Alan Jackson Video Showcase

Alan Eugene Jackson (born 17 October 1958 in Newnan, Georgia) is an American country singer-songwriter.

Influenced by the new traditional country of the 1980s, he was one of the most popular country singers of the 1990s, blending both honky tonk and mainstream country sounds and penning many of his own hits.

His success continued into the 2000s and his music became increasingly counterposed with that of more mainstream country acts that were moving toward a more pop music sound. Jackson was born in Newnan, Georgia with four older sisters. As a youth, Jackson primarily listened to gospel music, and otherwise was not a major music fan. However, a friend of his introduced him to the music of Gene Watson, John Anderson and Hank Williams Jr. Jackson started a band after high school.

After a time, he and his wife of six years, Denise, moved from Newnan to Nashville hoping to pursue music full-time. In Tennessee, Jackson got a job in The Nashville Network's mailroom. Denise got him connected to Glen Campbell, who helped him jumpstart his career. Jackson eventually signed with Arista.

His first album, 1989's Here in the Real World, was a major hit, as was his second (1991) album, Don't Rock the Jukebox. That year he was nominated for a total of six Country Music Association awards (CMAs). His 1992 album, A Lot About Livin' (And a Little 'Bout Love) was a success, spawning five major singles. Also in 1992, Randy Travis charted three singles co-written by Jackson: "Forever Together", "Better Class of Losers", and "I'd Surrender All". In 1994 Jackson left his management company Ten Ten Management, which had overseen his career up to that point, and switched to Gary Overton.

He was nominated for four 1994 CMAs, including Entertainer of the Year.

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Photo author: photo67401 from flickr.com