The country music legend Alan Jackson has officially retired from touring after over 30 years on the road.
Jackson Retires From Touring
Jackson, 66, performed his final tour show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Saturday night. He had announced last year that he would be retiring from touring due to various major health issues. Indeed, Jackson confirmed that his “Last Call: One More for the Road Tour” would be his last.
“Y’all may have heard that I’m kinda winding down. In fact, this is my last roadshow of my career,” Jackson told the crowd of fans at his final tour show. “Y’all gonna make me tear up out here.”
“I will say that this is my last road show out here, but we’re planning on doing a big finale show in Nashville next summer sometime,” he continued. “I just felt like I had to end it all where it all started, and that’s in Nashville, Tennessee. But this is the last one out on the road for me.”
Not stopping there, Jackson opened up about how much he’s loved touring for decades.
“It’s been a long, sweet ride. It started 40 years ago this September,” he stated. “My wife and I drove to Nashville with an ol’ UHaul trailer, and chased this dream. It’s been a crazy ride. I lived the American dream for sure. So blessed.”
Watch Jackson’s full comments in the video below.
Backstory: Country Legend Alan Jackson Makes Surprising Tour Announcement Amidst Major Health Struggles
Jackson’s Devastating Diagnosis
Jackson embarked on this tour one year after revealing that he had been diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. This is a degenerative nerve condition that affects his motor skills. Jackson was diagnosed in 2011, but he kept the condition private for years.
“I have this neuropathy and neurological disease,” Jackson told the TODAY show as he revealed his diagnosis to the world in 2021. “It’s genetic that I inherited 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.”
Jackson went on to say that because the condition affects his balance, he has become more “self-conscious” on stage.
“I know I’m stumbling around stage now,” he admitted. “I’m having a little trouble balancing, even in front of the microphone. I just feel very uncomfortable.
“In some ways it’s a relief [to talk about it] because I was starting to get so self-conscious up there about stumbling around,” Jackson added. “I think it’ll be good for me now to get it out in the open. If anybody’s curious at why I don’t walk right, that’s why.”
Related: Flashback: Country Legend Alan Jackson Walked Out When Beyonce Took the Stage at the CMAs
Jackson Is Still Working On New Music
Despite his condition, Jackson expressed plans to release new music in 2023.
“I’m always scribbling down ideas and thinking about melodies… I feel like there’ll be some more music to come, yes,” Jackson said at the time.
“I may not have toured much, but again… like I said, the creative part jumps out every now and then,” Jackson continued. “[Writing songs] is more fulfilling than anything. 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.”
Jackson is a true legend, and there will never be another one like him. While we’re sad that he is done touring, we’re glad that he has at least one more show left in him in his home city of Nashville!
More About:Celebrity News