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==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Jackson married his high school sweetheart, Denise Jackson (no relation), on [[December 15]] [[1979]]. He is the father of three daughters: Mattie Denise (born [[June 19]] [[1990]]), Alexandra Jane (born [[August 23]] [[1993]]), and Dani Grace (born [[August 28]] [[1997]]). They named their home on Center Hill Lake "Real World", since it is the real world when contrasted with his showbiz life;<ref name=RW/> they sold the property in 2001.<ref>Yu, Ting; Hamm, Liza; Abel, Olivia; Brailsford, Karen; Clinton II, Ivory; Comander, Lauren; Davis, Caris; Klise, Kate; Koenig, Angela; Lang, Anne; McFarland, Sabrina; Swertlow, Frank; Warrick, Pamela ([[2001-05-21]]), "ON THE BLOCK". ''People''. '''55''' (20):20</ref>
Jackson married his high school sweetheart, Denise Jackson (no blood relation), on [[December 15]] [[1979]]. He is the father of three daughters: Mattie Denise (born [[June 19]] [[1990]]), Alexandra Jane (born [[August 23]] [[1993]]), and Dani Grace (born [[August 28]] [[1997]]). They named their home on Center Hill Lake "Real World", since it is the real world when contrasted with his showbiz life;<ref name=RW/> they sold the property in 2001.<ref>Yu, Ting; Hamm, Liza; Abel, Olivia; Brailsford, Karen; Clinton II, Ivory; Comander, Lauren; Davis, Caris; Klise, Kate; Koenig, Angela; Lang, Anne; McFarland, Sabrina; Swertlow, Frank; Warrick, Pamela ([[2001-05-21]]), "ON THE BLOCK". ''People''. '''55''' (20):20</ref>


The couple separated for several months in 1998 due to the strains of Jackson's career;<ref>Schindehette, Susan; Keel, Beverly; Sanderson, Jnae; Stewart, Bob; Calkins, Laurel ([[1998-03-09]]), "Achy-breaky hearts". ''People''. '''49''' (9):48</ref> they have since reconciled. Their story is referenced in one of Jackson's most famous songs, "Remember When".{{Fact|date=November 2007}} Denise and their daughters appear in the accompanying video.
The couple separated for several months in 1998 due to the strains of Jackson's career;<ref>Schindehette, Susan; Keel, Beverly; Sanderson, Jnae; Stewart, Bob; Calkins, Laurel ([[1998-03-09]]), "Achy-breaky hearts". ''People''. '''49''' (9):48</ref> they have since reconciled. Their story is referenced in one of Jackson's most famous songs, "Remember When".{{Fact|date=November 2007}} Denise and their daughters appear in the accompanying video.

Revision as of 06:14, 9 November 2007

Template:Infobox musical artist 2

Alan Jackson (born 17 October 1958 in Newnan, Georgia) is an American country singer and songwriter. Influenced by the new traditional country of the 1980s, he was one of the most popular country singers of the 1990s, blending both honky tonk and mainstream country sounds and penning many of his own hits. His success continued into the 2000s and his music became increasingly counterposed with that of more mainstream country acts that were moving toward a more pop music sound.

Early life

Jackson was born in Newnan, Georgia with four older sisters.[1] As a youth, Jackson primarily listened to gospel music, and otherwise was not a major music fan. However, a friend of his introduced him to the music of Gene Watson, John Anderson and Hank Williams Jr. Jackson started a band after high school. After a time, he and his wife of six years, Denise, moved from Newnan to Nashville hoping to pursue music full-time.[2]

Career

In Tennessee, Jackson got a job in The Nashville Network's mailroom.[2] Denise got him connected to Glen Campbell, who helped him jumpstart his career.[3] Jackson eventually signed with Arista.[2]

His first album, 1989's Here in the Real World, was a major hit, as was his second (1991) album, Don't Rock the Jukebox. That year he was nominated for a total of six Country Music Association awards (CMAs).[3] His 1992 album, A Lot About Livin' (And a Little 'Bout Love) was a success, spawning five major singles. Also in 1992, Randy Travis charted three singles co-written by Jackson: "Forever Together", "Better Class of Losers", and "I'd Surrender All".

