Music Friday: ‘Golden Ring’ Reflects Country Legends' Real-Life Rocky Romance

Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you great throwback songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, second-hand bridal jewelry on display at a pawn shop in Chicago is the focus of “Golden Ring,” a chart-topping duet by country legends George Jones and Tammy Wynette.

In the song, we follow a golden band through a cycle of young love, marriage and eventual heartbreak. Jones and Wynette were married for six years, but divorced in 1975. They continued to perform after the breakup and scored a #1 hit in 1976 with a song that seemed to mirror the story of their tumultuous relationship.

The beginning of the song introduces the listener to a glittering ring that symbolizes all the promise of a young love. The second verse sees the couple exchanging vows and making a home for themselves. In the last verse, however, we learn that the relationship has gone sour and the ring has returned to the window display at the store where it was originally purchased.

The chorus punctuates the prevailing theme: “By itself it’s just a cold metallic thing / Only love can make a golden wedding ring.”

Written by Bobby Braddock and Rafe Van Hoy, “Golden Ring” was the title track to the Jones/Wynette duet album released in 1976 and the second of three #1 hits sung by the duo. The first was “We’re Gonna Hold On” (1973) and the last was “Near You” (1977).

Even though her marriage to Jones didn’t end well, in her autobiography, Wynette wrote, “The most fun, the most wonderful part of my career was working with George.”

Born in a log cabin in the small town of Saratoga, TX, Jones got his first guitar at the age of nine. By 1955, at the age of 24, Jones had already served in the Marines, was married twice and recorded his first hit song, “Why Baby Why.” In 1969, he married Wynette.

Over a career that spanned seven decades, Jones is credited with charting 168 country songs. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1992. Jones passed away in 2013 at the age of 81.

Wynette, who was born in Tremont, MS, in 1942, is considered to be one of the most influential singers in country music history. She scored 20 #1 hits on the U.S. country singles charts (16 solo, three with Jones, and one with David Houston). She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and was ranked #2 in Country Music Television’s “40 Greatest Women of Country Music.”

Plagued by medical problems, which required 15 major operations, Wynette passed away in 1998 at the age of 55.

Please check out the performance of “Golden Ring” by Wynette and Jones. The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…

“Golden Ring”
Written by Bobby Braddock and Rafe Van Hoy. Performed by Tammy Wynette and George Jones.

In a pawn shop in Chicago
On a sunny summer day
A couple gazes at the wedding rings
There on display

She smiles n’ nods her head
As he says, “Honey that’s for you,
It’s not much, but it’s the best
That I can do.”

Golden rings (golden ring) with one tiny little stone
Waiting there (waiting there) for someone to take you home
By itself (by itself) it’s just a cold metallic thing
Only love can make a golden wedding ring

In a little wedding chapel later on that afternoon
An old upright piano plays that old familiar tune
Tears roll down her cheeks
And happy thoughts run through her head
As he whispers low, “With this ring, I thee wed.”

Golden ring (golden ring) with one tiny little stone
Shining ring (shining ring) now at last it’s found a home
By itself (by itself) it’s just a cold metallic thing
Only love can make a golden wedding ring

Ooo-ooo
In a small two room apartment
As they fought their final round
He says, “You won’t admit it,
But I know you’re leavin’ town.”

She says, “One thing’s for certain,
I don’t love you any more.”
And throws down the ring
As she walks out the door

Golden ring (golden ring) with one tiny little stone
Cast aside (cast aside) like the love that’s dead and gone
By itself (by itself) it’s just a cold metallic thing
Only love can make a golden wedding ring

In a pawn shop in Chicago
On a sunny summer day
A couple gazes at the wedding rings
There on display,
Golden ring

Credit: Screen capture via Youtube.com / TammyWynettemusic.

Fake Traffic Stop by Eau Claire Police Turns Into Surprise Marriage Proposal

Moriah Prichard tried to keep her cool as her boyfriend, Troy Goldschmidt, was being detained during a routine traffic stop in front of the Pablo Center in downtown Eau Claire, WI.

Officers Maggie Anderson and Josh Miller had pulled the couple over, claiming that one of the car's tail lights was out. But then Miller instructed Goldschmidt, who was driving, to step out of the car because there was an issue with his license.

The situation got even more dicey when Officer Anderson asked Prichard to get out of the car and Officer Miller seemed to be placing her boyfriend under arrest. Goldschmidt was on one knee with his hands behind his back.

