Alan Jackson’s Health: Inside His Decade-Long Journey with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease
NASHVILLE — Alan Jackson, one of country music’s most enduring voices, has faced a deeply personal challenge over the last decade: a hereditary nerve disorder known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease.
The 67-year-old singer first revealed his diagnosis publicly during a Today show appearance in 2021, though he had lived with the condition for more than ten years. CMT is a degenerative neurological disorder that damages motor and sensory nerves, primarily affecting the feet, legs, hands, and arms. While not fatal, the disease progressively impacts balance, mobility, and muscle strength.
Jackson explained his decision to go public, saying the effects were becoming more noticeable on stage. “It’s getting more and more obvious,” he admitted. “I know I’m stumbling around on stage. I’m having a little trouble balancing, even in front of the microphone, and I just feel very uncomfortable. But it’s not going to kill me. It’s not deadly.”
The “Chattahoochee” and “Remember When” singer stressed that his fans deserved to understand why his movements appeared unsteady during performances. “I don’t want them to think I’m drunk on stage,” he said at the time.
The condition runs in his family — both Jackson’s late father, his grandmother, and an older sister were also diagnosed. “I just want people to know that’s why I look like I do, if they’re wondering,” Jackson explained.
Despite the challenges, Jackson has continued to perform. Less than a year after announcing his condition, he launched his Last Call: One More for the Road tour in 2022, framing it as both a farewell and a celebration. “I’ve always admired my heroes like George Jones, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, and Charley Pride who just played as long as they could,” he said. “I’ll try to do as much as I can, but if I’m coming your way, come see me.”
During the tour, Jackson also supported medical research by donating $1 from every ticket sold to the CMT Research Foundation. However, in late 2022, he was forced to postpone two shows due to health complications. “I hoped I’d be able to be there,” he shared in a statement. “I hate to disappoint my fans.”
Jackson’s battle has not kept him from milestones. In May 2025, he returned to the stage at the Academy of Country Music Awards to perform and accept a lifetime achievement award named in his honor. His appearance was a powerful reminder of both his resilience and his influence on generations of country music fans.
Reflecting on his journey, Jackson has acknowledged the relief he felt after making his condition public. “In some ways, it’s a relief because I was starting to get so self-conscious up there,” he said. “It just made me nervous trying to keep my balance. Now, if anybody’s curious why I don’t walk right — that’s why.”
Even as the disease progresses, Jackson has not ruled out creating more music. “I’m always scribbling down ideas and thinking about melodies,” he shared in 2023. “I feel like there’ll be more music to come. Writing songs is more fulfilling than anything.”
For fans, his openness has only deepened the bond with the artist whose songs — from small-town stories to timeless love ballads — have defined country music for more than 30 years.