In 1994 Jackson left his management company Ten Ten Management, which had overseen his career up to that point, and switched to Gary Overton.[4] He was nominated for four 1994 CMAs, including Entertainer of the Year.[1]

It was around this time that Jackson began also gaining fame for his song-writing skills. Other country music artists who have charted with songs co-written by Jackson, including Clay Walker ("If I Could Make a Living"), Chely Wright ("Till I Was Loved By You")[5] and Faith Hill ("I Can't Do That Anymore").

Jackson was the most nominated artist at the 29th annual TNN/Music City News Country Awards that was broadcast June 5 from the Grand Ole Opry House. His six nominations included best entertainer, male artist, vocal collaboration, album, single, and video (two nominations in this category).[6]

"Alan Jackson: The Greatest Hits Collection" was released on October 24, 1995. The disc contained 17 hits, two newly-recorded songs ("I'll Try" and "Tall, Tall Trees"), and the song "Home" from his first album that had never been released as a single.[7]

Ford agency J. Walter Thompson USA in Detroit, in 1997, worked out with Jackson a multimillion-dollar, multi-year contract for his sole endorsement of Ford trucks. In his video for "Who's Cheatin' Who?" he was behind the wheel of a "Big Foot" Ford F-150 pickup truck, and Ford's five Nascar vehicles (at the time) were prominently featured. Additionally, he changed the lyrics "crazy 'bout a Mercury" of the song "Mercury Blues" to "crazy 'bout a Ford truck" in a TV ad for the Ford F-series.[8]

With Jackson's release of Under the Influence in 1999, he took the double risk on a album of covers of country classics while retaining a traditional sound when a rock- and pop-tinged sound dominated country radio.[9]

When the Country Music Association (CMA) asked George Jones to trim his act to 90 seconds for the 1999 CMA awards, he decided to boycott the event. In solidarity, Jackson interrupted his own song and launched into Jones's song "Choices."[10]

After country music changed toward pop music in the 2000s, he and George Strait criticized the state of country music on the song "Murder on Music Row". The song sparked debate in the country music community about whether or not "traditional" country music was actually dead or not.[11] Despite the fact that the song was not officially released as a single, if became the highest-charting nonseasonal album cut (not available in any retail single configuration or released as a promotional single to radio during a chart run) to appear on Hot Country Singles & Tracks in the Broadcast Data Systems era, beating the record previously held by Garth Brooks' "Belleau Wood." The duo were invited to open the 2000 Academy of Country Music Awards (ACMAs) with a performance of the tune.[12] Rolling Stone commented on Jackson's style remarking, "If Garth and Shania have raised the bar for country concerts with Kiss-style production and endless costume changes, then Alan Jackson is doing his best to return the bar to a more human level."[13] After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Jackson released "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)" as a tribute. The song became a hit single and briefly propelled him into the mainstream spotlight. He debuted the song at the 2001 Country Music Association Awards.

Jackson was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame on October 22, 2001 in Atlanta.[14] At the 2001 CMA Awards, Jackson debuted the song "Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning," a reflection on various reactions to the September 11 attack. The performance was generally considered the highlight of the show, and Jackson's site crashed the next day from server requests.[15] The song came to Jackson suddenly, and had not been scheduled for any official release, but the live performance began receiving radio airplay and was soon released as a single.

Jackson released a Christmas album, titled Let It Be Christmas, October 22, 2002.[16] At the 2002 CMAs, Jackson set a record for having the most nominations in a single year - ten - many rising from the song ""Where Were You". It also brought his career total up him the second number of nominations ever, after George Strait.[17] "Where Were You" also was nominated for a Grammy for Song of the Year. The song was also subsequently parodied in the South Park episode "A Ladder To Heaven".

