Pictures from Google Image Search

Jackson, Alan

Contemporary Musicians | 1999 | | Copyright 1999 Gale, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Alan Jackson

Singer, songwriter

For the Record

Icing On The Cake

Separated, Reconciled, and High Mileage

Selected discography

Sources

Traditions are sometimes forgotten in favor of the new and improved. In the early 1980s, the weeds of a fadthe synthesized pop music of the urban cowboy, had trampled country musics roots. However, in 1989 a new group of country singer/songwriters including a tall, white-hatted Georgia boy, Alan Jackson, tore out those weeds and planted a new tradition. Over the next ten years, Jackson would hit number one on the country music charts over 20 times and win over 45 awards, nearly losing his twenty-year marriage to his high school sweetheart, Denise along the way. However, Jackson remained humble, telling twangthis.com that he was just a guy who sings [and who] hopes Im keeping a little bit of traditional country music alive for the next generation so theyll know what it is.

Alan Eugene Jackson was born on October 17, 1958 in Newnan, Georgia. His father, Eugene, an autoworker, and mother, Ruth, a homemaker married in 1952 and moved into Eugenes dads 12 foot by 12 foot tool shed. As their family expanded to sevenAlan and his sisters Diane, Connie, and twins Cathy and Carolso did the tool shed. While still in high school, Jackson met his future wife, Denise at a Dairy Queen. He married his sweetheart in 1979. Soon after, they moved to Nashville so Jackson could pursue his music career. While Denise worked as a flight attendant, Jackson worked odd jobs including used car salesman and mailman for cable TVs The Nashville Network (TNN). During his lunch breaks Jackson would study what type of country music hit the charts, what fans liked and what they were buying.

In the early 1980s, country music fans seemed to like and buy the bland, pop-ified country music of the urban cowboy while everyone else seemed to be riding bucking broncos in bars, wearing cowboy boots, hats, and tight blue jeans. Country music, according to Country Weekly reporter Gerry Wood, got very plasticized strings everywhere. traditional roots were just getting ground under like plowed ground. As the 1980s urban cowboy fad cooled off, as stated by Ken Kragen on TNNs The Life and Times of the All-star Class of 89, country music started to retrench and almost as a reaction against this popularizing of country music, traditionalists came along. One of these new traditionalists was Alan Jackson. However, it would be Denise, Jacksons wife, not Jackson himself who found his big break. On one of Denises flights, she ran into country superstar Glen Campbell. She told him about Jacksons desire to be a country singer/songwriter and asked Campbell for advice. Campbell gave Denise the name of his companys manager, Marty Gamblin, and told Jackson to call. Soon after, Gamblin hired Jackson to write songs for Glen Campbell Enterprises. Thus, a

For the Record

Born Alan Eugene Jackson on October 17, 1958 in Newnan, GA; son of Eugene (an auto worker) and Ruth Jackson; sisters: Diane, Connie, and twins Cathy and Carol; married Denise, December 15, 1979; children: Mattie (born June 19, 1990), Alexandra (born August 23, 1993) and Dani (born August 28, 1993).

Grew up in a 12 by 12 tool shed; hired by Glen Campbell Enterprises as a songwriter until he signed to Arista Records in 1989; released first album Here in the Real World; 1990, the title song becomes number one hit; became member of the Grand Ole Opry, 1991; success continued over the next 10 years with eight more albums which included a total of over twenty number one hits such as Midnight in Montgomery, Chattahoochee, Little Bitty, and Ill Go on Loving You; opened the Alan Jackson Showcar Cafè in Pigeon Forge, TN, 1998.

Awards: Academy of Country Music (ACM) Top New Male Vocalist, 1990; TNN/Music City News Star of Tomorrow, 1991; ACM Country Music Album of the Year, 1991; Country Music Association (CMA) Music Video of the Year, 1992; CMA Single of the Year, 1993; ASCAP Songwriter of the Year, 1993, 1994, 1998; American Music Awards (AMA) Favorite Album, 1994; CMA Entertainer of the Year, 1995; ACM Male Vocalist of the Year, 1995, 1996, TNN/Music City News Entertainer of the Year, 1996, 1997.

Addresses: HomeNashville, TN. Fan Club P.O. Box 121945, Nashville, TN. Web site ajackson.com.

chance meeting on an airplane had started Jacksons career.

