NASHVILLE (AP) - Country music icon George Jones says he's ready for one last go-round on tour before retiring from the road.

Jones says in a statement Tuesday that 2013's The Grand Tour will be his last after more than 50 years on the road. He plans approximately 60 dates and says it's hard to quit doing what he loves, "but the time has come."

At 81, Jones is widely considered the greatest living country singer and his contributions to the genre such as "He Stopped Loving Her Today" and "White Lightning" remain standards. He's back on the road this year after postponing or canceling some dates due to an upper respiratory infection that led to a pair of hospital stays.

The news release also says Jones will soon begin working on a new album with Dolly Parton already working on songs to contribute to the project.

No timeline has been set for its release.