Alan Eugene Jackson was born on October 17, 1958 in the small town of Newman, Georgia. He grew up listening to and singing gospel in both church and at home. As a teenager, Jackson performed with a friend at local shows. When he was still in high school, he dropped out to marry his high school sweetheart (they are still married today), Denise. Denise began working as a flight attendant. In the early 1980s, Jackson continuously switched jobs. He was: a car salesman, construction worker, fork lift operator for K-Mart. When he wasn’t working, Jackson performed at local bars and clubs. He was in a band called Dixie Steel. He also worked heavily on his songwriting.
Alan Jackson got lucky when one day his wife, Denise, spotted country star Glen Campbell in the airport while he was waiting for a flight. Denise gave the legend a copy of her husband’s demo tape. In return, Campbell gave Denise his contact information. The Jacksons soon moved to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue Alan’s music career. Jackson did meet with Campbell, but he told Jackson that he should wait one year; work on his music and hone everything together. Jackson did just that. At night, he continued performing and working on his songwriting. During the day, Jackson worked in the mailroom of The Nashville Network. He eventually became a staff writer. In 1998, Jackson became the first artist to be signed to Arista Record’s new Nashville division.
Jackson’s debut album, Here In The Real World, was released in 1990. The album, which went platinum, had four top five hits. The album contained the hit singles: “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” “Wanted,” and “I’d Love You All Over Again.”
In 1991, Jackson released Don’t Rock The Jukebox. The album’s same-titled first single was a huge hit. The album definitely made Jackson a super star. Don’t Rock The Jukebox also had three other number one singles: “Someday,” “Dallas,” and “Love’s Got A Hold on You.” The single, ‘Midnight to Montgomery,” told the story of when Jackson visited legend Hank Williams’ grave. 1991 was a big year for the star. He also co-wrote songs for fellow country star, Randy Travis’s album entitled High Lonesome.
In 1992, Jackson released A Lot About Livin’ (And A Little ‘Bout Love). The album contained the hit singles: “Chattahoochee” and “She’s Got the Rhythm (And I got the Blues).” This was Jackson’s first album to top the country charts. In late 1993, Jackson released Honkey Tonk Christmas.
In 1994, Jackson released Who I Am. This was the singer’s second album to go straight to the top of the country charts. Who I Am spawned four number one singles: “Summertime Blues” (a cover of Eddie Cochran’s classic), “Gone Country” (a satire about big city executives jumping on the country bandwagon), “Livin on Love,” and “I Don’t Even Know Your Name.”
By 1995, Jackson had only been in the country music business for five years. He was so successful, however, he was able to release a greatest hits album. That album, The Greatest Hits Collection, sold over three million copies in one year. The album contained the hit singles, “Tall Tall Trees” (cover of George Jones’ hit song), “I’ll try,” and “Home.” That same year, Jackson was named the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year.
In 1996, Jackson released Everything I Love. The album was his fourth number one album. It spawned five number one singles as well. In 1998, Jackson released High Mileage. The album was his highest charting album on the pop charts; reaching number four. The single, ‘Right on the Money,’ was a huge hit.
In 1999, Jackson released Under the Influence. The album had material from artists such as merle haggard, Charley Pride, Jimmy Buffet, Hank Williams Jr, and Don Williams. In 2000, Jackson released When Somebody Loves You. The album had the hit single, “Where I Come From.” Jackson also did a song with country star George Strait called “Murder on Music Row.”
In 2001, in response to the September 11 attacks, Jackson released “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning).”
In 2002, Jackson released Drive. The album had the number one hit, “Drive (For Daddy Gene).” The track was a tribute to the singer’s deceased father. This was Jackson’s seventh number one country album. It was also his first number one pop album. In 2003, Jackson released Greatest Hits Volume II And Some Other Stuff. The album went to number one on the country charts.
Alan Jackson has been a huge influence to country music. He helped with the 1980s new traditionalist country movement and has now managed to break into the pop charts while still maintaining his country music values. He has written many of his own hits as well as the hits of other artists. He emits a down-to-earth image that the common people like.
Bio written by: bandhunt |
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