Icing On The Cake

By the late 1980s, country music fans had had enough of the synthesized pop that was passing for country music. A new class of country music superstarsmusicians who sounded a lot like country music legends Hank Williams, Faron Young, Merle Haggard, and George Jonesemerged, led by Randy Travis. In 1989, seeing this return to tradition, record labels signed their own new traditionalists including Clint Black, Travis Tritt, Vince Gill, Garth Brooks, and Alan Jackson. In 1990, along with the birth of his first daughter, Mattie, Jacksons first album, Here in the Real World was released on Arista Records. Here in the Real World produced four number one singles including the title track, Wanted, Chasin That Neon Rainbow, and Id Love You All Over Again. Jackson also won two major awards that year: TNN/Music City News Song of the Year for Here in the Real World, and the Academy of Country Music (ACM) for Top New Male Vocalist. In 1991, Jackson released his second album, Dont Rock the Jukebox. Five songs, four of which Jackson wrote or co-wrote, topped the country music charts: Someday, Dallas, Loves Got a Hold on You, Midnight in Montgomery, and the title track. In two of these number one hits, Jackson paid respect to his musical inspirationsHank Williams and George Jones. Midnight in Montgomery honors the legendary country singer/songwriter Williams. In Dont Rock the Jukebox, Jackson wrote what Country Music Cultures Curtis W. Ellison called, a homage to George Jonesanother Hank Williams admirerand to honky tonk music, a statement against rock and roll in favor of country music. Jackson won four awards that year including TNN/Music City News Star of Tomorrow and Album of the Year, and ACMs Country Music Single and Album of the Year.

In 1992, Jacksons success continued with two new albums: Honky Tonk Christmas and A Lot Bout Livin (and a Little Bout Love), the latter producing five number one hit singles including Chattahoochee. Jackson not only won five awards that year including CMA Music Video of the Year, ASCAP Song of the Year, and TNN/Music City News Male Artist, Single, and Album of the Year, but also welcomed another baby daughter, Alexandra.

In 1994, Jacksons fifth album, Who I Am was released. This album, according to Entertainment Weekly music reviewer Alanna Nash, seemed to show him to be more emotionally vulnerable. With hits like Lets Get Back to Me and You and Job Description, Nash believed that seldom has a star made his life away from home sound so lonely. Thus, for the first time, Jackson seemed to be feeling the pressures of success. Jackson told People magazine that [My career] is like a movie or something [and my home] is more like the real world for me, in the woods with my family. He further commented that [he was] realizing that all those things that you wanted so bad arent gonna make you happy or keep you happy. In the same vein, Jackson told People that he realized that my life is really like a fairy tale [and] you gotta be happy with yourself and with your spouse and with your life. All the rest is just icing on the cake. Jackson won 10 awards in 1994 including ASCAP Song and Songwriter of the Year as well as ACM Top Male Vocalist and American Music Awards Favorite Album and Single of the Year.

Separated, Reconciled, and High Mileage

Throughout the mid-to-late 1990s, Jacksons star continued to burn brightly. In 1995, Jackson released his Greatest Hits album and won eight major awards including CMA Entertainer of the Year. In 1996 Jackson released his seventh album, Everything I Love, his first album of all new material in three years. This album included the number one single Little Bitty, written by songwriting great Tom T. Hall, which told people to enjoy life because it goes on only for a little bitty while. Speaking on his approach to music, Jackson told twangthis.com that I just try to have fun with it and pick songs and write songs that I like. I dont really worry about whats going to happen to it commercially. Country music fans loved what Jackson liked and awarded him TNN/Music City News Entertainer of the Year in 1996 and 1997. Dani, Jacksons third daughter was also born in 1997. Thus, Jacksons music career and home life seemed to be on a solid ground, however, what Jackson loved mosthis familywas crumbling.

In February 1998, USA Today announced that Jackson and Denise had separated. Jackson told USA Todays Brian Mansfield that what was happening was, I couldnt be happy. I kept trying to let everything else make me happy. Maybe thats why Im successful. I worked so hard to get all this stuff to make me happy. Jackson continued, Then that didnt do it. It actually got worse. This career added other problems to it. I isolated myself more. After months of therapy, Jackson and Denise reconciled and renewed their wedding vows on December 15, theirnineteenth wedding anniversary. Denise told Life that I see that separation as a gift. It forced us to put our attention back on our relationship. Jackson told Life that I realize what makes you happy: Its having someone to love and someone who loves you.

