Country music legend and Nashville bar owner Alan Jackson was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder last year, but in a recent appearance on his daughters podcast he revealed that he is nowhere near ready to pack away his guitar. The “Chattahoochee” and “Where Were You?” singer has been a staple on lower Broadway and on tour since the 1990’s. He has managed to stay relevant despite the shift in country music towards the so-called “bro country”, but the diagnosis caused concern that he would retire. No chance. Check this out.
The Country Music Hall of Famer announced that he’s not going to let any health problems stop him from continuing to inspire millions of fans across the country with his voice, lyrics and music.
“I’m always scribbling down ideas and thinking about melodies, I feel like there’ll be some more music to come, yes,” Jackson said while appearing on daughter Mattie Jackson’s “In Joy Life” podcast.
An excited Mattie followed up by asking if that means there could be another album, in which her father responded “Yes, I would hope so.”
Alan joins his daughter Mattie Jackson Selecman this week on her new podcast, #InJoyLife. Listen to hear old stories, the inspiration behind his song "Drive," and all things @SilverbellySips!
Listen here: https://t.co/51hgSOI9fG pic.twitter.com/qRPC3rjxwC
— Alan Jackson (@OfficialJackson) February 21, 2023
Nothing like an inside source to confirm more music. Jackson’s daughter Mattie, while not following in the business still has a successful podcast, and inside access to the country music world. Her confirmation from her father surely is good news for classic country fans. Jackson’s condition affects his balance and ability to move freely around the stage.
Last year, Jackson revealed to NBC’s Today that he had first been diagnosed with the degenerative nerve condition known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which affects a person’s motor skills about 10 years ago.
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“It’s genetic that I inherited from my daddy,” Jackson told Today. “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. And now I’m having a little trouble balancing, even in front of the microphone, and so I just feel very uncomfortable.”
The condition doesn’t affect life expectancy or Jackson’s ability to sing, but it does make him have to be extra careful on stage. He had to cancel part of last year’s tour to deal with the symptoms, but the creative juices haven’t stopped flowing.
“I may not have toured much… but like I said, the creative part jumps out every now and then.” He continued by telling his daughter that, “When you make an album, or especially when you write a lot of the songs for it, that’s creating something. It’s a challenge, so it keeps you interested a little more.”
In an age where country music has devolved into pop country or Americana, it’s good news that a tried-and-true hitmaker like Jackson is considering recording more music. While country might not be everyone’s cup of noodles, compared to the alternative (Lizzo), those noodles might be mighty tasty compared to the pulled pork butt other artists are serving up.