Daron Letts
Northern News Services

Hay River (Oct 24/05) - Country music fans from all over the Territories made their way to Yellowknife earlier this month to see George Jones in concert. Likely none enjoyed the experience more than 23-year-old Harry Beaulieu of Hay River.

Harry Beaulieu of Hay River meets his idol, country music legend George Jones, at the Yellowknife airport on Oct. 6. Gary Hubert of Wolfpack Productions arranged the meeting between the two. - Daron Letts/NNSL photo

Beaulieu's foster-caregivers of 14 years, Linda and David Sanguez, drove him to Yellowknife the day before the Oct. 16 event. They kept the concert a surprise, telling Beaulieu they were taking the trip just to visit some friends.

The next day, after picking up a couple of George Jones CDs, the family rode around town in style - in the plush comfort of a limousine, provided by Arctic Executive Limousines. The tour ended at the airport, where Beaulieu got the thrill of a lifetime. Gary Hubert of Wolfpack Productions presented him with tickets for that night's concert then introduced him to his idol, who had just stepped off the plane.

Jones shook Beaulieu's hand and promised to meet with him again after the concert.

"During the concert, Harry was just in awe," Linda said. "He sat there and enjoyed all the music, taking it all in. It was awesome."

Jones began the concert with his first number one hit, Why, Baby, Why. The high energy, sold-out audience kept cheering and singing along all evening.

Afterward, Jones kept his promise, ushering Beaulieu to the front of the line for an autograph in his dressing room. Beaulieu received another handshake and a hug from his hero, leaving with an autographed T-shirt, a CD and a photo.

"I'm sure it's a memory that Harry will treasure forever," Linda said.

Beaulieu's coworkers at the Hay River Soup Kitchen, where he cleans up trash and shovels snow, saw how pleased he was with the experience when he came to work carrying Jones' autographed photo.

Ask Beaulieu about meeting Jones and he'll smile his bright smile and tell you: "It was good!"