Country music's Alan Jackson hangs up his cowboy hat and announces his final tour dates as his health “takes a turn for the worse.”
“I've been on tour for over 30 years, you know, played all over the country and parts of the world and had a wonderful career,” he said in a video posted on X, announcing the final dates for his Last Call: One. More for Road's farewell tour.
The “Chattahoochee” singer, 65, cited his desire to spend more time with his family, particularly his three daughters and grandchildren, as he enters his “twilight years.”
“I enjoy spending more time at home and I don't want to be away like I had to be in my youth,” he said. “I think it's time to start thinking about quitting full time.”
Another factor in Jackson's decision was his diagnosis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a genetic neurological condition that affects muscle control in the feet and hands. The condition is not fatal, but can severely restrict mobility, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The singer has had to postpone shows to address related health issues, notably pausing a multi-show outing in 2022 to address “health issues” stemming from the illness.
“Most of my fans know that I have a degenerative health condition that affects my legs and arms and my mobility,” the two-time Grammy winner explained in this week's video. “And it’s getting worse.”
“It makes me feel more uncomfortable on stage and I just have a hard time. I just want to think about dropping everything before I can't do the job the way I want,” she concluded.
The Country Music Hall of Famer revealed his diagnosis in a 2021 interview on “Today,” explaining that he decided to go public with the information because it was beginning to visibly affect his performances.
“I just wanted to let the fans and the public know if they've come to see me in the last few years or if they'll come to see me in the future if I keep playing, what's going on,” he told co-host Jenna. Bush Hager.
“In some ways, [disclosing the condition is] It was a relief because I was starting to feel very self-conscious up there, because of the stumbles,” he said. “And it made me nervous trying to keep my balance. And I look pitiful. So I think it will be good for me to get it out there now, and if anyone is curious as to why I don't walk well, that's why.”
At the time, the artist said he had no plans to stop traveling, but that his health could affect his availability.
Jackson's final shows will run from August to May in Boston; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Fayetteville, Arkansas; Kansas City, Missouri; Salt Lake City; Oklahoma City; Fort Worth, Texas; Orlando and Tampa, Florida, and Milwaukee. Tickets went on sale Friday.