Jeannie Kendall contacted Jackson to do a duet, and he suggested the song "Timeless and True Love". It appeared on her first solo album, released in 2003.[18]

At the 2003 Academy of Country Music Awards, Jackson won Album of the Year for Drive and Video of the Year for the video to "Drive (For Daddy Gene)."[19]

Touring

Jackson headlined the 1995 Fruit Of The Loom Comfort Tour, a deal worth $40 million. It began January 20 in New Orleans and ran for a hundred dates.[20]

Alan Jackson's 2004 concert tour launched January 23 in Fort Myers, Florida and was sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts in a deal that included Jackson's endorsement in TV spots. The tour included more than 50 U.S. dates. Martina McBride was the opening for some of the shows.[21]

Band

Alan Jackson's backup band (since 1989) is "The Strayhorns". The current line-up of musicians is:

Personal life

Jackson married his high school sweetheart, Denise Jackson (no blood relation), on December 15 1979. He is the father of three daughters: Mattie Denise (born June 19 1990), Alexandra Jane (born August 23 1993), and Dani Grace (born August 28 1997). They named their home on Center Hill Lake "Real World", since it is the real world when contrasted with his showbiz life;[1] they sold the property in 2001.[22]

The couple separated for several months in 1998 due to the strains of Jackson's career;[23] they have since reconciled. Their story is referenced in one of Jackson's most famous songs, "Remember When".[citation needed] Denise and their daughters appear in the accompanying video.

Denise Jackson wrote a book relating her life with Jackson, their relationship, separation, and recommitment to each other, and her commitment to Christianity, titled It's All About Him, which was published in 2007.

Jackson's nephew, Adam Wright, is also a country music singer-songwriter. Adam and his wife, Shannon, perform together as a duo called The Wrights.[24]

Discography

Number one albums

Year Title Chart Positions
US Country US 200
1992 A Lot About Livin' (And a Little 'Bout Love) 1 13
1994 Who I Am 1 5
1995 The Greatest Hits Collection 1 5
1996 Everything I Love 1 12
1998 High Mileage 1 4
2000 When Somebody Loves You 1 15
2002 Drive 1 1
2003 Greatest Hits Volume II 1 1
2004 What I Do 1 1
2006 Precious Memories[A] 1 4
Like Red on a Rose 1 4

^ A: Precious Memories also peaked at #1 on the US Gospel Albums chart.

Number one singles

Year Title Chart Positions Album
US Country US Hot 100
1991 "I'd Love You All Over Again" 1 - Here in the Real World
"Don't Rock The Jukebox" 1 - Don't Rock the Jukebox
"Someday" 1 -
1992 "Dallas" 1 -
"Love's Got a Hold on You" 1 -
"She's Got the Rhythm (And I Got the Blues)" 1 - A Lot About Livin' (And a Little 'Bout Love)
1993 "Chattahoochee" 1 46
1994 "Summertime Blues" 1 104 Who I Am
"Livin' on Love" 1 101
"Gone Country" 1 -
1995 "I Don't Even Know Your Name" 1 -
"Tall, Tall Trees" 1 - The Greatest Hits Collection
1996 "I'll Try" 1 -
"Little Bitty" 1 58 Everything I Love
1997 "There Goes" 1 -
1998 "Right on the Money" 1 43 High Mileage
2000 "It Must Be Love" 1 37 Under the Influence
"Where I Come From" 1 34 When Somebody Loves You
2001 "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)" 1 28 Drive
2002 "Drive (For Daddy Gene)" 1 28
2003 "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" (w/ Jimmy Buffett) 1 17 Greatest Hits Volume II And Some Other Stuff
"Remember When" 1 29

Awards

ASCAP

  • Country Song of the Year, "Don't Rock The Jukebox" 1992
  • Country Songwriter of the Year 1993

Academy of Country Music

  • Top New Male Vocalist 1990
  • Single Record of the Year, "Don't Rock The Jukebox" 1991
  • Album of the Year, Don't Rock The Jukebox 1991
  • Single Record of the Year, "Chattahoochee" 1993; "Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)" 2002
  • Album of the Year, A Lot About Livin' (And A Little 'Bout Love) 1993
  • Male Vocalist of the Year 1994 and 1995
  • All time winner: Single of the Year 2005

