Alan Jackson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alan Jackson
Jackson in 2010
Background information
Birth name	Alan Eugene Jackson
Born	(1958-10-17) October 17, 1958 (age 66) Newnan, Georgia, U.S.
Genres	Neotraditional country bluegrass gospel
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Years active	1987–present
Labels	Arista Nashville EMI Nashville Alan's Country Records

Alan Eugene Jackson (born October 17, 1958) is a famous American country music singer and songwriter. He is known for his "neotraditional country" style, which means he keeps country music sounding classic. Alan Jackson has written many of his own songs. He has released 21 studio albums, including Christmas and gospel music, plus three greatest hits collections.

Alan Jackson is one of the best-selling music artists ever. He has sold over 75 million records around the world. In the United States alone, he has sold 44 million records. He has had 66 songs appear on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. Out of these, 35 songs reached the number one spot! He has also won many awards, including two Grammy Awards and 16 CMA Awards. He is a member of the Grand Ole Opry and was added to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2017.

Some of his most famous songs include "Chattahoochee," "Livin’ On Love," "Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)," "It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere," and "Remember When."

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Alan Jackson was born in Newnan, Georgia. His parents were Joseph Eugene and Ruth Musick Jackson. He grew up with four older sisters in a small home. His family is mostly of English background. Alan started writing music in 1983.

When he was young, Alan mostly listened to gospel music. Later, a friend introduced him to country artists like Gene Watson and Hank Williams Jr.. After high school, he joined a band called Dixie Steel. Alan worked in construction and as a forklift operator while playing music in small clubs. When he was 27, he and his wife, Denise, moved to Nashville, Tennessee. Nashville is known as the home of country music, and Alan hoped to become a full-time musician there. In 1987, he recorded a demo album called New Traditional.

Alan Jackson's Music Career

Getting Started in Nashville

In Nashville, Alan Jackson first worked in the mailroom at The Nashville Network (TNN). One day in 1986, he was asked to sing on a TV show called You Can Be a Star. He sang "He Stopped Loving Her Today" by George Jones. The audience loved it, and a songwriter named Keith Stegall noticed him. Keith Stegall later produced many of Alan's albums.

Around the same time, Alan's wife, Denise, who was a flight attendant, met famous singer Glen Campbell on a plane. She asked him for advice for Alan. Campbell gave her his manager's business card, which helped Alan's career take off. Alan eventually signed with Arista Records. In 1989, he became the first artist to sign with the new Arista Nashville label.

First Albums and Big Hits

Alan Jackson's first single, "Blue Blooded Woman," came out in late 1989. His first big hit was "Here in the Real World" in 1990. This song was also the title of his first album. That album also had other top songs like "Wanted" and "Chasin' That Neon Rainbow." His first number one hit was "I'd Love You All Over Again."

His second album, Don't Rock the Jukebox, came out in 1991. It had four number one songs: "Don't Rock the Jukebox," "Someday," "Dallas," and "Love's Got a Hold on You."

His third album, A Lot About Livin' (And a Little 'bout Love), was released in 1992. It included the number one hits "She's Got the Rhythm (And I Got the Blues)" and "Chattahoochee." "Chattahoochee" won him awards for Single and Song of the Year in 1994. His fourth album, Who I Am (1994), had four more number one hits: "Summertime Blues," "Livin' on Love," "Gone Country," and "I Don't Even Know Your Name."

Later 1990s and 2000s Success

In 1995, Alan released The Greatest Hits Collection. It had 17 of his hits and two new songs that also became number one. His 1996 album, Everything I Love, included the number one songs "Little Bitty" and "There Goes."

In 1999, Alan released Under the Influence, an album of classic country covers. At the 1999 CMA Awards, George Jones was asked to shorten his performance. In support of Jones, Alan Jackson stopped his own song and sang a part of Jones's song "Choices." This showed his respect for traditional country music.

Jackson performing in 2002

In the early 2000s, Alan Jackson and George Strait sang "Murder on Music Row." This song talked about how country music was changing to sound more like pop music. It started a big discussion about whether traditional country music was disappearing.

After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Alan Jackson released "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)." This song was a tribute to those affected by the attacks. He first sang it at the 2001 CMA Awards, and it became a huge hit. His website even crashed because so many people wanted to see it! The song was later included on his 2002 album, Drive.

In 2006, Alan released a gospel music album called Precious Memories. He made this album because his mother loved religious music. It sold over 1.8 million copies. Later that year, he released Like Red on a Rose, which had a different, softer sound. For his next album, Good Time (2008), he returned to his classic country style. This album included popular songs like "Small Town Southern Man" and "Country Boy."

