The Three of Us: Growing Up with Tammy and George

by Georgette Jones, Patsi Bale Cox

GEORGE & TAMMY IS NOW A LIMITED SERIES—STARRING JESSICA CHASTAIN AND MICHAEL SHANNON! Georgette Jones—the only child of country music’s “First Couple,” George Jones and Tammy Wynette—pens a memoir about life with her parents and the journey back to a relationship with her estranged father. The marriage of George Jones and Tammy Wynette was hailed as a union made in honky-tonk heaven. And when little Tamala Georgette Jones was born in 1970, she was considered country music’s heir apparent. For the first four years of her life, Georgette had two adoring parents who showed her off at every opportunity, and between her parents, grandparents, older sisters, and cheering fans, Georgette’s feet seldom hit the ground. But as in every fairy tale, dark forces were just around the corner. Her parents fought, and George drank. George and Tammy divorced when Georgette was four, and it would be years before she understood just what that meant. The Three of Us is an honest and heartfelt look into the life of a broken family living in the glare of the public spotlight. Like so many of her generation, Georgette had to make sense of loving two parents who couldn’t love each other. With never-before-told stories about George and Tammy, it recounts Tammy’s descent into prescription pill addiction, her dependence on her fifth husband, George Richey, and her untimely death at the age of fifty-five. Georgette opens up about her broken relationship with her father and what it took for them to come back together. Lastly, Georgette discusses the ups and downs of her adult failed marriages, illness, an arrest, and now, an unexpected but thrilling career as a musician. A story of both extreme privilege and great trials, of larger-than-life people with larger-than-life problems, The Three of Us is rich in country music history. It is filled with twists and turns, highs and lows, but in the end, it stands as an intensely moving tale of love, loss, heartbreak, and what it means to be a family.

Genres: Nonfiction, Music, Biography, Memoir, Biography Memoir

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 24, 2011

Reviews

[Archie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Make no mistake, this book is about Georgette, as an autobiography ought to be. She was young when her parents split up and rarely saw her father for a variety of reasons, so this isn't the place to come for lots of anecdotes about the George and Tammy years.

But Georgette is brutally honest in the book, both about herself, her family and those surrounding them, and it makes this book refreshing and insightful. We get insights into Tammy, at least as it appeared to a child and young woman but, even better, we get a courageous self-examination into what Georgette's life looked like through her eyes.

She's an extraordinary woman and the book is an excellent read. Highly recommended.

[Guy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book focuses more on Georgette and Tammy, since George just wasn't around for so much of Georgette's teen years. There are some particularly sad revelations of George Richey's (Tammy's last husband) abuse and, as with Tammy's daughter Jackie's book, and the recent bio of Tammy, more than a hint of Richey's culpability in her death.

Though "The Three of Us" was co-written with Patsi Bale Cox, this is very much Georgette's voice. I enjoyed reading about how much both of her parents valued integrity and how humble they were in regards to their careers. The style Georgette uses to explain her own life circumstances and choices within this maelstrom of being the daughter of "Mr. and Mrs. Country Music" show her strength, but it also made me sad that she had to share both of her parents at a time when she really needed them.

Something that's different about this book from other celebrity bios I've read is the capacity Georgette has to see her folks' careers as jobs, so we learn about the people underneath all the publicity. Both George and Tammy battled addiction, but this story removes that disease from the "War on Drugs" crusade that condemns the afflicted, to one of greater compassion for the underlying causes of addiction.

[Edwina Book Anaconda]

George Jones passed away yesterday. (4-26-2013)
Today I find this book in the discount bin at Wal-Mart.
It was lying right on top and calling to me ... lol.

[Dale Stonehouse · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book suffers in comparison to Jimmy McDonough's bio of Tammy Wynette, but even so it lacks a compelling hook. There is some insight into the marriage of Wynette and George Jones, and some nice observations of her friendship with legends Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn, among others. One thing seems obvious after reading this: everyone close to Tammy Wynette is convinced her 5th husband George Richey murdered her by intravenous medication overdose, overwork, and/or a combination of the two.

[Christi · Rating 2 out of 5]

A miss for me

I love reading autobiographies and memoirs. I always try to keep an open mind so that my review reflects the actual book and not my feelings about the author's life choices. In this case, there just wasn't much to go on. There were a few times when I thought "Ok, we're going to do more than just scratch the surface here!" but then it just fell flat. There were several references to other people's books, but no real depth to this one. I'm a little disappointed.

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in one day, it is a enjoyable read, down home, nice storytelling manner. Georgette is refreshing in her attitude and there is no mean spirit in her book. George Jones is distant through most of it, but still likeable and Tammy seems to be a classy lady who tragically died before her time. It doesn't go into great detail on Tammy's death and I'd like to learn more.

[Chris Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great look into George Jones and Tammy Wynette's world

If you are a fan of Tammy and George as well as Georgette-very talented as well- this book covers some of the things you may have read in the books by Tammy and George. It's just from a different perspective. Very enjoyable to be. Could not put it down.

