Introduction
For nearly three decades, Alan Jackson has stood as one of country music’s most beloved and influential voices—a towering figure onstage, on radio, and in the hearts of millions of fans worldwide. But behind the bright lights and the long string of chart-topping hits, the singer has been quietly fighting a personal health battle that many never realized he was facing. In a candid conversation with TODAY’s Jenna Bush Hager, Jackson opened up about a condition he has been living with for more than a decade: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a degenerative nerve disorder that has slowly begun to reshape his life.
Jackson revealed that he received the diagnosis ten years ago, long before most fans noticed any change in his performances. CMT—an inherited disorder that damages the peripheral nerves—primarily affects the muscles in the arms and legs. According to the Mayo Clinic, the disease can cause muscle weakness, loss of sensation, and significant difficulty with balance and coordination. These are symptoms Jackson has increasingly struggled with, especially onstage.
“There’s no cure for it,” he admitted openly. “It’s been affecting me for years, and it’s getting more and more obvious. I know I’m stumbling around on stage, and now I’m having trouble balancing even in front of the microphone.” Although symptoms often appear during adolescence or early adulthood, Jackson’s diagnosis came in his 50s, showing how widely the condition’s timeline can vary.
While CMT is not life-threatening, it is undeniably life-altering. Jackson shared that the disease is related to muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s, and although he doesn’t currently require assistance to walk, he knows that day will eventually come. Yet despite the emotional weight of the diagnosis, he expressed a sense of relief in finally sharing the truth with the world. The secrecy and self-consciousness surrounding his performances had become a burden he no longer wanted to carry alone.
What surprised many observers was Jackson’s resolve. Retirement, he emphasized, is not in his plans—not now, and not in the theatrical, farewell-tour fashion many artists choose. “I never wanted to do the big retirement tour and then take a year off and come back,” he said. “I’m not saying I won’t be able to tour. I’ll try to do as much as I can.”
Almost immediately after his interview aired, fans flooded social media with messages of encouragement, love, and gratitude. Many shared their own experiences living with CMT, expressing how meaningful it was to see a star of Jackson’s stature speak so openly about the disorder. Others simply thanked him for his honesty and assured him that they would continue to support him no matter what the future holds.
Jackson’s latest album, Where Have You Gone, was released in May, and his final remaining show for 2021 was scheduled for October 8 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Despite the uncertainties ahead, Alan Jackson continues to move forward—gracefully, courageously, and with the unwavering support of the fans who have stood beside him for decades.