After over 30 years on the road creating countless memorable moments for fans, the legendary singer is hanging up his cowboy hat.
Alan Jackson’s last road show took place earlier this year in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he gave a heartfelt speech while promising fans one final, monumental send-off.
“Y’all gonna make me tear up out here. But I will say, this is my last road show out here, but we’re planning on doing a big finale show in Nashville next summer sometime. It just felt like I had to end it all where it all started. And that’s in Nashville, Tennessee — Music City,” he told the crowd. “So I gotta do the last one there.”
Jackson is walking away with a $150 million fortune, making him on of the wealthiest country singers in the world, according to Ledger Note.
His wealth stems from a massively successful career that includes selling over 80 million records from his 18 studio albums, two Christmas albums and two gospel albums.
These accomplishments earned him a place in all the country-related halls of fame, Grand Ole Opry, nine multi-platinum records and many awards.
Beyond music sales, Jackson also secured a number of business deals including the creation of exclusive music and merchandise for the Cracker Barrel chain, an endorsement for Ford Trucks, a sponsorship by NAPA Auto Parts and headlining a tour sponsored by Fruit of the Loom, the Ledger Note reported.
For the 66-year-old singer, the decision to retire is rooted in a desire to be home more often.
Jackson expressed pride in his career but acknowledged that his priorities have shifted in a 2024 Youtube video.
“I’ve been touring for over 30 years, you know, played everywhere in the country and parts of the world,” Jackson said. “Have had a wonderful career, and getting into my twilight years, and all my daughters are grown, and I got one grandchild and one on the way. Enjoy spending more time at home, and don’t want to be away like I had to be in my younger days, and 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.”
In addition to family, Jackson’s health also plays a role in his retirement decision.
In September 2021, the country singer revealed he was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a rare chronic illness that affects the nerves that control muscle movement, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It’s a condition that usually affects how someone feels in their feet and hands. The disease is not curable, but physical therapy and assistive devices or shoes can be used as treatments.
Jackson addressed the diagnosis during an interview on NBC’s “Today” in 2021.
“I have this neuropathy and neurological disease,” Jackson said during the interview. “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. And 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.”
“It’s not going to kill me. It’s not deadly. But it’s related (to) muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s disease,” he added.
