Alan Jackson was born on October 17, 1958 in Newnan, Georgia. He was one of five children born to a mechanic and a housewife. Gospel music was an intricate part of his life as he grew up in the small town. Jackson sang his beloved gospel in church and at home. His musical background would later take him to new heights in the world of country music. You can find out all about it when you read this biography of Alan Jackson.
Before his high school education was finished, Alan Jackson quit school and began to work a job. He and his high school sweetheart Denise were married on December 15, 1979. She worked as an airline stewardess. (Amazingly, Denise’s job would ultimately become more than a paycheck for the couple.)
When Alan Jackson wasn’t working his regular job, he played at nightclubs and bars with his band “Dixie Steel.”
One day while Denise Jackson was at work, she spotted Glen Campbell in the airport. She quickly handed him a demo tape made by Alan. Campbell showed real interest in the singer, so Alan and Denise moved to Nashville in 1985.
Glen Campbell worked with Alan Jackson through his own music publishing company. His company hired Jackson as a songwriter on their staff.
Finally, Alan Jackson’s break came when he signed on to Arista records in 1989. His first single, “Blue Blooded Woman” barely made the country music charts. However, his first album, “Here in the Real World”, which was released in 1990, climbed the charts. It became platinum.
Alan Jackson was finally on his way as a successful singer and songwriter.
Jackson has made hit after hit song, including “I’d Love You All Over Again” and “Don’t Rock the Jukebox” in 1991. Midnight in Montgomery” which was released the following year, earned him a Country Music Association (CMA) award.
The hit songs just kept on coming as Alan Jackson recorded “Chattahoochee”, which earned him yet another CMA award in 1993. It was named the song of the year in 1994.
Alan Jackson’s country-boy good looks and his songwriting and singing abilities made him a favorite male country music singer throughout the 1990’s. He had so many hit songs that he could have easily stopped writing and recording and just floated along on his successes. But, besides having music in his blood, Jackson was raised up with hardwork and values instilled in him. So, he simply continued doing what he loved best, and the hit songs kept coming.
In 2001, Alan Jackson responded to the terrorist attacks of 9/11 the best way he knew how. He wrote “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning).” The song about the catastrophes not only touched the hearts of the country, but it also garnered Jackson his first Grammy Award.
It also earned him the CMA “Song of the Year” award and “Single of the Year” in 2002.
In 2003, Alan Jackson teamed up with Jimmy Buffett with their hit, “”It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.” The song quickly became a number one hit. It was awarded the 2003 “Vocal Event of the Year” Award by the CMA. Jackson himself won a second “Male Vocalist of the Year” award and his third “Entertainer of the Year” award from the CMA.
The very next year, Jackson “did it again” when he released another number one hit, “Remember When.”
Then, in 2006, the talented singer/songwriter reached back to his roots when he recorded an album full of gospel songs. The album, “Precious Memories”, was made for his mother.
On a personal note, Alan is still married to the love of his life, wife Denise Jackson. The couple have three beautiful daughters.
