Best bet: George Jones

Country fans will see a forefather of the genre Thursday at the SEMO District Fair. George Jones will play his legendary hits like "She Thinks I Still Care," "Tender Years" and "He Stopped Loving Her Today" for the crowd at 8 p.m. Thursday as the fair's grandstand entertainment for the night. Jones started his music career in the 1940s as a boy singing for tips on the streets of Beaumont, Texas, near his home of Saratoga in East Texas. His first No. 1 country hit came in 1959 with "White Lightning," and they poured in after that. Like almost any other musician, Jones has endured rough times, but he has lived to tell -- or rather sing -- about it. You can hear him do it in Cape Girardeau. Tickets are $35 and include fair admission if bought in advance.