Country music fans are saying a bittersweet goodbye to a true American icon.
Alan Jackson, the Grammy-winning country singer known for his timeless voice and heartfelt storytelling, has officially retired from touring at the age of 66.
After more than four decades of captivating audiences with his Southern charm, Jackson brought his final tour performance to a close in Milwaukee, Wisconsin this past weekend.
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Jackson’s “Last Call: One More for the Road Tour” marked the end of an era.
The tour was announced last year following Jackson’s public disclosure of ongoing health issues, which ultimately made life on the road more difficult.
Saturday’s concert was an emotional milestone for both Jackson and his devoted fans.
“Y’all may have heard that I’m kinda winding down. In fact, this is my last roadshow of my career,” Jackson told the crowd during the show. “Y’all gonna make me tear up out here.”
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While the Milwaukee show was his final official tour stop, Jackson also hinted that he isn’t quite done performing altogether.
Country music star Alan Jackson announces his retirement from touring at a concert in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Jackson told the crowd “I will say that this is my last road show out here, but we’re planning on doing a big finale show in Nashville next summer sometime.” pic.twitter.com/4UVaAaMDzg
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) May 19, 2025
“I will say that this is my last road show out here, but we’re planning on doing a big finale show in Nashville next summer sometime,” he said.
“I just felt like I had to end it all where it all started, and that’s in Nashville, Tennessee. But this is the last one out on the road for me.”
The moment was both poignant and nostalgic for Jackson, who took a moment to reflect on the journey that led him to this point.
“It’s been a long, sweet ride. It started 40 years ago this September,” he shared.
“My wife and I drove to Nashville with an ol’ UHaul trailer, and chased this dream. It’s been a crazy ride. I lived the American dream for sure. So blessed.”
Indeed, Jackson’s career has been the stuff of dreams. With more than 75 million records sold worldwide, 26 number-one Billboard hits, and a place in the Country Music Hall of Fame, he has earned his place among the all-time greats.
His legacy is built not just on commercial success, but on the emotional authenticity that has resonated with generations of country fans.
The decision to step away from touring comes in the wake of Jackson’s battle with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a degenerative nerve condition he revealed publicly in 2021. Though he was diagnosed in 2011, Jackson chose to keep the condition private for many years.
Country legend Alan Jackson performed his final road show in Milwaukee on May 17, 2025, marking the end of a 30-year touring career. Battling Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, he plans a final farewell concert in Nashville next summer. pic.twitter.com/Zl9VGmrL95
— NTC Feed (@NTC_Feed) May 19, 2025
“I have this neuropathy and neurological disease,” he said during a heartfelt interview on the TODAY show.
“It’s genetic that I inherited from my daddy. There’s no cure for it, but it’s been affecting me for years. And it’s getting more and more obvious.”
The disease impacts Jackson’s motor skills and balance, making stage performances increasingly challenging.
“I know I’m stumbling around stage now,” he admitted. “I’m having a little trouble balancing, even in front of the microphone. I just feel very uncomfortable.”
Still, Jackson said that finally opening up about his condition came with a sense of relief.
“In some ways it’s a relief [to talk about it] because I was starting to get so self-conscious up there about stumbling around,” he said. “I think it’ll be good for me now to get it out in the open. If anybody’s curious at why I don’t walk right, that’s why.”
Even though Jackson has closed the touring chapter of his life, he isn’t walking away from music altogether. The songwriting spark remains alive and well, and fans can look forward to more original music from the beloved artist.
“I’m always scribbling down ideas and thinking about melodies… I feel like there’ll be some more music to come, yes,” Jackson said.
Country legend Alan Jackson performed his final road show in Milwaukee on May 17, 2025, marking the end of a 30-year touring career. Battling Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, he plans a final farewell concert in Nashville next summer. pic.twitter.com/Zl9VGmrL95
— NTC Feed (@NTC_Feed) May 19, 2025
“I may not have toured much, but again… like I said, the creative part jumps out every now and then. [Writing songs] is more fulfilling than anything. It’s like, you can be a singer and go out and tour… but it’s kind of like you’re just doing the same thing over and over.”
As Jackson rides off into the sunset of his touring career, the country music world pauses to reflect on everything he has contributed.
With his down-home lyrics, genuine humility, and unforgettable voice, Alan Jackson has left a permanent mark on the heart of American music.
Fans will no doubt miss seeing him on the road, but there’s comfort in knowing that his journey isn’t entirely over.
That one last show in Nashville—where it all began—will surely be a fitting finale for a man who has given so much to the genre he helped shape.
From the small town of Newnan, Georgia to the grandest stages in America, Alan Jackson’s “long, sweet ride” has been nothing short of legendary.
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