Jackson performing in 2005

2010s and Beyond

Jackson performing in 2012

His album Freight Train was released in 2010. It featured songs like "It's Just That Way" and "Hard Hat and a Hammer." In 2010, he also released a greatest hits collection called 34 Number Ones. This album included a cover of the Johnny Cash song "Ring of Fire" and a duet with Zac Brown Band called "As She's Walking Away."

In 2012, Alan released Thirty Miles West. He followed this with his second gospel album, Precious Memories Volume II, in 2013. Later that year, he released his first bluegrass album, The Bluegrass Album. This album reached number one on the Billboard Top Bluegrass Albums chart.

In 2014, the Country Music Hall of Fame opened an exhibit celebrating Alan Jackson's 25 years in music. His 25th anniversary "Keeping It Country" tour began in 2015. In July 2015, he released his twentieth studio album, Angels and Alcohol. In 2017, Alan Jackson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. His album Where Have You Gone was released in 2021.

Awards and Honors

Alan Jackson has received many awards throughout his career.

• He became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1991.
• In 2002, he set a record at the CMA Awards for having the most nominations in one year (ten), many for his song "Where Were You."
• In 2004, a five-mile stretch of Interstate 85 in his hometown of Newnan was named the "Alan Jackson Highway" in his honor.
• He was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2001.
• In 2010, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
• In 2017, Alan Jackson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Selected Awards

• American Music Awards:
  • 1993: Favorite Country Single ("Chattahoochee")
  • 1993: Favorite Country Album (A Lot About Livin' (And a Little 'bout Love))
• Academy of Country Music Awards:
  • 1990: Top New Male Vocalist
  • 1991: Album of the Year (Don't Rock the Jukebox)
  • 1993: Album of the Year (A Lot About Livin' (And a Little 'bout Love))
  • 2001: Single of the Year ("Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)")
  • 2003: Single of the Year ("It's Five O'Clock Somewhere")
• Country Music Association Awards:
  • 1993: Single of the Year ("Chattahoochee")
  • 1995: Entertainer of the Year
  • 2002: Entertainer of the Year
  • 2002: Single of the Year ("Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)")
  • 2003: Entertainer of the Year
  • 2022: Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award
• Grammy Awards:
  • 2002: Best Country Song ("Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)")
  • 2011: Best Country Collaboration with Vocals ("As She's Walking Away," with Zac Brown Band)

Touring and Performances

Alan Jackson has toured extensively throughout his career. In 1995, he headlined the Fruit of the Loom Comfort Tour, which included a hundred shows. In 2004, his concert tour was sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts and included over 50 dates across the U.S. He also performed in Australia in 2011.

In 2015, Alan Jackson started his "25th Anniversary Keepin' It Country" tour. This tour celebrated his many years in the music industry. In March 2022, he announced his "One More For The Road Tour," which was a farewell tour.

Alan Jackson's Band: The Strayhorns

Alan Jackson records his albums and performs live with his band, called The Strayhorns. As of 2022, the band members include:

• Mark McClurg – acoustic guitar, harmony vocals
• Scott Coney – acoustic and baritone guitars, banjo
• Rusty Danmyer – steel guitar
• Danny Groah – lead guitar
• Ryan Joseph – fiddle, mandolin, harmony vocals
• Bruce Rutherford – drums
• Joey Schmidt – keyboards
• Roger Wills – bass guitar

Personal Life

Jackson with his family at a ceremony to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in April 2010

Alan Jackson married his high school sweetheart, Denise Jackson, on December 15, 1979. They have three daughters: Mattie, Alexandra (Ali), and Dani. In December 2022, Alan and Denise became grandparents when their daughter Ali and her husband welcomed their first child. Alan and Denise briefly separated in 1998 due to the pressures of his career, but they later got back together.

Denise Jackson wrote a book about her life with Alan, their relationship, and their faith. The book, It's All About Him: Finding the Love of My Life, was published in 2007. Alan Jackson is also close friends with fellow country singers George Jones and George Strait. He has mentioned George Jones in some of his songs. At George Jones' funeral in 2013, Alan Jackson performed one of Jones's classic songs, "He Stopped Loving Her Today."

Alan Jackson enjoys collecting classic cars. His collection includes an Amphicar, a 1968 Shelby GT 500 KR Convertible, and a 1970 Chevelle SS 396.

In 2021, Alan Jackson shared that he has Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMT). This is a nerve disorder that affects his balance. He mentioned that it has been affecting him for years and makes him feel uncomfortable on stage.

Selected Albums

See also

In Spanish: Alan Jackson para niños