Alan Jackson, the beloved country singer known for his timeless hits and unforgettable voice, has been open about his health journey in recent years. In 2021, the 66-year-old country music icon shared a deeply personal update regarding his health, revealing that he had been diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), a hereditary degenerative nerve condition. Jackson disclosed that he had been living with the condition for more than a decade before going public with it. The disease has affected his balance and mobility, leading him to stumble on stage and experience difficulty with coordination, especially during live performances.
The announcement was emotional for both Jackson and his fans. He explained that his condition had started becoming more noticeable in his performances, which made him feel uncomfortable. “I know I’m stumbling around onstage. And now I’m having a little trouble balancing, even in front of the microphone,” he said in his interview. However, he was quick to assure his fans that while the disease was not deadly, it would gradually affect his ability to perform. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease primarily impacts the motor and sensory nerves, particularly in the legs, feet, arms, and hands. While there is no cure for CMT, it can be managed with supportive therapy, and Jackson expressed his intent to continue performing for as long as he could.
Despite the challenges, Jackson’s resilience has been apparent throughout his journey. He emphasized that his diagnosis wasn’t something he would typically complain about, and he didn’t want his fans to mistake his struggles for signs of intoxication onstage. The 66-year-old singer made it clear that the condition would eventually disable him, but he remained hopeful and optimistic about the future. “It’s not going to kill me, it’s not fatal. It’s just going to disable me eventually,” he stated. Alan also explained that his disease was hereditary, inherited from his late father, with his paternal grandmother and older sister also diagnosed with the same condition.
Despite the physical challenges, Jackson continued his career and toured extensively. He launched his “Last Call: One More for the Road” tour, which kicked off in 2022. Jackson also took proactive steps to raise awareness for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease by donating a portion of the proceeds from his ticket sales to the CMT Research Foundation. This philanthropic gesture helped raise over $2.25 million throughout the tour. Jackson remained determined to give his fans as much as he could, all while managing his condition with the help of his doctors and his unwavering passion for music.
However, in 2024, Jackson announced that he would officially be “calling it quits” with his touring career after the 2025 leg of his tour. Reflecting on his decision, Jackson said that after more than 30 years of performing, the physical toll was becoming harder to bear. He expressed a desire to spend more time at home with his family and enjoy the next chapter of his life. “I enjoy spending more time at home, and don’t want to be away like I had to be in my younger days,” he said. Jackson also shared that his health had reached a point where continuing to tour was no longer sustainable, especially with the progression of his health condition. “It’s getting time to start thinking about hanging it up full-time,” he admitted.
Alan Jackson’s final concert tour will take place across various cities, and each stop will mark the last time he will perform his more-than-30-year catalog of hits in those areas. For Jackson, this decision wasn’t easy, but it was necessary for his long-term health and well-being. Despite the physical challenges, his love for music and his fans remains as strong as ever, and he continues to create new music. In an interview with his daughter, Mattie Jackson, he revealed that he hopes to continue creating new material and that he’s always thinking about melodies and lyrics. “I’m always scribbling down ideas and thinking about melodies,” Jackson said. “I feel like there’ll be some more music to come.”
As his final tour wraps up, Jackson’s legacy as one of country music’s most beloved artists is cemented. Fans from all over the world will remember him not only for his timeless hits, but also for his strength, resilience, and authenticity in the face of adversity. Alan Jackson’s decision to step back from touring reflects a deep respect for his health, his family, and his loyal fans who have supported him throughout his career. While his touring days may be coming to an end, his music will continue to resonate with listeners for generations to come.