ACM Awards Names New Lifetime Achievement Award After Alan Jackson: ‘This is Mind Blowing’
At the 60th annual Academy of Country Music Awards, Alan Jackson was honored with a special Lifetime Achievement Award, a tribute to his remarkable career and legacy in country music. The moment was made even more special as Jackson was given a standing ovation during the opening monologue simply for having his name mentioned, underscoring the immense respect he holds within the industry.
The ACM’s new Lifetime Achievement Award was named after Jackson, making him its first recipient, a fitting recognition for a man who has defined the country genre for decades. After a heartfelt performance of his classic hit “Remember When,” Jackson took the stage and shared his gratitude for the honor.
“Usually, one of my fans tells me they named their dog after me, and I thought that was really something,” Jackson joked. “I came to Nashville with a paper sack full of songs and a crazy dream, and that all these years later I’m standing here receiving such an honor is mind-blowing. I thank God all the time for all the people that have been a part of my life and career and for helping me maintain this all this time.”
A Lifetime of Achievement, Honored
Alan Jackson is no stranger to receiving Lifetime Achievement Awards. His extensive body of work has been recognized by several prestigious organizations, including the Country Music Association and the Nashville Songwriters Association International. In 2022, Jackson was presented with the CMA’s Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, which was followed by an all-star tribute performance featuring Dierks Bentley, Jon Pardi, Carrie Underwood, and Lainey Wilson. Underwood, who was deeply influenced by Jackson’s music, expressed her admiration, saying, “The very first concert I ever went to was an Alan Jackson concert. Seeing him perform helped inspire me to pursue my dreams. It’s been said that country music is three chords and the truth. And in every one of Alan Jackson’s songs, there is truth.”
Recent Honors and Continued Recognition
In addition to his ACM Lifetime Achievement Award, Jackson received the ACM Poets Award in 2024, recognizing his songwriting genius. At the 2024 ACM Honors ceremony, country stars Jordan Davis and Carly Pearce honored Jackson by performing his hits “Chattahoochee” and “Don’t Rock the Jukebox.” Eric Church also gave a tribute performance of Jackson’s iconic “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow.”
Church praised Jackson as “an institution and an American treasure,” while reflecting on the impact Jackson’s music has had on the country music landscape.
One of the most significant aspects of Jackson’s recent appearances is that it marks one of the few public appearances he has made since revealing in 2021 that he had been diagnosed with Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease. This condition has greatly affected his ability to stand and maintain balance. Despite the challenges, Jackson expressed deep gratitude during his stage speech, saying, “There are so many people I can’t even begin to thank them all. I do want to especially thank one person who’s been my best friend since I was 17 years old, my wife Denise out there. She’s loved me through the good, the bad, the happy and the sad and has helped me keep my feet on the ground all these years. I wouldn’t be here without her.”
Alan Jackson’s journey continues to inspire, and his contributions to country music will never be forgotten.