ALAN JACKSON OPENS UP ABOUT HIS HEALTH AND CHARCOT-MARIE-TOOTH DISEASE DIAGNOSIS
Country music legend Alan Jackson has never been one to hide from his fans. From heartfelt songs about family and faith to his humble reflections on life, the 66-year-old star has built a career on honesty. That honesty came into sharp focus in 2021 when Jackson revealed on NBC’s TODAY Show that he had been living with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, a degenerative nerve condition that has increasingly affected his ability to perform.
“I have this neuropathy and neurological disease,” Jackson told Jenna Bush Hager at the time. “It’s genetic — I inherited it from my daddy. There’s no cure for it, but it’s been affecting me for years. And it’s getting more and more obvious. 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.”
The condition, related to muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s disease, is not fatal, but it weakens muscles and nerves in the arms and legs, making walking and balance increasingly difficult. Jackson admitted he had known about his diagnosis for a decade before going public, but chose to keep performing as long as possible. “I never wanted to do the big retirement tour, like people do, then take a year off and come back. I think that’s kinda cheesy,” he said. “I’ll try to do as much as I can.”
For years, he did just that — continuing to tour, record, and meet fans despite his worsening condition. In fact, Jackson used his platform to help others, donating a portion of ticket sales to the CMT Research Foundation. Through his efforts, matching contributions, and fan support, he raised more than $2.25 million to fund medical research into the disease.
But by May 2024, Jackson admitted the time was coming to step back. In a video message to fans, he said: “Most of my fans know I have a degenerative health condition that affects my legs and arms and mobility. It’s getting worse and it makes me more uncomfortable on stage. I just want to think about maybe calling it quits before I’m unable to do the job like I want to.”
That farewell became reality in May 2025. Performing to a sold-out crowd in Milwaukee, Jackson told fans: “Y’all may have heard that I’m kinda winding down. In fact, this is my last road show. This is the last one out on the road for me, and I’m so blessed. Thank you all so much for supporting my music. I’m living the American dream for sure.”
He added that one final performance still lies ahead — a farewell in Nashville, Tennessee, the city where his career began. “We’re planning on doing a big finale where it all started, and that’s in Music City. So I’ve got to do my last one there,” he said.
The news has been bittersweet for fans who have followed Jackson for more than four decades. Since the release of his debut album in 1989, the Georgia-born singer has become one of country music’s most cherished voices, blending honky-tonk tradition with heartfelt ballads. Now, as he faces the realities of his illness, his openness and grace have only deepened his connection with fans.
According to the Mayo Clinic, CMT disease is a group of inherited disorders that cause nerve damage, usually in the arms and legs. It often results in smaller, weaker muscles, loss of sensation, and difficulty walking. Common symptoms include foot deformities such as high arches or hammertoes. While treatments can help manage symptoms, there is currently no cure.
For Jackson, the journey ahead may mean fewer stages and smaller audiences. But as his farewell nears, one thing is certain: his music — and his courage in sharing his struggle — will endure. “It’s been a long, sweet ride,” he told fans. “And I thank God for every mile of it.”