Alan Jackson's Journey: Confronting Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease
Alan Jackson's Brave Fight Against Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease: Discover the country legend's inspiring journey as he opens up about his health battle, future plans, and his determination to continue touring
Country music icon Alan Jackson has quietly fought against Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease for over ten years. However, he only made his diagnosis known to the public in September 2021.
In a recent interview on the Today show, the esteemed member of the Country Music Hall of Fame candidly shared his experience. He revealed, "I have been dealing with this neuropathy and neurological disease. It is a genetic condition that I inherited from my father... Unfortunately, there is no cure for it, and its effects have been evident for quite some time, gradually becoming more noticeable."
Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) is a genetic condition that impacts the nervous system, resulting in the gradual deterioration of muscle tissue and reduced sensation in the arms and legs. Additionally, individuals with CMT may encounter challenges with balance and walking. Jackson, on his recent appearance on Today, emphasized that while this disorder does not reduce life expectancy, it significantly hampers mobility, particularly for someone accustomed to performing regularly on stage.
"I have hesitated to discuss this openly with my fans," explained the singer of the hit song "Chattahoochee" when unveiling his struggle with the disorder. Surprisingly, the disorder, named CMT, impacted not only him but also his grandmother and sister, which adds to the irony as CMT played a significant role in his career.
1990 marked the release of the Grammy-winning artist's first album, "Here in the Real World," propelling him to become one of the most accomplished country stars in history. With over 40 million albums sold worldwide and being named the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year three times, his success speaks volumes.
Throughout his career, Denise Jackson has been a constant presence by his side. They were high school sweethearts who got married in 1979 and together they have three daughters: Mattie (born in 1990), Ali (born in 1993), and Dani (born in 1997).
Although the couple experienced a brief separation in 1998, they managed to reconcile. In 2007, Denise wrote a memoir titled "It's All About Him: Finding the Love of My Life" which delved into their romantic journey. Since his diagnosis, she has been unwavering in her support for her husband, proving to be one of his greatest advocates.
Denise shared with Jenna Bush Hager in September 2021 that when she's feeling down, he always lifts her spirits. And in return, she tries her best to uplift him when he's feeling low. She described their life together as a fairy tale.
After revealing his health battle, Alan announced the Last Call Tour. However, he made it clear that he didn't want to label it as a farewell tour. Additionally, he has been supporting his fellow musicians in the industry. In October 2022, he performed at a tribute concert for Loretta Lynn at the Grand Ole Opry. The following month, he graciously accepted the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the CMA Awards.
Alan expressed gratitude to Denise for her consistent support throughout their relationship, acknowledging that they have been together since their teenage years. He recognized the ups and downs they have faced together, describing it as a roller-coaster ride spanning over four decades. Despite admitting that he may not always be the easiest person to love, Alan commended Denise for standing by his side during difficult times and celebrating the good moments. Their bond has endured through various challenges, marking their resilience. Read on to discover Alan's insights on his journey with CMT.
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Everything Alan Jackson Has Said About His Battle With Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease
Country superstar Alan Jackson has been battling Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease for more than a decade, but he didn't go public with his diagnosis until September 2021.
"I suffer from neuropathy and a neurological disease," the Country Music Hall of Fame member shared during a Today show interview. "It is a genetic condition inherited from my father. Unfortunately, there is no cure for it, and it has been impacting me for many years. Moreover, its effects are becoming increasingly evident."
Known as CMT, Charcot-Marie-Tooth is an inherited disorder that specifically targets the nervous system. It gradually leads to the deterioration of muscle tissue and a loss of sensation in the extremities. Patients also often encounter challenges with balance and walking.
During his appearance on Today, Jackson clarified that while the disease does not reduce life expectancy, it significantly hampers one's ability to move - particularly for someone accustomed to performing on stage consistently.
"I have been hesitant to openly discuss this with the public and my fans," confessed the renowned singer of "Chattahoochee" upon disclosing his struggle with the condition, which interestingly enough, also afflicted his grandmother and sister. "Ironically, it is referred to as CMT, which played a significant role in my career."
Grammy winner released his debut album, Here in the Real World, in 1990, subsequently establishing himself as one of the most accomplished country artists in history. With over 40 million albums sold worldwide, he has been honored with the prestigious title of Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year on three separate occasions.
Throughout his illustrious career, his loyal companion has been his wife, Denise Jackson. The couple, who first fell in love during their high school years, exchanged vows in 1979 and later received the blessings of parenthood as they welcomed their three daughters: Mattie (born in 1990), Ali (born in 1993), and Dani (born in 1997).
In 1998, the couple experienced a brief separation. However, they later reconciled, and Denise documented their love story in her 2007 memoir titled "It's All About Him: Finding the Love of My Life." Following his diagnosis, Denise has been a dedicated supporter to her husband, consistently uplifting him during his lows. Speaking to Jenna Bush Hager in September 2021, Denise expressed that their relationship has been like a fairy tale, with both partners providing support and encouragement to each other.
Alan, after candidly discussing his health struggles, announced the Last Call Tour. However, he made it clear that he did not want to label it as a farewell tour. Additionally, he has been showing support for his peers in the music industry by performing at a tribute concert for Loretta Lynn at the Grand Ole Opry in October 2022. The next month, he graciously accepted the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the CMA Awards ceremony.
During his heartfelt speech, Alan expressed his gratitude towards Denise for her unwavering support throughout the years. "We started our journey as teenagers, and she has stood by my side through all the ups and downs for over four decades," he reminisced. "I may not always be the easiest person to love, but she has remained steadfast and helped me through difficult times. Together, we have experienced both joy and sorrow. We have faced numerous challenges and overcome them all."
Keep scrolling for everything Alan has said about his battle with CMT:
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How It Affects Him
"There is no cure for my condition, which has been affecting me for several years," revealed the artist known for his hit song "Gone Country" during a Today show interview in September 2021. "Its impact is becoming increasingly apparent. I find myself stumbling around on stage and even struggling to maintain balance in front of the microphone, which leaves me feeling quite uncomfortable." In addition, the recipient of the American Music Award stated, "Although it's not life-threatening and won't prove fatal, it is connected to both muscular dystrophy and Parkinson's disease."
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Planning for the Future
After sharing his diagnosis, Alan expressed his intention to continue touring without labeling it as a "farewell" journey. "I never had the desire to embark on a grand retirement tour, only to take a year off and then return," he confided to Hager in September 2021. "I find that somewhat cliché. However, I am not ruling out the possibility of touring. I will make every effort to tour as much as I am able."
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His Not-Farewell Tour
“I've always had great admiration for my musical heroes like George Jones, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, and Charley Pride. They played their music with so much passion and dedication for as long as they possibly could," Alan stated in March 2022 when he announced his Last Call Tour. "I've always harbored the desire to follow in their footsteps, and I plan to continue performing as long as my health permits. I'll make every effort to give my best, so if I'm coming to your town, come and witness my performance."
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Pushing Forward
After rescheduling two tour dates in October 2022, the "Little Bitty" singer reassured his fans that he was making every effort to carry on with his performances. In a statement, he expressed his sincere desire to be present and his aversion to disappointing his loyal fans. He made every possible attempt to ensure that this show could proceed as planned.
