Alan Jackson Leaves Countless Country Fans in Tears with “Remember When” at the ACM Awards

Tonight (May 8), the Academy of Country Music is celebrating 60 years of the ACM Awards. The award show could go on for decades. However, Alan Jackson’s career won’t last much longer. He’ll play his final concert later this month. Then, he plans to retire from touring due to health issues. Tonight, though, he reminded everyone why he is one of the most celebrated singer/songwriters in modern country music with a touching rendition of “Remember When.”

Everyone in the Ford Center was on their feet before Jackson sang the first note. The country traditionalist chose to forgo over-the-top stage production. Instead, the “Remember When” video played on the screen behind him as soft blue bulbs lit the stage. Jackson fought back tears as he savored the last note of the song, leaving everyone else in the same state.

Since releasing his debut single, “Blue Blooded Woman” in 1989, Jackson has notched 36 No. 1 singles on the Billboard country charts. He could have picked any one of those to perform during what may be his final ACM Awards appearance. However, he chose to leave the entire audience in tears with his 2003 chart topper “Remember When.”

Alan Jackson Strikes a Sentimental Chord at the ACM Awards

The song fit tonight’s theme like a glove. The ACM is celebrating its 60-year milestone and started the show with a look back at Song of the Year winners from decades past. Additionally, Jackson will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award during tonight’s broadcast. It’s an award celebrating all he has done for country music over the last three decades. “Remember When” sees the Georgia native looking back on his long and loving relationship with his wife, Denise, and their children.

He wrote the song and released it in October 2003 as the second and final single from Greatest Hits Volume II. The track went to the top of the chart and stayed there for two weeks. Since then, it has joined songs like “Chattahoochee” and “Don’t Rock the Jukebox” among Jackson’s most popular songs.

An Emotional Alan Jackson Accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award Named for Him at the ACM Awards

Alan Jackson is among the most successful artists in the history of country music. More than that, with 50 top 10 hits and 35 No. 1 singles under his belt, he’s among the most successful singer/songwriters in the world. He has sold almost 60 million albums and is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. At tonight’s (May 8) ACM Awards, he added another win to his long list of accolades. After a stunning performance, he accepted the first-ever Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award.

Few active artists in country music are more deserving of a Lifetime Achievement Award or having one named after them. He was a major force in bringing traditional country music back to the airwaves in the 1990s. More than that, songs like “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” “Chattahoochee,” and “Tall, Tall Trees” were the soundtrack of a decade and the inspiration for a generation of artists.

The timing of the award is poignant. Tonight was likely the last time fans will see Jackson perform at the ACM Awards. After a long battle with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, he is retiring from touring later this month. With less than two weeks left before he plays his final show, tonight was the perfect night for the “Midnight in Montgomery” singer to get his flowers.

Alan Jackson Accepts the Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award

After a stirring performance of his hit song “Remember When,” Alan Jackson accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award named for him.

“I came to Nashville with a paper sack full of songs and a crazy dream. All these years later, I’m standing here receiving such an honor like this. It’s just mind-blowing,” he said to a round of applause. “I thank God all the time for all the people who have been part of my life and career that helped me get here and maintain this all this time,” he added.

Jackson said there were too many people who helped him get to where he is today to thank before showing his gratitude to his fans. He did, however, take time to thank the most important person on his team. “I especially want to want to thank one person that’s been my best friend since I was 17 years old. That’s my wife Denise out there,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “She’s loved me through the good, the bad, the happy, the sad. She’s influenced me, given me three beautiful daughters, and helped me keep my feet on the ground all these years,” he added. “I wouldn’t be here without her. There’s not much else I can say that’s better than that,” he concluded before thanking the ACM for honoring him with the award.

Featured Image by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Grand Ole Opry