on the life and times of George Jones. The opening comes just ahead of the 2 year anniversary of George Jones’ death on April 26th, 2013.
Included in the museum is a gift shop that features numerous George Jones-branded items, including “He Stopped Buggin’ Her Today” bug spray, and “White Lightning” moonshine that raised some eyebrows when it was first announced since Jones had such struggles with alcohol his entire life. The museum will also feature a moonshine tasting bar, but they may have to find a new source for the homespun alcoholic beverage.
The Silver Trail Distillery in Hardin, Kentucky who makes the George Jones White Lightning moonshine exploded Friday (4-24) just before 11:00 a.m. Two workers were injured in the explosion, and were airlifted to a local hospital with major burns. The owner Spencer Balentine was not at the facility at the time of the explosion and arrived shortly after according to WPSD. The distillery was working on a large order of moonshine for the George Jones museum at the time of the explosion. One of the injured workers is said to have started working at the facility recently.
The George Jones Museum was able to open in record time. The property was only purchased by George’s widow Nancy in January. Construction workers and designers worked around the clock to meet Nancy’s desire to open the museum on the same weekend of George’s passing.
Joshua R.
April 24, 2015 @ 3:36 pm
That’s insane.
MH
April 24, 2015 @ 3:55 pm
Good work Possum.
Joshua R.
April 24, 2015 @ 7:05 pm
While I can’t help but feel like he had a hand in this, people did get injured.
Hopefully they’ll make a full recovery.
MH
April 25, 2015 @ 5:16 am
I agree. Here’s to a full recovery for the injured.
Applejack
April 24, 2015 @ 5:18 pm
Dang, this is bizarre.
Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be…
Strait Country 81
April 24, 2015 @ 6:57 pm
Things Have Gone To Pieces.
CountryKnight
April 24, 2015 @ 7:39 pm
“I made my choices.”
-George Jones
Rancher17
April 24, 2015 @ 7:41 pm
Georges’ wife Nancy, man I just don’t know about that woman. It seems everything has to be grand with her. Over the top on a lot of things, and I don’t believe George cared too much about all the grandeur of life and material things. Maybe Im wrong who knows. George was the best though.
James
April 24, 2015 @ 8:25 pm
The museum is top notch by the way. Definitely worth a visit.
Almost Out of Gas
April 25, 2015 @ 8:12 am
Moonshine tasting room? What the hell is that supposed to mean?
Six String Richie
April 25, 2015 @ 9:16 am
I used to live very close to Hardin, Kentucky. It’s too bad that the distillery exploded. With the new found popularity of bourbon in the U.S., I was hoping some company would start using that distillery again. It’s a shame. I wonder if they’ll bother to rebuild it or just let it go.
I didn’t know how I felt about George Jones branded whiskey. I get the feeling that now they will just cancel plans to make it. If they do make a Jones whiskey, they’ll probably team with an established company, like Jim Beam or Heaven Hill, to put his name on a drink. Willie Nelson had a bourbon called “Whiskey River” that was made by Heaven Hill. Maybe they’ll do the same with George.
Stephen
April 26, 2015 @ 8:42 am
The new George Jones Museum in Nashville was put together by the same group that created the Johnny Cash Museum. These are two places definitely worth visiting in downtown Nashville. First class all the way around.
Rockypoint Copper Stills
April 26, 2015 @ 8:52 am
I am in the process of building the George Jones 500 gallon still right now. I hope they can rebound with the new still in production. Jay and Kyle will be proud to run this beast. Speedy recovery my friends! .
Gordon
April 26, 2015 @ 1:19 pm
That distillery is in a local option primarily dry county.
TX MUSIC JIM
April 26, 2015 @ 8:11 pm
How about this was terrible accident. It was, speedy recovery to all. RIP George Jones!
Jackie Coble
April 26, 2015 @ 8:21 pm
Well…..seems the Ole Possum had the FINAL say in ALL this. Karma was served up One asshole at a time. Nancy Jones will/is being found out for the greedy bitch she really is. She just bragged to the Tennessean about how she saved George from himself and from Alcohol. But the greedy 2nd wife has Moonshine made to be sold w George’s name on it. Smh. You just sound like a complete IDIOT Nancy. Have several seats.
Ted St Mars
October 31, 2015 @ 2:14 pm
Wow, where is all this anger coming from. You sound like your jealous. Nancy no doubt saved George from himself. This woman is a Saint. She made George a very happy man for the rest of the time he was with us. Greedy? shame on you.