Alan Jackson Receives ACM Lifetime Achievement Award with Humble Grace and a Song That Stopped Time
On Thursday night at the 2025 ACM Awards in Frisco, Texas, Alan Jackson stepped onto the stage and did what only a true legend can do: silenced a room full of stars with nothing more than a heartfelt song and a lifetime of memories.
The 66-year-old country icon delivered a soul-stirring rendition of his classic ballad “Remember When,” and for those few minutes, time stood still. No fanfare. No flashing lights. Just a man, a guitar, and a voice that has defined generations of country music.
After the final note faded into the hushed room, Reba McEntire walked on stage to present Jackson with the ACM Lifetime Achievement Award—a trophy that will now carry his name into the future of country music.
And true to form, Jackson met the moment with his signature humility and heartfelt honesty.
“Thank everybody so much. It’s quite an honor,” he began.
“A few years ago, one of my fans named their dog after me, and I thought that was something, but man… this is really amazing.”
He reflected on his journey to Nashville—just a small-town dreamer with a sack full of songs—and how far he’s come since those early days.
“I came to Nashville with a paper sack full of songs and a crazy dream. And all these years later, I’m standing here receiving such an honor like this. It’s just mind-blowing.”
His words were simple, sincere, and steeped in gratitude—like one of his ballads come to life. He thanked God, his fellow musicians, and the fans who stood by him through the decades.
“I thank God all the time for all the people that have been part of my life and career that helped me get here and maintain this all this time… But I especially wanna thank my fans all over this country and all over the world who appreciated my music so much.”
But the moment that truly tugged at every heartstring came when Jackson turned his thanks to the woman who’s been beside him since it all began.
“I do want to especially thank one person who’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 and the bad and the happy and the sad… I wouldn’t be here without her.”
Though Jackson has remained largely out of the spotlight in recent years, he’s continued his Last Call: One More for the Road Tour, which began in 2022 and resumed in 2024. The final scheduled show is set for May 17 in Milwaukee, though fans are hopeful more dates will follow.
In 2021, Jackson revealed his battle with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease—a degenerative nerve condition affecting balance and mobility. Though it hasn’t stopped him, it has made touring more difficult. Still, Jackson has vowed to keep performing “as long as the fans show up.”
And on Thursday night, they did more than just show up.
They watched a legend stand tall. They listened. They remembered.
And as Alan Jackson sang “Remember When,” a room full of friends, fans, and fellow artists did exactly that—remembered the love, the life, and the legacy of a true country music icon.
