Alan Jackson 167346 224961477 2008-07-11T05:26:51Z 68.89.188.16 /* Career */ {{Infobox musical artist 2 |Name = Alan Jackson |Img = alan_jackson_at_pentagon.jpg |Img_capt = Alan Jackson with his guitar. |Img_size = 250 |Landscape = Yes |Background = solo_singer |Birth_name = Alan Eugene Jackson |Born = {{birth date and age|1958|10|17}}<br>[[Newnan, Georgia|Newnan]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] [[United States|USA]] |Instruments = [[Singer|Vocals]], [[Guitar]] |Genre = [[Country music|Country]] |Occupation = [[Singer-songwriter]], [[Musician]] |Years_active = 1989-present |Label = [[Arista Nashville]] |Associated_acts = [[Keith Stegall]], [[George Strait]], [[The Wrights (country duo)|The Wrights]], [[Randy Travis]] |URL = [http://www.alanjackson.com/ www.alanjackson.com] }} '''Alan Eugene Jackson''' (born [[17 October]] [[1958]] in [[Newnan, Georgia|Newnan]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]) is an [[United States|American]] [[country music|country]] [[singer-songwriter]] who has sold over 40 million records. He was influenced by the [[neotraditional country|new traditional]] country of the 1980s, and he was one of the most popular country singers of the 1990s, blending both [[honky tonk music|honky tonk]] and mainstream country sounds and penning many of his own hits. His success continued into the 2000s and his music became increasingly counterposed with that of more mainstream country acts that were moving toward a more [[pop music]] sound. He is the recipient and nominee of multiple awards. He was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2001. ==Early life== Jackson was born to Eugene Jackson and Ruth Musick in [[Newnan, Georgia|Newnan]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] and has four older sisters.<ref name=RW>Author unknown (Fall 94 Special Issue), "Livin' in the real world". ''People''. '''42''' (9):20</ref> As a youth, Jackson primarily listened to gospel music, and otherwise was not a major music fan. However, a friend of his introduced him to the music of [[Gene Watson]], [[John Anderson (musician)|John Anderson]] and [[Hank Williams Jr.]] Jackson started a band after high school. After a time, he and his wife of six years, Denise, moved from Newnan to [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]] hoping to pursue music full-time.<ref name=seat>Ali, Lorraine (2002-02-18), "Jackson in the Driver's Seat". ''Newsweek''. '''139''' (7):68</ref> ==Career== In Tennessee, Jackson got a job in [[Spike TV|The Nashville Network]]'s mailroom.<ref name=seat/> Denise got him connected to [[Glen Campbell]], who helped him jumpstart his career.<ref name=sanz>Sanz, C.; Sanderson, J. ([[September 2]], [[1991]]), "Honky-tonk hero". ''People''. '''36''' (8):76</ref> Jackson eventually signed with Arista.<ref name=seat/> His first album, 1989's ''[[Here in the Real World]]'', was a major hit, as was his second (1991) album, ''[[Don't Rock the Jukebox]]''. His 1992 album, ''[[A Lot About Livin' (And a Little 'bout Love)]]'' was a success, spawning five major singles. Also in 1992, [[Randy Travis]] charted three singles co-written by Jackson: "Forever Together", "Better Class of Losers", and "I'd Surrender All". Conversely, Travis co-wrote Jackson's single "She's Got the Rhythm (And I Got the Blues)". In 1994 Jackson left his management company, Ten Ten Management, which had overseen his career up to that point, and switched to Gary Overton.<ref>Lichtman, Irv ([[March 5]], [[1994]]), "Alan Jackson switches managers". ''Billboard''. '''106''' (10):90</ref> It was around this time that Jackson also began gaining fame for his song-writing skills. Other country music artists who have charted with songs co-written by Jackson, including [[Clay Walker (musician)|Clay Walker]] ("If I Could Make a Living"), [[Chely Wright]] ("Till I Was Loved By You")<ref>Cronin, Peter ([[November 19]], [[1994]]), "Spotlight shines on Jackson's songwriting". ''Billboard''. '''106''' (47):37</ref> and [[Faith Hill]] ("I Can't Do That Anymore"). ===Music=== "Alan Jackson: The Greatest Hits Collection" was released on [[October 24]], [[1995]]. The disc contained 17 hits, two newly-recorded songs ("I'll Try" and "Tall, Tall Trees"), and the song "Home" from his first album that had never been released as a single.