Over his 25+ years of making traditional country music, Alan Jackson has spoken out for the working man, his beliefs, and our Nation with songs loved by fans of all generations. An everyday man with simple beginnings, he caught his break when his wife Denise, who was a flight attendant, crossed paths with none other than Glen Campbell, passing along a demo of Jackson’s. That break lead to a career has included performances in arenas and legendary venues, such as The Ryman and Carnegie Hall, and he’s this week’s #MCM.
He Helped A Nation Heal: With the passing of the 15 year Anniversary of 9/11, it’s only fitting we speak of the poignant song “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning).” Jackson has said that the tune came to him in the middle of the night, he wrote it down so he wouldn’t forget it and completed the tune the next day. Being the man he is, Jackson wasn’t sure of releasing the song in fear that people would think he was taking advantage of a tragedy. But the heartfelt words resonated with people of all backgrounds, country fans and not, as Jackson sung about universal feelings that were felt across our Nation. The song went to #1 and had earned Jackson his first Grammy Award for “Best Country Song” (and a nominee for “Song of the Year”), as well as ACM and CMA Awards, and has become a staple at his concerts and the yearly anniversary of the attack.
In the summer of 2016, the guitar Jackson played when he debuted “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” at the 2001 CMA Awards, as well as the handwritten lyrics, were on display at the famed Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for their exhibit of 50 entertainers titled Louder Than Music: Rock, Power, and Politics. The exhibit chronicled times, places, and moments where music and american history have crossed paths.
He’ll Do What He Believes Is Right And You Won’t Stop Him: Jackson’s been known to be a bit of a rebel, always staying true to his beliefs – a concept that fans love – even when it’s on live television. During the 1994 CMA Awards, Jackson was asked to play a prerecorded version of “Gone Country.” Being a true musician, Jackson did not like the idea of “acting” on stage, so he instructed his drummer to play with no sticks to the track, resulting in the drum beats and cymbal crashes happening despite the lack of sticks. While the lip sync gone bad was funny, Jackson made his point that not singing live was deceitful to fans. Fast-forward five years to 1999 when the CMA asked George Jones to trim his performance of his song “Choices” to 90 seconds, resulting in Jones boycotting the event. In an act of respect and solidarity to Jones, when it was time for Jackson to sing “Pop A Top,” Jackson cut into Jones’ “Choices” halfway through his own song, then walked off stage.
He’s Iconic, Lyrically: Jackson has had 26 Number One songs, yes 2-6, with one more iconic than then next. From up-beat songs like “Don’t Rock the Jukebox” to “Chattahoochee” to his duet with Jimmy Buffett on “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” to his anthem for the working man “Hard Hat and a Hammer,” Jackson’s quintessential sound makes him a timeless artist. But we would be amiss if we didn’t mention perhaps the most nostalgic song ever penned by any artist: “Remember When.”
He’s Iconic, Physically: There’s the songs, and then there’s the man behind them. Like George Strait, Tim McGraw and Brad Paisley, when one thinks of Jackson, it’s only natural to picture him with his Stetson on. However, he didn’t actually start wearing a cowboy hat until the early 90’s – not because of Nashville’s rule, but to cover up an old childhood scar. And then there’s his golden locks (he never had time for a haircut), his mustache, his blue eyes, and that Georgia accent. If any of those details were to disappear, then we wouldn’t have Alan Jackson!
He’s Our #1: Literally! Winning a pair of front row center tickets in April of 2015, Alan Jackson was our first moment for coverage, kick starting our Twitter and helping make TCN what it is today!
