Introduction
Alan Jackson’s Courageous Goodbye: A Legend Bids Farewell After Final Diagnosis
Country music icon Alan Jackson has officially announced his retirement from performing, leaving fans heartbroken but deeply inspired. At 66 years old, Jackson revealed that his ongoing battle with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease—a rare neurological disorder—has progressed to the point where he can no longer take the stage. This announcement marks the end of a four-decade career that has defined the heart of American country music.
Jackson, known for timeless hits like Chattahoochee, Remember When, and Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning), shared that his final performance will take place on May 17, 2025, at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The event, titled One Last Call, will serve as a celebration of a legacy that has touched millions. Fans are already preparing for an emotional night filled with unforgettable songs and guest appearances from some of country music’s biggest names.
Since his debut in 1990, Jackson has released 21 studio albums, sold over 75 million records, and earned 35 number-one hits. He’s won multiple CMA Awards, three Grammys, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2017. Throughout his career, Jackson stayed true to his traditional sound, earning widespread admiration for his storytelling and authenticity.
In 2021, Jackson went public with his CMT diagnosis, continuing to perform while seated and refusing to let the disease silence his voice. But in a heartfelt message shared in June 2025, he admitted the physical toll had become too great. “I’ve always said I’d keep singing as long as I could give my fans the show they deserve. That time has come.”
The final concert will benefit the CMT Research Foundation, reflecting Jackson’s ongoing commitment to helping others even as he steps back from the spotlight. As he prepares to say goodbye, Jackson expressed deep gratitude to his family, fans, and bandmates, writing, “I’ve lived a dream I never thought possible. Thank you for making it real.”
May 17 will not just be a concert—it will be the closing chapter of a legend’s journey and a tribute to a man whose songs became the soundtrack of countless lives.