<ref>Price, Deborah Evans ([[September 16]], [[1995]]), [http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=afh&AN=9509295833&loginpage=Login.asp&site=ehost-live "20, count `em, 20 Jackson hits"]. ''Billboard''. '''107''' (37):32</ref> With Jackson's release of ''Under the Influence'' in 1999, he took the double risk on an album of covers of country classics while retaining a traditional sound when a rock- and pop-tinged sound dominated country radio.<ref>Flippo, Chet ([[1999-09-25]]), "Jackson returns to roots with traditional set; Arista/Nashville seeks sound's revival". ''Billboard''. '''111''' (39):38</ref> When the Country Music Association (CMA) asked George Jones to trim his act to 90 seconds for the 1999 CMA awards, he decided to boycott the event. In solidarity, Jackson interrupted his own song and launched into Jones's song "Choices."<ref>Peyser, Mark; Davis, Alisha; Underhill, William ([[1999-10-04]]), [http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=afh&AN=2308921&loginpage=login.asp&site=ehost-live "Newsmakers"]. ''Newsweek''. '''134''' (14):78</ref> After country music changed toward pop music in the 2000s, he and [[George Strait]] criticized the state of country music on the song "[[Murder on Music Row]]". The song sparked debate in the country music community about whether or not "traditional" country music was actually dead or not.<ref>Price, Deborah Evans, ([[2000-05-06]]), "Is There `Murder On Music Row'? Debate Continues". ''Billboard''. '''112''' (19):36</ref> Despite the fact that the song was not officially released as a single, it became the highest-charting nonseasonal album cut (not available in any retail single configuration or released as a promotional single to radio during a chart run) to appear on Hot Country Singles & Tracks in the Broadcast Data Systems era, beating the record previously held by Garth Brooks' "Belleau Wood." The duo were invited to open the 2000 Academy of Country Music Awards (ACMAs) with a performance of the tune.<ref>Jessen, Wade ([[2000-04-29]]), "COUNTRY CORNER". ''Billboard''. '''112''' (18):60</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' commented on Jackson's style remarking, "If [[Garth Brooks|Garth]] and [[Shania Twain|Shania]] have raised the bar for country concerts with [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]]-style production and endless costume changes, then Alan Jackson is doing his best to return the bar to a more human level."<ref>Boenlert, Eric ([[2000-03-02]]), "Performance". [[Rolling Stone]]. (835):44</ref> After the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]], Jackson released "[[Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)]]" as a tribute. The song became a hit single and briefly propelled him into the mainstream spotlight. At the 2001 CMA Awards, Jackson debuted the song "Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning". The performance was generally considered the highlight of the show, and Jackson's site crashed the next day from server requests.<ref>Bessman, Jim ([[2001-11-24]]), "Words & Music". ''Billboard''. '''113''' (47):36</ref> The song came to Jackson suddenly, and had not been scheduled for any official release, but the live performance began receiving radio airplay and was soon released as a single. Jackson released a Christmas album, titled ''Let It Be Christmas'', [[October 22]], [[2002]].<ref>Stark, Phyllis ([[2002-09-07]]), "Nashville Scene". ''Billboard''. '''114''' (36):29</ref> Jeannie Kendall contacted Jackson to do a duet, and he suggested the song "Timeless and True Love". It appeared on her first solo album, released in 2003.