[sheryl beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

i appreciated the author's earnest telling of her story.
i only knew the headlines about her parents. if you want the details of the troubles they had
then this probably isn't your book.
she wasn't an apologist and why should she be. life is hard and facing the truth is hard.
she didn't deny hard truths.
i read this because it was free and sounded interesting. i enjoyed it.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up at the library on a whim and read it in one night--it was an easy and quick read. While I have not followed the lives of any of these people, it was interesting to hear what Georgette Jones had to say about life with her famous parents.

[Patsy Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and read it in 24 hours. It was a wonderful look back at the royalty of country music. Who knew there were problems in the kingdom?

[Marianne Meyers · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not a country music fan, but I'm always interested in family dynamics. I read this in an hour and a half.

[Tammyg · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had SUCH a hard time getting through this book. It was jumping all over the place. Couldn't finish it.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

was interesting, seemed to shy away from anything bad to say about George and Tammy...A mediocre read..

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it was interesting in some parts, others dragged on and got confusing. I liked it, but wouldn't say I loved it.

[Elaine]

Very interesting look at the private lives of George &Tammy.

[Heather Barry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reads like diary/conversation but fast read.

[Tim Webb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read for fans of Tammy and George. I had trouble putting it down because I wanted to know what happened next. Obviously an insider view but still informative.

[Martha Pink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story.

I did not know the story of Tammy Wynette or know of her songs, cooking and marriages.
I didnt know the story of Georgette Jones but loved the story of her Mom and Dad and their life. I saw a bit of their story streamed on a free channel but would have to pay to learn the rest of the story. When I had the opportunity to read Georgettes book, I was excited. The book did not disappoint and I wished I had payed attention to these country stars. Thank you for the book Georgette. Such an important story to learn as a baby boomer.

[Marie Kruse · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book seemed to be written from the authors memories starting at age 6. The use of her words, MeeMaw and PeePaw, was used more times than I care to count. At one point, it was every single page. I understand that is what the author called them, but after a time, it got so redundant, that I didn't even care.
I wanted to read this book because I thought it was a reference for the mini series, GEORGE AND TAMMY. This book was all about Georgette Jones and little to do with her mother and father. It should have been named MY LIFE WITH TAMMY AND GEORGE.

[TJ STEWART · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought the book after watching the mini series, George and Tammy, as I wanted more information, I wanted to understand.

This is so well written, I was halfway through it before I realised.

It's defo worth a read, but it's not a...dish the dirt...book. So don't go into it thinking it is. It's a daughter's telling of her parents' marriage and what happened after the break up.

It's a good book.

[Candida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I bought this book right after I watched the mini series George and Tammy. I became a fan of George Jones in my late teens. His story intrigued me and I felt I needed to hear about his life from a reliable source.
This book was amazing. It was written in a way that didn't feel judgmental. The story was heartfelt and revealing. I couldn't put it down and I found myself sharing information with my family all the way to the end.

[Tracy Heck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Those looking for an in depth look at the lives of George and Tammy will be disappointed. Most of what's here was common knowledge, but the book is a great look at what happens to the children in such a tumultuous public relationship and hearing how Georgette was able to eventually reconcile with her father is touching and an inspiration for those in such a fraught situation.

[Patricia Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

georgettes story of growing up with 2 famous parents and her rough relationship with her father she never really knew it give us a look at tammy and george that is not seen by the public eyes and how tammys last husband george richey cheated her children out of everything how he pushed tammy to work when she was sick so he could buy more and more to the point that tammy was bankrup because of him

[Susan Morris]

I'll admit it - I decided to read this book as it was noted as being used to create the great mini-series "George and Tammy". I had hoped it would offer more insight into one of the most legendary country music marriages and stars - but it really was flat and one questions much of the story itself.

[Dkolacinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Georgette and Tammy and George (who mostly was a "no show". Don't look for dirt or gossip, just a heart-felt tale of someone who was the only child of two people who were somebodys. Very touching and moving.

[Deborah Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must Read.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Not all of it is happy, but its real.
Georgette did herself and her parents proud.
May Tammy Wynette and George Jones Rest in Peace.
All the best to Georgette and the rest of her family, including George's widow, Nancy.

[Roxanne Cordonier · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't waste your time reading this poorly written, boring memoir. Just watch the mini series about Tammy and George with Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain, that was fascinating and all the juicy, sad drama is there.

[Susan Waters · Rating 2 out of 5]

Immature Content

This story is written like a high schooler's diary. Jumps from one relationship to another. Lots of family dysfunction. Sad in many ways.

[Ami Bakken · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad

Interesting look into the life of stardom. It is very sad and painful, but I guess people can overcome things.

[Marcy J Anderson]

Great book!

I enjoyed reading this book. It is always so interesting to learn about the inside story of famous families lives from those who have lived it. Well written.