Country legend George Jones is to retire from touring after one final 60-city U.S. trek.

The singer/songwriter will hit the road for the last time in 2013 for The Grand Tour - which is also the title of one of his many country chart-toppers.

The 80 year old says, "It is tough to stop doing what I love, but the time has come."

And he'll have an amazing project to promote - Dolly Parton is writing new songs with Jones for his next album.

Jones returned to the stage in June following a stint in hospital.

The veteran musician, known as The Possum, was initially treated for an upper respiratory tract infection in March and was re-admitted to hospital in Tennessee in May when he failed to recover from the condition. (KL/WNWC/CL)