Alan Jackson’s Farewell Tour: A New Chapter
Alan Jackson is gearing up for his farewell tour and recently shared the reasons behind his decision to retire.
Prioritizing Family
A significant factor is his desire to spend more time with his family. This news comes on the heels of a joyful announcement: Jackson welcomed a baby grandson last month. In February, Jackson announced he was expecting another grandchild, and now the much-anticipated grandson, Wesley Alan Smith, has arrived.
Jackson’s daughter, Mattie Jackson, shared her joy: “One week ago, my life was forever changed. Wesley Alan Smith joined our little family on June 20th, the absolute best birthday gift I could have ever imagined. There is no greater honor in life than being chosen by God to be your mom. And no sweeter joy than watching your daddy adore you and protect you already. Even Ryman has reluctantly warmed up to her new little brother. You have all my heart and my prayers, baby boy. If you’re anything like both your namesakes (Connor’s grandad and @officialalanjackson), you’ve got quite a life ahead of you.”
Sharing the Joy
Jackson expressed his excitement about the growing family on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Blessings overflowing in our growing family!” he wrote. “Denise and I are thrilled for our second grandson to arrive in June! We’re so happy for proud parents Mattie and Connor Smith and can’t wait to meet the next addition to our family.”
Reflecting on a Long Career
Earlier this month, Jackson announced his retirement following his upcoming tour. The 65-year-old reflected on his long career and the life changes that have led him to this decision. “I’ve been touring for over 30 years, played everywhere in the country and parts of the world. I have had a good career and am now in my twilight years; both of my daughters are grown, and I have one grandson and one on the way. I enjoy spending more time at home and don’t want to be away as much as I used to, so I don’t tour as much as I did ten years ago. But I believe it is time to consider retiring full-time.”
The Last Call Tour
The tour, titled “Last Call: One More for the Road,” will start on August 2 and include ten events until May 17, 2025.
Health Challenges
In 2021, Jackson revealed he has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a chronic neuropathy disorder affecting balance and mobility. He discussed how this condition influenced his decision to retire. “Most of my fans know I have a degenerative health condition that affects my legs and arms and my mobility that I got from my daddy, and it’s getting worse. So, it makes me more uncomfortable on stage, and I just have a hard time, and I just want to think about maybe calling it quits before I’m unable to do the job like I want to.”
Embracing a New Chapter
With his farewell tour on the horizon and a new grandson to cherish, Alan Jackson is ready to embrace a new chapter in his life, focusing on family and health.
