Alan Jackson Hints at New Music in the Future: “I Would Hope So”
Country music superstar Alan Jackson, 64, has teased the possibility of more music in the future, despite challenges posed by his ongoing battle with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. In a recent interview on the In Joy Life with Mattie Jackson podcast, hosted by his 32-year-old daughter, Jackson expressed his hope for more musical projects, including potential new releases.
When asked about the possibility of another album, Jackson responded with optimism, saying, “Well, yes. I would hope so. I mean, I may not have toured much, but like I said, the creative part jumps out every now and then. I’m always scribbling down ideas and thinking about melodies, and I feel like there’ll be some more music to come, yes.”
This announcement would mark Jackson’s first new release since the 2021 album Where Have You Gone, which was his first in several years. The new music would also come after Jackson’s revelation in 2021 that he has been dealing with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a progressive nerve condition that has slowly affected his ability to walk and perform on stage.
Despite the impact of the disease, Jackson expressed how songwriting continues to bring him joy and fulfillment. “It’s like, you can be a singer and go out and tour, but it’s kind of like you’re just doing the same thing over and over,” he said. “When you make an album, or especially when you write a lot of the songs, that’s creating something. It’s a challenge, so it keeps you interested a little more. If I didn’t write, I think I would’ve gotten bored just singing a long time ago.”
In the podcast, Jackson also reflected on the deep connection he has with his fans through his music, citing his 1993 hit “Chattahoochee” as an example. “When Jim McBride and I wrote ‘Chattahoochee’ years ago… it was a fun, uptempo thing about coming of age and I thought, ‘Well yeah, that’s a fun song, and I like it, and people in Georgia are going to like it, but nobody else in the world is gonna know what it is or care about it,'” Jackson recalled. “But then I learned right quick that everybody has a Chattahoochee. It may be called something else, or may not be a river at all, but it just was the story, was something people could relate to in their life for wherever they were from.”
The legendary singer also shared his current sources of joy, including the recent arrival of his first grandchild, Jackson. Born on December 13 to Jackson’s daughter Ali and her husband Sam Bradshaw, the newborn is a source of overwhelming happiness for the family, with Jackson admitting that the baby “overshadows” most other things in their life right now.
Jackson also spoke about the joy he feels for his daughter Mattie, who has experienced her own challenges in recent years. After losing her husband in a tragic accident, Mattie has since become engaged to Connor Smith, and Jackson expressed excitement about the upcoming wedding. “We are again joyful and very excited about Connor coming into our family and your life and looking forward to y’all’s wedding this coming spring,” he added.
As Jackson continues to navigate the challenges of health and family, his passion for music remains unwavering, and it seems fans can expect more of his iconic sound in the future.