<ref>Price, Deborah Evans ([[2003-03-01]]), "Jeannie Kendall Makes Her Solo Debut On Rounder". ''Billboard''. '''115''' (9):33</ref> Alan Jackson's newest studio album, ''[[Good Time (album)|Good Time]]'', was released on March 4, 2008. The album's first single, "[[Small Town Southern Man]]," was released to radio on November 19. ==Awards, nominations and induction into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame== In 1989 he was nominated for a total of six [[Country Music Association]] [[Country Music Association Awards|awards]] (CMAs).<ref name=sanz/> He was nominated for four 1994 CMAs, including Entertainer of the Year.<ref name=RW/> Jackson was the most nominated artist at the 29th annual TNN/Music City News Country Awards that was broadcast June 5 from the Grand Ole Opry House. His six nominations included best entertainer, male artist, vocal collaboration, album, single, and video (two nominations in this category).<ref>Morris, Edward ([[March 4]], [[1995]]), "Alan Jackson gets 7 noms in TNN/Music City awards". ''Billboard''. '''107''' (9):35</ref> At the 2002 CMAs, Jackson set a record for having the most nominations in a single year - ten - many rising from the song ""Where Were You". It also brought his career total up him the second number of nominations ever, after George Strait.<ref>Stark, Phyllis ([[2002-09-07]]), "Jackson Nominated For 10 CMAs". ''Billboard''. '''114''' (36):6</ref> "Where Were You" also was nominated for a Grammy for Song of the Year. The song was also subsequently parodied in the ''[[South Park]]'' episode "[[A Ladder To Heaven]]". At the 2003 Academy of Country Music Awards, Jackson won Album of the Year for ''Drive'' and Video of the Year for the video to "Drive (For Daddy Gene)."<ref>Editor unknown (2004), "2003 Academy of Country Music Awards". ''World Almanac & Book of Facts''. Volume unknown:287. [[ISSN 0084-1382]]</ref> Jackson was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame on [[October 22]], [[2001]] in Atlanta.<ref>No byline ([[2001-11-10]]), "In The News". ''Billboard''. '''113''' (45):36</ref> ==Ford trucks endorsement== Ford agency J. Walter Thompson USA in Detroit, in 1997, worked out with Jackson a multimillion-dollar, multi-year contract for his sole endorsement of Ford trucks. In his video for "Who's Cheatin' Who?" he was behind the wheel of a "Big Foot" Ford F-150 pickup truck, and Ford's five Nascar vehicles (at the time) were prominently featured. Additionally, he changed the lyrics "crazy 'bout a Mercury" of the song "Mercury Blues" to "crazy 'bout a Ford truck" in a TV ad for the Ford F-series.<ref>Halliday, Jean ([[1997-05-19]]), [http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=afh&AN=9705222305&loginpage=login.asp&site=ehost-live "Jackson lets Ford star in his latest music video"]. ''Advertising Age''. '''68''' (20):10</ref> ==Touring== Jackson headlined the 1995 Fruit Of The Loom Comfort Tour, a deal worth $40 million. It began January 20 in New Orleans and ran for a hundred dates.<ref>Lichtman, Irv. ([[January 21]], [[1995]]), "Jackson Fruit of Loom tour". ''Billboard''. '''107''' (3):86</ref> Alan Jackson's 2004 concert tour launched January 23 in Fort Myers, Florida and was sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts in a deal that included Jackson's endorsement in TV spots. The tour included more than 50 U.S. dates. Martina McBride was the opening for some of the shows.<ref>Martens, Todd; Stark, Phyllis; Kipnis, Jill; Walsh, Christopher ([[2004-01-17]]), "NEWSLINE…". ''Billboard''. '''116''' (3):8</ref> ==Band== Alan Jackson's backup band (since 1989) is "The Strayhorns". The current line-up of musicians is: * Monty Allen - acoustic guitar, harmony vocals * Scott Coney - acoustic guitar, tic tac bass, banjo * Robbie Flint - steel guitar * Danny Groah - lead guitar * Mark McClurg - fiddle, harmony vocals * Bruce Rutherford - drums * Joey Schmidt - keyboards * Roger Wills - bass guitar ==Personal life== Jackson married his high school sweetheart, Denise Jackson, on [[December 15]], [[1979]]. He is the father of three daughters: Mattie Denise (born [[June 19]], [[1990]]), Alexandra Jane "Ali" (born [[August 23]], [[1993]]), and Dani Grace (born [[August 28]], [[1997]]). They named their home on Center Hill Lake "Real World", since it is the real world when contrasted with his showbiz life;<ref name=RW/> they sold the property in 2001.