On this day, exactly 32 years ago, Alan Jackson’s country music career officially began. While it may have been any other day for someone else, for the 31-year-old, it would mark the dawn of his country music reign when he signed his first record deal with Arista Records.
Before June 26, 1989, Jackson was just a struggling young country singer trying to get the powers that be on Nashville’s Music Row to listen to him. However, unbeknownst to him, he would become one of the genre’s most celebrated icons.
Although he had signed the deal, it would take some time to get his boots off the ground. When his first single, “Blue Blooded Woman,” debuted, it failed to hit the Top 40. However, things took a turn when he released his next single, “Here in the Real World,” which was also the title track of his debut album.
The single reached the Top 5 and followed it up with a string of hits, including “Wanted,” “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” and “I’d Love You All Over Again.”
From there, it was nothing but wins for Jackson as the once small-town singer received 50 Top 10 hits, with 26 of them reaching the No. 1 spot.
Throughout his illustrious career, Jackson has won numerous Grammy Awards, CMA Awards, and ACM Awards. He is also a proud member of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry. And by the looks of it, the 62-year-old has no plans of slowing down.
During the 2014 CMT Music Awards, when he received the Impact Award, he put his fans to ease when he reassured them that retriment wasn’t in his vocabulary. “I don’t know what I’d retire from,” he said at the time. “I don’t work much now.”
Alan Jackson Set to Return to His Hometown for Benefit Concert
Now, in the wake of releasing his newest album in five years, he remains as humble as ever. He’s gearing up to head back to his hometown of Newnan, Georgia, on Saturday, June 26, for a benefit concert after a tornado ripped through the town three months ago.
“We still have a tremendous amount of work ahead of us. We really are just starting the long-term recovery part of it,” emergency management director Michael Terrell said. “We’re working with our local community organizations as much as we can, and the concert is going to benefit us locally.”
In May, Jackson announced the benefit concert, adding that he met his wife in the small southern town. After tickets went on sale, the show sold out within hours. Now, organizers expect several thousand fans.
Fortunately, all of the funds raised will go directly to the Coweta Community Foundation. In addition to Jackson, other artists in the lineup include Chris Young and Kaylee Hammock.
For those unable to make the event, Jackson will be live streaming the concert via Facebook. You can also donate here.