Country Music Association

  • Music Video of the Year, "Midnight In Montgomery" 1992
  • Music Video of the Year, "Chattahoochee" 1993
  • Single of the Year, "Chattahoochee" 1993
  • Single of the Year, "Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)" 2002
  • Vocal Event of the Year, "I Don't Need Your Rockin' Chair" (with George Jones) 1993
  • Vocal Event of the Year, "Murder On Music Row" (with George Strait) 2000
  • Vocal Event of the Year, "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" (with Jimmy Buffett) 2003
  • Song of the Year, "Chattahoochee" 1994
  • Song of the Year, "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)" 2002
  • Album of the Year, Common Threads: The Songs of the Eagles 1994
  • Album of the Year, Drive 2002
  • Male Vocalist of the Year 2002, 2003
  • Entertainer of the Year 1995, 2002, 2003

Grammy

  • Best Country Song "Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)" 2002

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b c Author unknown (Fall 94 Special Issue), "Livin' in the real world". People. 42 (9):20
  2. ^ a b c Ali, Lorraine (2002-02-18), "Jackson in the Driver's Seat". Newsweek. 139 (7):68
  3. ^ a b Sanz, C.; Sanderson, J. (September 2, 1991), "Honky-tonk hero". People. 36 (8):76
  4. ^ Lichtman, Irv (March 5, 1994), "Alan Jackson switches managers". Billboard. 106 (10):90
  5. ^ Cronin, Peter (November 19, 1994), "Spotlight shines on Jackson's songwriting". Billboard. 106 (47):37
  6. ^ Morris, Edward (March 4, 1995), "Alan Jackson gets 7 noms in TNN/Music City awards". Billboard. 107 (9):35
  7. ^ Price, Deborah Evans (September 16, 1995), "20, count `em, 20 Jackson hits". Billboard. 107 (37):32
  8. ^ Halliday, Jean (1997-05-19), "Jackson lets Ford star in his latest music video". Advertising Age. 68 (20):10
  9. ^ Flippo, Chet (1999-09-25), "Jackson returns to roots with traditional set; Arista/Nashville seeks sound's revival". Billboard. 111 (39):38
  10. ^ Peyser, Mark; Davis, Alisha; Underhill, William (1999-10-04), "Newsmakers". Newsweek. 134 (14):78
  11. ^ Price, Deborah Evans, (2000-05-06), "Is There `Murder On Music Row'? Debate Continues". Billboard. 112 (19):36
  12. ^ Jessen, Wade (2000-04-29), "COUNTRY CORNER". Billboard. 112 (18):60
  13. ^ Boenlert, Eric (2000-03-02), "Performance". Rolling Stone. (835):44
  14. ^ No byline (2001-11-10), "In The News". Billboard. 113 (45):36
  15. ^ Bessman, Jim (2001-11-24), "Words & Music". Billboard. 113 (47):36
  16. ^ Stark, Phyllis (2002-09-07), "Nashville Scene". Billboard. 114 (36):29
  17. ^ Stark, Phyllis (2002-09-07), "Jackson Nominated For 10 CMAs". Billboard. 114 (36):6
  18. ^ Price, Deborah Evans (2003-03-01), "Jeannie Kendall Makes Her Solo Debut On Rounder". Billboard. 115 (9):33
  19. ^ Editor unknown (2004), "2003 Academy of Country Music Awards". World Almanac & Book of Facts. Volume unknown:287. ISSN 0084-1382
  20. ^ Lichtman, Irv. (January 21, 1995), "Jackson Fruit of Loom tour". Billboard. 107 (3):86
  21. ^ Martens, Todd; Stark, Phyllis; Kipnis, Jill; Walsh, Christopher (2004-01-17), "NEWSLINE...". Billboard. 116 (3):8
  22. ^ Yu, Ting; Hamm, Liza; Abel, Olivia; Brailsford, Karen; Clinton II, Ivory; Comander, Lauren; Davis, Caris; Klise, Kate; Koenig, Angela; Lang, Anne; McFarland, Sabrina; Swertlow, Frank; Warrick, Pamela (2001-05-21), "ON THE BLOCK". People. 55 (20):20
  23. ^ Schindehette, Susan; Keel, Beverly; Sanderson, Jnae; Stewart, Bob; Calkins, Laurel (1998-03-09), "Achy-breaky hearts". People. 49 (9):48
  24. ^ The Wrights: 'Down This Road'