Introduction
Alan Jackson’s daughter Maddie married Ben Selekman in October 2017, but their happiness was tragically cut short less than a year later. On September 12, 2018, Ben passed away unexpectedly in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was assisting a woman onto a boat when he fell, hitting his head and suffering a traumatic brain injury that proved fatal. The sudden loss devastated the Jackson family, particularly Alan, who has recently opened up about a deeply emotional memory he shared with his late son-in-law.
Jackson’s reflections came while promoting his latest album, Where Have You Gone, which includes the heartfelt track “You’ll Always Be My Baby.” The song was originally written at Maddie’s request for her father-daughter dance. Alan shared that he crafted the song with the hope it could be used by all three of his daughters for their special dances, explaining, “I don’t want to write three different songs, so I wrote one that all three could use.”
While all three daughters connected deeply with the song, it was Ben’s reaction that left the strongest impression on Alan. “I remember we were at home, and I played a rough demo for him in the garage because I didn’t have a way to play it inside,” Jackson recalled. “He looked emotional and said it was just perfect. That memory has stayed with me.” For Alan, it was a rare moment of connection with a son-in-law he never expected to lose so soon.
After Ben’s passing, Alan struggled with grief and frustration, putting aside an album he had been preparing. In a candid interview with Hits Daily Double, he admitted, “When he died, I was kind of pissed off at the world. I just wasn’t feeling right about anything.” The loss was particularly difficult for Jackson, who grew up surrounded mostly by women. “Having a son-in-law was having a boy I could fish with, work on cars with, and share moments with. Losing him so suddenly was just jarring,” he said.
Despite the heartbreak, the song “You’ll Always Be My Baby” has become a treasured keepsake for the family. It captures the love between a father and daughter while honoring the memory of Ben, who touched Alan’s life in a meaningful way. Jackson describes it as one of his most special songs, a reminder of a bond that was cut tragically short but will live on through music.
Today, Alan Jackson’s family continues to cherish those memories. Though the grief remains, the love and connection that song represents stand as a lasting tribute. Fans can experience this poignant reflection on family and loss by listening to Where Have You Gone, available on all digital platforms, where Jackson’s heartfelt storytelling once again shines.