In September 1998, Jackson released his eighth album, High Mileage. Life called this album, an ode to marriage while country.com stated that the album is Jacksons take on lifes latest chapter both the home runs and the curve balls as it came rushing to him. High Mileages first single, Ill Go On Loving You, written by Kieran Kane, is sure to set tongues wagging, Mansfield said, because, [it] is a markedly different sound for Jackson [who] recites much of the songs intimate lyrics in which the singer watches his lover step out of her dress, yet speaks of a love that will last after the passing pleasures of the flesh. After 10 years in country music, which Chicago Sun-Times reporter Dave Hoekstra described as, like a new snakeskin boot. You have to grow into it, Jackson had not only grown a successful music career that helped revive traditional country music, but had grown into a happy man, as well. As he told People, You can have everything, but if you aint got nobody to enjoy it with, it aint no fun.

Selected discography

Here in the Real World, Arista Records, 1990.

Dont Rock the Jukebox, Arista Records, 1991.

Honky Tonk Christmas, Arista Records, 1992.

A Lot Bout Livin (and a Little Bout Love), Arista Records, 1992.

Who I Am, Arista Records, 1994.

Greatest Hits, Arista Records, 1995.

Everything I Love, Arista Records, 1996.

High Mileage, Arista Records, 1998.

Sources

Books

Ellison, Curtis, Country Music Culture: From Hard Times to Heaven, University Press Of Mississippi, 1995.

Periodicals

Chicago Sun-Times, September 21, 1998.

Entertainment Weekly, July 7, 1998.

Good Housekeeping, June 1995.

Life, February 1999.

People, Special Issue, 1994.

USA Today, February 20, 1998; September 1, 1998.

Online

twangthis.com

country.com

geocities.com

ajackson.com

Additional information provided by The Life and Times of the All-Star Class of 89, a TNN special program broadcast January 25, 1999, and from liner notes from Alan Jacksons albums.

Ann M. Schwalboski

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

Schwalboski, Ann M.. "Jackson, Alan." Contemporary Musicians. Gale Research Inc. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 14 Nov. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

Schwalboski, Ann M.. "Jackson, Alan." Contemporary Musicians. Gale Research Inc. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (November 14, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3494300041.html

Schwalboski, Ann M.. "Jackson, Alan." Contemporary Musicians. Gale Research Inc. 1999. Retrieved November 14, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3494300041.html

Learn more about citation styles

Related newspaper, magazine, and trade journal articles from HighBeam Research

(Including press releases, facts, information, and biographies)