<ref>Yu, Ting; Hamm, Liza; Abel, Olivia; Brailsford, Karen; Clinton II, Ivory; Commander, Lauren; Davis, Caris; Klise, Kate; Koenig, Angela; Lang, Anne; McFarland, Sabrina; Swertlow, Frank; Warrick, Pamela ([[2001-05-21]]), "ON THE BLOCK". ''People''. '''55''' (20):20</ref> The couple separated for several months in 1998 due to the strains of Jackson's career;<ref>Schindehette, Susan; Keel, Beverly; Sanderson, Jnae; Stewart, Bob; Calkins, Laurel ([[1998-03-09]]), "Achy-breaky hearts". ''People''. '''49''' (9):48</ref> they have since reconciled. Their story is referenced in one of Jackson's most famous songs, "Remember When".{{Fact|date=November 2007}} Denise and their daughters appear in the accompanying video. Denise Jackson wrote a book that topped the New York Times Best Seller list that covered her life with Jackson, their relationship, separation, and recommitment to each other, and her commitment to Christianity, the book was titled ''It's All About Him: Finding the Love of My Life'', which was published in 2007. In May of 2008 she released a Gift Book titled "The Road Home." Jackson's nephew, Adam Wright, is also a country music singer-songwriter. Adam and his wife, Shannon, perform together as a duo called [[The Wrights (country duo)|The Wrights]].<ref>[http://www.accessatlanta.com/music/content/music/cds/0505/17thewrights.html The Wrights: 'Down This Road']</ref> The Wrights co-wrote two songs and sang harmony vocals on Jackson's ''What I Do'' album. ==Discography== {{for|a complete listing of albums and singles by Alan Jackson|Alan Jackson discography}} ==Awards== [[ASCAP]] *Country Song of the Year, "Don't Rock The Jukebox" 1992 *Country Songwriter of the Year 1993 [[Academy of Country Music]] *Top New Male Vocalist 1990 *Single Record of the Year, "Don't Rock the Jukebox" 1991 *Album of the Year, ''Don't Rock the Jukebox'' 1991 *Single Record of the Year, "Chattahoochee" 1993; "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)" 2002 *Album of the Year, ''A Lot About Livin' (And A Little 'bout Love)'' 1993 *Male Vocalist of the Year 1994 and 1995 *All time winner: Single of the Year 2005 [[Country Music Association]] *Music Video of the Year, "Midnight In Montgomery" 1992 *Music Video of the Year, "Chattahoochee" 1993 *Single of the Year, "Chattahoochee" 1993 *Single of the Year, "Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)" 2002 *Vocal Event of the Year, "I Don't Need Your Rockin' Chair" (with [[George Jones]]) 1993 *Vocal Event of the Year, "Murder On Music Row" (with [[George Strait]]) 2000 *Vocal Event of the Year, "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" (with [[Jimmy Buffett]]) 2003 *Song of the Year, "Chattahoochee" 1994 *Song of the Year, "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)" 2002 *Album of the Year, ''Common Threads: The Songs of the Eagles'' 1994 *Album of the Year, ''Drive'' 2002 *Male Vocalist of the Year 2002, 2003 *Entertainer of the Year 1995, 2002, 2003 [[Grammy]] *Best Country Song "Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)" 2002 ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== *[http://www.alanjackson.com Official Alan Jackson website] {{DEFAULTSORT:Jackson, Alan}} [[Category:1958 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:American country singers]] [[Category:American country singer-songwriters]] [[Category:American male singers]] [[Category:Arista Records artists]] [[Category:Georgia (U.S. state) musicians]] [[Category:Grammy Award winners]] [[Category:Grand Ole Opry members]] [[Category:People from Coweta County, Georgia]] [[pdc:Alan Jackson]] [[de:Alan Jackson]] [[es:Alan Jackson]] [[fr:Alan Jackson]] [[no:Alan Jackson]] [[pt:Alan Jackson]] [[sv:Alan Jackson]]