Alan Jackson held a Friday night concert at Orlando’s Kia Center and greeted the typical country singer: “How about tonight?”
It was a proper greeting, as Jackson is a typical country singer. He proudly calls his music “the real country” and immediately tells you it’s about drinks, Rovin, Mama, and the truck.
And for 35 years, country music fans responded. Over 75 million records have been sold, with 35 No. 1 hit on Billboard’s country charts. At age 66, he is on a farewell tour entitled “The Last Call: One for Another Path.” He is “rolling up” as he places it, so he can head to his self-proclaimed “The Year of Twilight” with more time at home with his family.
Jackson revealed in 2021 that he is suffering from a Charcotte-Marie-dental disease, a hereditary degenerative neuropathy that affects the hands and feet in particular. But if Jackson’s step was more stable than his prime and his speech was a little slower, that beautiful and expressive baritone was still full strength.
Photo: Alan Jackson’s final call: Another road tour
And there was a parade of hairstyles that a press show video appeared and went on display, but ah, the mallet era! – The big white cowboy hat remains.
Jackson played Uptempo’s crowd with full force: “Don’t shake the jukebox,” “Chattahoochee,” and “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere.”
But there was an emotional atmosphere of reflection all night, which also helped him project his classic music video, a trip to the memory lane of its own.
Jackson spoke about the importance of Florida in his life.
“It’s been like a second home for me and my family for 30 years,” he said. “I fished from one coast to the other and anywhere in between.”
And in a segment with early hits of “Here in the Real World”, “Recruiting”, and “That Neon Rainbow”, he recalls how he gave himself five years to find success in Nashville, but has exhausted the era when his wife announced he was expecting his first child. After that, patience was rewarded in the final moments.
“It’s been almost five years since I finally signed a record deal,” he recalled.
Still, his first single wasn’t a big hit. But “Fortunately, the record label decided to release it (‘here in the real world’), and I haven’t worked since,” he said with a smile. “That was my first No. 1 record. It’s been pretty good since then.”
Certainly pretty good.
He rolled other hits: Zippy “Who is fooling”, comics “I don’t even know your name” (didn’t slow down by a strange microphone breakdown between one poem), 9-11 meditation “Where were you” (that spell was broken by the chant of a rather aggressive crowd of “America, America”), “Where did I come from” among other locals and marks). “Itty Bitty”, “Good Time”, “Mercury Blues” – just got hits.
Reminiscing further: “I love you once more,” delivered in his candid and sincere style, written for his wife as a homage to his father in the anthemic “Drive (Dad Jean)” which marks the 10th anniversary.
Some of the most thrilling moments came in songs from a career that didn’t reach chart heights.
“The Blues Man” featured the inspiring solos of Rusty Danmyer and Ryan Joseph of Pedal Steel, two skilled musicians from Jackson’s band The Strayhorns. (Joseph later tore his fiddle solo and kicked off “Little Beat.”)
The lyrics to “The Alend I Get” were particularly touching on the farewell tour. “The older I get, the better you get just one minute of live shows while you’re in it.
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Was it the manly tears of Jackson’s eyes during “When do you remember?” It could have been a drop of sweat – “It’s hotter than Hoochy’s Coochy here,” he said at one point, realizing – but I’m stuck in my foggy eyes.
“It’s a sweet thing that’s precious to my heart,” he said after gently singing the 2003 No. 1 hit. “There are so many memories there.”
Jackson’s opening act reflects his classic approach to country music and gentlemanly approach to performance.
James Carrothers was wearing a slow brown suit that could be seen on the right of Grand Ol Opry’s house. He faithfully promotes Jackson’s bar, where he plays – a video of Nashville watering holes played on the big screen – and he delivered a pleasant retro vibe with hits like Oak Ridge Boys’ “I Wanted to Turn My Head” and John Anderson’s “Seminole Style.”
Carothers was followed by Rising Star’s Zach Top. That album, “Cold Beer & Country Music,” released several radio-friendly singles, “Sounds The Radio” and “I Never Lie.” I was more drawn to the kick “Just Jonesin'” that performed his charmingly Twangie baritone with bluesy undertones and sweet and romantic “Sun” with his old-fashioned talent.
Perhaps some of the many young faces in the crowd were drawn to the Kia Center to see the top, but they certainly knew all the words of Jackson’s hit. It’s a fitting respect for the man who influenced generations of country performers and fans while he cut his touring boots.
“I just want to thank you,” Jackson said. His appreciation is clear in the sense that it is not just Friday night, but his entire career. “It was a joy.”
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Original issue: 5am Eastern Standard Time, March 8, 2025