"My nervousness was growing a little bit, but I thought it must just be a mistake," Prichard told WQOW News 18. "Looked over my shoulder and noticed his hands were being put behind his back, and I was definitely starting to get a little concerned."

Prichard's despair turned to elation when Goldschmidt — still on one knee — professed his love and presented the ring box he was hiding behind his back. Yes, the traffic stop was a carefully orchestrated ruse.

"I love you so much. You are my best friend," he began. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Would you marry me?"

Without hesitation, Prichard said "Yes."

At that point, he opened the box, stood up and put the engagement ring on her finger.

The officers congratulated the couple as hugs and handshakes were shared all around.

"You guys have been awesome," Goldschmidt told the officers.

Then the groom-to-be asked his new fiancée if she liked the ring.

"It's gorgeous!" she exclaimed.

The Eau Claire Police Department shared the body cam footage on its official Facebook page under the caption, "You never know what's going to happen on a traffic stop."

The Wausau couple had a great time when they visited Eau Claire back in March and were impressed by how friendly the people were. In fact, Prichard had lost her phone on that trip and Officer Anderson helped her recover it.

Goldschmidt was certain that he would return to Eau Claire with his girlfriend in late November when he was planning to propose.

"They had a very positive experience with Officer Andersen, and Troy was hoping she could be involved in the proposal," officer Miller told News 18. "Troy said they were coming into town again… to see a show, so he and I coordinated to do a traffic stop on them when they got into town."

You can check out the three-minute video here…

According to WEAU 13 News, both Goldschmidt's and Prichard's families were inside The District Pub & Grill watching the proposal happen across the street.

Commenting on the video post, Goldschmidt wrote, "Thank you so much, ECPD! I'm glad you had the video because I barely remember what I said. Neither Moriah and I have been able to stop smiling!"

A spokesperson for the ECPD responded, "It was such a pleasure to be a part of your special moment. Congrats to you both!"

On her own Facebook page, Prichard noted that she is not a big social media user, but HAD to share the ECPD video, writing, "Thank you SO much Eau Claire Police Department for volunteering your time! And Troy Goldschmidt for your love, care and creativity! I couldn't be happier, and I can't WAIT to spend the rest of my life with you! Excuse me while I go practice writing my new last name…"

Credits: Screen captures via Facebook / EauClairePD.

Taco Bell Canada to Reveal Lab-Grown Diamonds Made From Taco Shells

Taco Bell Canada is about to unveil its "biggest crown jewel yet" — four 1-carat lab-grown diamonds made from taco shells. The diamonds serve as an ode to what the company calls "the perfectly imperfect nature of tacos."

"Taco Bell is all about celebrating life's messy moments and embracing what it means to be imperfect," said Devon Lawrence, marketing director for Taco Bell Canada. "The idea that even something as beautiful as diamonds have imperfections reinforces our brand mantra to 'Live Mas,' and celebrate our authentic, messy and beautiful selves! And what better way to mark the occasion than with friends – the people who celebrate you for exactly who you are."

On December 1 and 2 at a pop-up event at 1153 Queen St. W. in Toronto, besties are invited to see the diamonds up-close and enjoy a variety of activities for free. These include the following:

-- Getting matching tote bags
-- Taking cheesy photos at the photo booth with fun props and filters
-- Receiving matching temporary tattoos
-- Getting permanent friendship bracelets

What's more, Taco Bell fans in Canada are encouraged to enter a drawing to win a pair of matching Taco Bell Diamond Friendship Necklaces featuring the taco-derived diamonds. Each pair is valued at $20,000 CAD.

As the hardest substance know to man, the diamonds in the Taco Bell Canada promotion celebrate the unbreakable friendships in our lives.

According to Taco Bell Canada's marketing team, the process of growing the diamonds from taco shells took more than 12 months to complete at a "top-secret, undisclosed location." We're not sure why the process took so long because conventional lab-grown diamonds typically require only a few weeks to form.

Diamonds are composed of pure carbon. And while we've heard of diamonds grown from the carbon obtained from hair or cremation ashes, this may be the first time taco shells have been used in the process.

To enter the contest, Taco Bell lovers must follow Taco Bell Canada on Instagram or TikTok, like the "Friends Are Forever" post and tag their bestie in the comments. The contest is open to Canadian residents, except for those in Quebec, and runs from November 21 to December 8, 2023. The winners will be drawn on December 11, 2023.

Credit: Image courtesy of CNW Group/Taco Bell Canada.