Growing up listening to mostly gospel music, Alan Jackson watched his life take a drastic turn when introduced to singers like Hank Williams Jr. and Gene Watson. Getting a taste of country music, Jackson used that passion to launch a career that led him to become the face of the genre. Throughout his nearly four decades in country music, the singer sold over 75 million albums, was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Off the stage, Jackson also helped build a loving family. And with the singer 66 years old, it seemed that Jackson approached the end of his career.
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Kicking off his One More For The Road Tour a few years ago, Jackson traveled all over the country, giving fans one last show. Using it as a moment to celebrate his career and thank fans for their years of support, the country star recently performed at the Kia Center in Orlando. According to his touring schedule, only two concerts remained. One in Tampa on April 26 and the other in Milwaukee on May 17.
Alan Jackson Focused On Family And Health
Back when Jackson announced the farewell tour, he shared his thoughts on social media, writing, “I’ve been touring for over 30 years, you know, played everywhere in the country and parts of the world. Have had a wonderful career, and getting into my twilight years, and all my daughters are grown, and I got one grandchild and one on the way. Enjoy spending more time at home, and don’t want to be away like I had to be in my younger days, and I don’t tour as much now as I did 10 years ago.”
Writing the words every country music fan hated to hear, Jackson concluded, “I think it’s getting time to start thinking about hanging it up full-time.”
Outside of his legacy in country music, Jackson revealed he suffered for Charcot-Marie-Tooth. “Most of my fans know I have a degenerative health condition that effects my legs and arms and my mobility that I got from my daddy and it’s getting worse. So, it makes me more uncomfortable on stage, and I just have a hard time,.”
With Jackson listening to his body, he insisted, “I just want to think about maybe calling it quits before I’m unable to do the job like I want to.”
(Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images)
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