Daily Dirt: Jackson’s touring career nearing an end, but his music should live forever

July 19, 2024 | By Steve Eighinger, Muddy River News Minister of Culture and Doctor of Love

Alan Jackson is suffering from a chronic neuropathy condition that affects his motor skills. | Photo courtesy of Country Now

Daily Dirt for Friday, July 19, 2024

One of my greatest music-related regrets is never seeing superstar country singer Alan Jackson live in concert. Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,009 of The Daily Dirt.

1. Jackson, one of that genre’s all-time best, has revealed he is suffering from a chronic neuropathy condition that affects his motor skills. He is in the midst of his final tour, being forced to surrender to Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

“I have this neuropathy and neurological disease,” Jackson, 65, said during arecent television interview. “It’s genetic that I inherited from my daddy. There’s no cure for it … (and) it’s been affecting me for years. And it’s getting more and more obvious.”

The singer-songwriter told Fox News he’s been “self-conscious on stage because it’s affecting his ability to balance, especially in front of a crowd and in front of the microphone.”

“I know I’m stumbling around stage now,” he continued. “I’m having a little trouble balancing, even in front of the microphone. I just feel very uncomfortable.”

Jackson may soon be leaving the limelight, but his music will always remain. In his honor, here are my 10 favorite Alan Jackson songs:

1. “Remember When” (2003): Jackson wrote this timeless ballad about his enduring love for his wife, Denise, and their marriage. “The couple were high school sweethearts in Georgia, and this song chronicles their relationship from the early years to raising their three daughters, surviving a rocky patch in their relationship and ultimately settling into a mature, long-lasting relationship and looking back on their life together,” writes Deborah Evans Price for Woman’s World magazine. The video is tremendous.
2. “Here in the Real World” (1990): “If life were like the movies, I’d never be blue,” Jackson sings in the song which laments the fact that “the boy don’t always get the girl, here in the real world.”
3. “Wanted” (1990): Obviously, 1990 was a great year (see No. 2) for Jackson.
4. “Gone Country” (1994): Jackson sings about how country music has become so widespread and accepted by all types of people.
5. “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” (2003): This classic that features the famous — and unexpected — contribution from Jimmy Buffet.
6. “Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning” (2001): An emotional song he penned in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the U.S.
7. “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow” (1990): This was another of his 1990s songs that helped define country music in that decade.
8. “I’d Love You All Over Again” (1991): He’s at his best singing love songs, and this is another great one.
9. “Livin’ On Love” (1994): His ninth of 26 No. 1 songs.
10. “Pop A Top” (1999): Jackson was actually the third country artist to release this song.

2. Did you know (Part 68) …

Sonic’s peanut butter Oreo shake provides the consumer 1,720 calories.
Hardee’s monster thickburger is good for 1,290 calories.
Dairy Queen’s chicken strip basket is home to 1,330 calories.
Subway’s chicken bacon ranch footlong boasts 1,140 calories.
Burger King’s triple-stacker king is good for 1,370 calories.
McDonald’s big breakfast with hotcakes also includes 1,340 calories.
Pizza Hut’s meat lovers pizza contains 1,640 calories.

3. This week’s best of “Found on Facebook”:

“It amazes me how much ‘extra fries’ and ‘exercise’ sound alike.”
“1994: I can’t wait to see what the world will look like in 30 years. 2024: I seriously miss 1994.”
“My friend David had his ID stolen. Now he’s just Dav.”
“Nurse: How’s that kid doing who swallowed all of those coins? Doc: No change yet.”
“Isaac Newton discovered gravity in 1687. Before that, people could fly.”

Steve Thought O’ The Day
Think any NFL teams are hurting for money? Think again. Every NFL club received $402.3 million in national revenue alone from the league last season. National revenue comes from media rights, licensing, league sponsorships and other sources.