Introduction:
Country music icon Alan Jackson was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 60th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 8, 2025, in Frisco, Texas.
After more than three decades of unforgettable performances, the legendary artist is officially hanging up his cowboy hat. Earlier this year, Jackson gave his final road performance in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he delivered an emotional speech and shared plans for one last, spectacular farewell concert.
“Y’all gonna make me tear up out here,” he told the crowd. “This is my last road show, but we’re planning a big finale in Nashville next summer. It just felt right to end it where it all began — in Nashville, Tennessee, Music City. So that’s where the last one’s gonna be.”
With an estimated net worth of $150 million, Jackson stands among the wealthiest country music stars in the world, according to Ledger Note. His fortune reflects a legendary career: more than 80 million records sold across 18 studio albums, two Christmas albums, and two gospel albums. His achievements have earned him inductions into multiple halls of fame, membership in the Grand Ole Opry, nine multi-platinum records, and a long list of prestigious awards.
Jackson’s empire extends far beyond music. Over the years, he has secured lucrative brand deals and partnerships, including exclusive music and merchandise for Cracker Barrel, endorsements with Ford Trucks, sponsorships from NAPA Auto Parts, and headlining a national tour backed by Fruit of the Loom, as reported by Ledger Note.
Now at 66, the country legend is stepping away from the road not out of weariness, but out of a heartfelt desire to spend more time at home — closing a remarkable chapter while leaving an indelible legacy in the heart of country music.
Alan Jackson has never shied away from speaking candidly to his fans. In a 2024 YouTube video, the country music legend reflected on his extraordinary career and revealed how his priorities have naturally shifted over time.
“I’ve been touring for over 30 years, you know, played everywhere in the country and parts of the world,” Jackson shared. “I’ve had a wonderful career, and now I’m in my twilight years. All my daughters are grown, and I’ve got one grandchild and another on the way. I really enjoy spending more time at home and don’t want to be away like I had to be in my younger days. I don’t tour as much now as I did 10 years ago. But I think it’s getting time to start thinking about hanging it up full-time.”
While family is a major reason for stepping away, Jackson has also been open about the health challenges influencing his decision.
In September 2021, the country icon revealed that he had been diagnosed with Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease, a rare, inherited neurological disorder that affects the nerves responsible for muscle movement. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the condition typically impacts sensation and control in the feet and hands. Though it is not curable, it can be managed through physical therapy and supportive devices.
Jackson first spoke publicly about his diagnosis during an interview on NBC’s Today show in 2021.
“I have this neuropathy and neurological disease,” Jackson explained. “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 it just makes me feel very uncomfortable.”
Although the disease is not life-threatening, Jackson acknowledged its progression.
“It’s not going to kill me. It’s not deadly,” he added. “But it’s related to muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s disease.”
With a legendary career spanning more than three decades, Jackson is choosing to embrace a new chapter — one centered on family, health, and personal peace — while leaving behind a timeless musical legacy that will continue to echo through generations of country fans.