For several years, country music legend, Alan Jackson, has been discreetly dealing with a serious health challenge.
Almost two years ago, he publicly disclosed his diagnosis, stepping back from the spotlight a year later.
What happened to him and what condition has he been battling for over a decade?
Country music icon Alan Jackson has mesmerized audiences for decades with his soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Behind the scenes, however, Jackson has been fighting a personal battle far removed from the spotlight.
Jackson is a product of humble beginnings far from the glamour of the country music scene he would later dominate. Born on October 17, 1958, in the small town of Newnan, Georgia, he is the son of a mechanic father and a dietician mother. His early life was steeped in simplicity, a trait that he later injected into his music.
In his journey to stardom, Jackson had to overcome many hurdles. After marrying his high school sweetheart, Denise Jackson, in 1979, the couple moved to Nashville, Tennessee, with dreams of making it big in the music industry. However, the road to success was filled with rejections and disappointments.
In 1990, after a series of setbacks, a determined Jackson finally secured a recording deal with Arista Records. His music, noted for its traditional style, was a refreshing change, marking the conclusion of the 1980s’ synthesized pop-country era. His first album, “Here in the Real World,” was a tremendous hit, signifying his breakthrough in the country music industry.
He had written most of the songs in the album himself making his talent as a songwriter shine through. The album remained on the U.S. country charts for over a year, a testament to Jackson’s appeal and the resonance of his music with his newfound fans.
Still, this success was not a one-off event. His next two albums, released in 1991 and 1992 respectively, were even bigger hits, each spawning five No. 1 singles. Jackson’s music had not only found a place in the charts but also in the hearts of country music lovers.
In 1995, his “Greatest Hits” album was released, earning him eight significant awards, including the prestigious CMA Entertainer of the Year. One of Jackson’s most poignant songs, a tribute to those lost in the September 11 terror attacks, earned him his first Grammy Award for Best Country Song. Ultimately, Jackson’s remarkable career has seen him receive more than 45 awards over the years.
The song, titled, “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” touched hearts with its sincerity and emotional depth, like much of Jackson’s music. His career seemed to be sailing smoothly until September 2021, when he revealed a personal battle that he had kept away from the public eye for a decade.
He announced that he had been diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), a degenerative nerve condition. The revelation came during a candid interview at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, where Jackson opened up about his condition and its impact on his life. “I have this neuropathy and neurological disease,” he revealed.
CMT, named after the three doctors who first identified it, is a group of inherited disorders that cause nerve damage, primarily in the arms and legs. It affects the peripheral nervous system, causing balance problems by compromising the smaller, weaker muscles in the body’s extremities.
For Jackson, the disease had been affecting his mobility, a crucial aspect for a performer known for his energetic stage presence. Jackson’s condition is not deadly, but it is related to muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s disease. The degenerative nerve condition that Jackson is battling was also experienced by his late father, his father’s father, and his older sister.
According to Jackson, his father was able to walk a bit even into his early 70s. However, he says that in his case, the condition has affected the muscles tremendously stating, “It’s going to disable me eventually.” There is no cure for CMT, but it can be managed with supportive therapy.
Jackson’s decision to come forward with his diagnosis was a big step, yet this reality was initially something Jackson had been reluctant to share with his fans until it started to affect his performance on stage. He stated, “I just didn’t want people to think I was just drunk up there.”
“In some ways, it’s a relief because I was starting to get so self-conscious up there, about stumbling around,” he said. “And it just made me nervous up there trying to keep my balance. And I look pitiful. So I think it’ll be good for me now to get it out in the open, and so if anybody’s curious why I don’t walk right, that’s why.”
Even with the hurdles his condition presents, Jackson, a stalwart in the country music scene for over three decades, expressed no plans to step back from the limelight. He shared his intention to keep performing to the best of his ability, eschewing the idea of a formal retirement tour.
Jackson has always looked up to his idols like Charley Pride, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, and Merle Haggard, who performed as much as they desired, for as long as they were able. He’s always aspired to follow in their footsteps, performing as long as his health permits. With a smile, he revealed, “I’ll strive to do as much as I can, so if I’m heading your way, make sure to come see me.”
Jackson’s revelation was met with an outpouring of support from his fans. They reacted with comments like, “Prayers for him & his family. Love his music,” and “Alan Jackson is a true country songwriter and singer. Just love listening to his music. Prayers for him and his family,” echoing the sentiments of many.
Despite his condition, Jackson asserted that he remains grateful for his blessings and is aware that people are dealing with more serious problems. He emphasized that his condition doesn’t affect his life, only his ability to perform on stage.
In March 2022, Jackson revealed his plans for the tour “Last Call: One More for the Road Tour.” This tour was a collaboration with the CMT Research Foundation to raise funds for finding treatments for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). For every ticket that was sold, a contribution of $1 was made to the CMT Research Foundation.
Moreover, a group of supporters and board members committed to matching the donations made through ticket sales, dollar for dollar. The tour was a special endeavor for Jackson, involving visits to cities and areas he hadn’t been to in several years, possibly for the last time. Since then, Jackson has not had another tour and has been keeping a low profile, withdrawing from the public eye.
Jackson has weathered some tough times together with his family. His oldest daughter was widowed at a young age, and his wife has battled cancer. Through it all, Jackson has remained a pillar of strength, stating, “Luckily, she got through that and she’s as healthy as ever and I’d say she will outlive me.”
The couple, married for more than 40 years, have had their share of ups and downs, but Jackson is proud that they have survived. He said, “I feel like we’re closer than we’ve ever been and more comfortable with each other and happier than we’ve ever been in these last few years.”
