It’s a sad day for country music fans, as another legendary star has announced his retirement “for good.” Alan Jackson, coming off his Milwaukee tour stop on May 17, revealed the performance was his “last road show of my career.” The 66-year-old country icon shared the news amid years of ongoing health issues, tragically confirming he will no longer tour again.
Still, fans luckily have one more chance to see him live. Jackson noted that he plans to hold a final farewell concert in the heart of country music, Nashville, Tennessee. The “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” singer has been battling Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease for several years now, first revealing his diagnosis in 2021. The disease, according to the Mayo Clinic, “is a group of inherited disorders that cause nerve damage. This damage is mostly in the arms and legs (peripheral nerves).”
Alan Jackson Addresses Milwaukee Crowd
While addressing the crowd during his “Last Call: One More for the Road Tour,” Jackson shared, “Y’all may have heard that I’m kinda winding down, and in fact this is my last road show of my career. 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.”
He went on to add, “It just felt like I had to end it all where it all started. And that’s in Nashville, Tenn.—Music City.” Jackson’s numerous hits have spanned more than 30 years in the industry, and despite his diagnosis, he continued touring throughout 2022. However, he was unable to complete all scheduled dates due to his condition. This likely influenced his decision to step away for good this time around. The final show is expected to take place in the summer of 2026, giving fans time to celebrate his iconic career.
Jackson’s farewell in Milwaukee followed his emotional performance of “Remember When” at the ACM Awards on May 8, hosted by another country legend, Reba McEntire. The crowd gave him a standing ovation, which was a fitting tribute as he accepted the newly minted “Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award.” While this may be goodbye to the stage, Jackson’s influence on country music is everlasting. Safe to say his songwriting, humble storytelling, and epic Southern vocals have paved the way for new and current generations of artists.
‘Remember When’ ACM Performance
Throughout his climbing career, Jackson has sold over 75 million records worldwide. He’s earned two Grammy Awards, 16 CMA Awards, and 17 ACM Awards and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2017. Known for classic hits, Jackson has remained true to his cowboy roots, blending traditional honky-tonk with modern but typical country storytelling. His work has become a blueprint for authenticity in the genre alongside several staple artists.
As fans come to terms with Jackson’s farewell, whispers of another country legend hanging up his cowboy hat continue to circulate, especially on social media. George Strait has also been another artist who has long teased his retirement. During a recent performance in Philadelphia, the 72-year-old sang his 2011 fan favorite “I’ll Always Remember You,” which is a song that is often interpreted as a farewell.
A fan-captured video of the touching moment, which quickly went viral, sparking speculation that Strait could be preparing to say goodbye to the stage for good.“I have maybe five good years to sing my songs for you, folks. But hell, it’s been around 50 now. And I still love it just as much as I ever did,” he told the crowd.
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Alan Jackson Says He’ll Never Tour Again: ‘I Had to End It’