Thrills, chills and spills: what keeps two daredevils safe on the slopes? World-class skills and an expert grasp of Physics. (Physical science: Newton's laws of motion).
Magazine article from: Science World; 1/10/2003; ; 700+ words ; ...because she takes full advantage of Newton's third law of motion: When two objects act on each...the direction of her motion. Newton's first law of motion describes...outside force acting on the skis, Newton's first law of motion turned...
Snowboard superstar. (Physical Science: Newton's Law of Motion).(Leslee Olson)
Magazine article from: Science World; 1/21/2002; 700+ words ; ...Sir Isaac Newton. The great...Newton's Laws of Motion help explain...Newton's First Law of Motion...According to Newton's Third Law, when Olson...where the First Law of Motion kicks back...coach. (1) Newton's First Law...
The art of physics: using cartooning to illustrate Newton's laws of motion.
Magazine article from: The Science Teacher; 12/1/2008; ; 700+ words ; ...and major ideas that govern Newton's laws of motion. To make learning these concepts...activity: Cartoonin' With Newton. Objectives: To reinforce concepts associated with Newton's three laws of motion and to demonstrate through...
Applying Newton's apple to elementary physical education an interdisciplinary approach; If knowledgeable movers are better movers, learning the laws of motion should improve children's movement skills.
Magazine article from: JOPERD--The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance; 10/1/2008; ; 700+ words ; ...principles that govern motion on planet Earth. Professionals...basic principles known as Newton's laws of motion...will focus on the three laws of motion first published...in 1687. Newton's laws underlie movement, and...predictability. Examining these laws in ...
Newton's guide to putt-putt: discover how physics can help you sink golf putts like a professional.(PHYSICAL: FORCES AND MOTION)
Magazine article from: Science World; 5/9/2005; ; 700+ words ; ...from physicist Sir Isaac Newton and learn how to sink...According to Newton's second law of motion, force equals mass multiplied...or Newton's third law of motion], the obstacle...Learn about Newton's laws of motion at: www.physics...According to ...
Morgan Reynolds Publishing.(Tycho Brahe: Mapping The Heavens)(Nicholas Copernicus And The Founding Of Modern Astronomy)(Johannes Kepler: Discovering The Laws Of Celestial Motion)(Galileo Galilei And The Science Of Motion)(Isaac Newton: Organizing The Universe)(Louis Pasteur And The Founding Of Microbiology )(Brief Article)
Magazine article from: Children's Bookwatch; 1/1/2005; 700+ words ; ...Modern Astronomy (1883846994); Johannes Kepler: Discovering The Laws Of Celestial Motion (1883846986); Galileo Galilei And The Science Of Motion (1931798001); Isaac Newton: Organizing The Universe (1931-79801X); Louis Pasteur And The...
NEWTON'S LAWS OF MOTION IN FULL EFFECT AT SOUTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY'S EXXONMOBILE BERNARD HARRIS SCIENCE CAMP
News Wire article from: US Fed News Service, Including US State News; 7/29/2008; 486 words ; Southwestern Oklahoma State University issued the following news release: As described in Newton's laws of motion, the ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp, hosted July 13-25 by Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford...
Preston eggs on students' interest in learning: Middle schoolers test Newton?s Laws of Motion.
Newspaper article from: Dominion Post (Morgantown, WV); 2/16/2006; 621 words ; Byline: Kathy Plum Feb. 16--TUNNELTON -- When South Preston Middle School students studied Newton's Laws of Motion, it was a bust for some. But sometimes eggs have to be cracked in the interest of science. Wednesday, eighth...
Coached by Newton: a record-setting pitcher says applying the taws of motion yields the best results.
Magazine article from: Mechanical Engineering-CIME; 4/1/2009; ; 700+ words ; ...apparent loss of range in motion, he wanted to find out...pitchers--Sir Isaac Newton. Newton's three laws of motion, as first...motion of the body. These laws govern the relationships...and applying the three laws of motion correctly...LEGAL MATTERS The First ...
Force and motion; an illlustrated guide to Newton's laws.(Brief article)(Book review)
Magazine article from: SciTech Book News; 9/1/2009; 471 words ; 9780801891601 Force and motion; an illlustrated guide to Newton's laws. Zimba, Jason. Johns...approach to demonstrate Newton's three laws of motion so that students...and drawings to break each law into relatively simple terms...

Related entries from encyclopedias, dictionaries, and thesauruses

Newton's laws of motion
Book article from: A Dictionary of Astronomy Newton's laws of motion Three laws published in 1687 by I. Newton concerning the motion of bodies:1.A body continues in a state of uniform rest or motion unless acted upon by an external force.2.The acceleration produced when a force...
Sir Isaac Newton
Book article from: The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Sir Isaac Newton 1642-1727, English...time he discovered the law of universal gravitation...the earth and of the motions of planets, comets...dynamics and includes Newton's three famous laws of motion ; the second part to...planetary motion. Although Newton used the ...
Newton, Sir Isaac (1642-1727)
Book article from: World of Earth Science Newton, Sir Isaac (1642...Isaac Newton published a law of universal gravitation...Newton articulated a law of universal gravitation...mathematically elegant law, along with Newton's laws of motion, became the guiding...serves to account for the motions of the ...
Newton, Sir Isaac
Book article from: Mathematics ...friend Edmund Halley encouraged Newton to write and publish (at Halley...which includes the formulation of Newton's three laws of motion and his Universal Theory of Gravitation...as it is widely known, became Newton's masterpiece, and it made...
Newton, Isaac
Book article from: Space Sciences Newton, Isaac British Physicist...include discovering the law of gravity, designing...volume spelled out the law of gravity, the laws of motion, and the universality...popular use. Newton's law of gravity and his laws...

Find thousands of answers for hundreds of subjects at Smart QandA .

All answers verified by trusted sources at Encyclopedia.com

Try Smart QandA now!

For students and teachers!

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including:

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including: