What happened to Alan Jackson? Singer makes emotional return to ACM Awards amid ongoing Health Battle

Alan Jackson gave a special performance at the American Country Music (ACM) Awards on May 8, 2025. He sang a variation of his 2003 single, Remember When. He was also awarded the first Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award. Many fellow artists and fans were happy to see him on stage again after he shared his diagnosis publicly in 2021.

During an interview with TODAY, Jackson shared that he has been diagnosed with a degenerative nerve condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. He had been dealing with the illness for more than 10 years before he told the news outlet. Jackson said:

"I've been reluctant to talk about this publicly and to my fans, but it's been a while, and it's starting to affect my performance on stage a little bit where I don't feel comfortable... I just wanted the fans and the public to know if they've come to see me in the last few years or if they come to see me in the future if I play anymore, what's going on," the country singer clarified.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the medical definition of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is:

"Charcot (shahr-KOH)-Marie-Tooth disease is a group of inherited disorders that cause nerve damage. This damage is mostly in the arms and legs (peripheral nerves). Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is also called hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy."

Alan Walker's speech after receiving the Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award at the ACM Awards 2025

While accepting the Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award on Thursday, he said:

"Usually one of my fans tells me they named their dog after me, and I thought that was really something... I came to Nashville with a paper sack full of songs and a crazy dream and that all these years later I'm standing here receiving such an honor is mind-blowing."

He also expressed his love for his wife and the people in his life. He also thanked her for her everlasting support. Jackson continued his speech by saying:

"I thank God all the time for all the people that have been a part of my life and career and maintain this all this time... She’s loved me through the good and the bad, the happy and the sad... Influenced me, gave me three beautiful daughters, and she’s helped me keep my feet on the ground all these years. I would not be here without her."

The 66-year-old singer also called his wife, Denise,

"my best friend since I was 17 years old."

Alan Jackson on his current battle with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

Going back to the TODAY interview, Alan Jackson also mentioned that the reason why he opened up about his battle with health issues is because he did not want his fans to think otherwise when they see him having problems with mobility and balance on stage. He explained:

"I don't want them to think I'm drunk on stage because I'm having problems with mobility and balance. I have this neuropathy, neurological disease I inherited from my daddy."

He concluded:

"I just want people to know that's why I look like I do, if they're wondering... I don't want to appear like some whiny celebrity. It's not going to kill me, it's not deadly… It's not fatal — it's just going to disable me eventually."

While there is no cure for the disease at the moment, the singer has assured his fans that it is not "deadly." It can be managed with the help of supportive therapy, and there is a very low chance of it affecting vital muscles and organs.

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Alan Jackson's appearance and performance at the 2025 ACM Awards is an important moment for the singer and the industry as a whole. It is a show of strength, resilience, and vulnerability. Through his emotional speech, Jackson continues to inspire many.

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