Alan Jackson Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
With over 30 years in the country music industry, hometown boy Alan Jackson has unlocked yet another level of career success. This month The Academy of Country Music has named the new ACM Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of Jackson and have added this title to his previous collection of 21 ACM awards.
On May 8, 2025 fellow country music legend Reba McIntire presented the award to Jackson while gushing, “In 1990 an artist from Newnan, Georgia burst onto the country music scene with his debut album, ‘Here in the Real World.’ Tonight he’s winning the ACM Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor so special it’s being named after him!”
This award was created not only to commemorate Jackson’s enduring career, but to also carry on for years to come to honor other worthy artists. According to ACM,“the namesake award will continue to recognize an iconic artist, duo, or group that has achieved both national and international prominence and stature through concert performances, philanthropy, record sales, streaming numbers, and public representation.”
True to his southern bred charm and humility Jackson joked, “One of my fans once told me they named their dog after me, and I thought that was something….now to be standing here receiving such an honor like this is just mind blowing.”
While fighting back tears, Jackson thanked many for helping him reach this milestone, but he had a special acknowledgement for his wife of 45 years, Denise.
“She’s loved me through the good and the bad and the happy and the sad and has influenced me, given me three beautiful daughters, and helped me keep my feet on the ground all these years. I wouldn’t be here without her.”
In fact it was Denise Jackson’s quick thinking and chance meeting with music legend Glen Campell in 1985 that stands out as a crucial moment in Alan Jackson’s career. Upon meeting in an airport, Campell was generous enough to give Denise a business card when she asked for industry advice for her husband. He advised the couple to give his publishing company a call and just a year later Alan Jackson had a contract.
“I came to Nashville with a paper sack full of songs and a crazy dream. Thank you all so much for this honor and for all the years,” Jackson concluded his acceptance to thunderous applause.
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