Alan Jackson Celebrated 20th Anniversary With a Free Concert

Posted by Sarah Norton on 06/12/2009
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Nearly 1,000 “Jacksonphiles,” or loyal Alan Jackson fans, showed up at Nashville’s Cadillac Ranch on Wednesday, June 10, for an up-close and personal concert. The show, “Keepin’ it Country--20 Years” was an anniversary tribute program, marking Jackson’s two decade anniversary with his label, Arista Nashville.

Jackson loyalists got in free to the concert if they lined up in time in front of Cadillac Ranch on Lower Broadway in downtown Nashville. The line started early, and according to CMT.com, it almost rivaled Jackson’s longest line dance. The event added to already large crowds and festive atmosphere in Nashville as country fans were arriving for the CMA Music Festival.

The people on hand to celebrate Jackson’s accomplishments included Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and CMA CEO Tammy Genovese, who brought along Jackson’s labelmate Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn. After a video of career highlights and a presentation of a collage commemorating Jackson’s success, Brooks recalled some of his history with Jackson.

When Brooks & Dunn were first starting out, "[Arista Records head] Tim DuBois told me and Ronnie Dunn that he already had a boy singer [Jackson]," Brooks said, adding that DuBois' advice was for Brooks and Dunn to form a duo to avoid competing. "Alan keeps that music right on the line," Brooks said. "He is Country Music."

After the remarks, Jackson and his band the Strayhorns got on stage and didn’t stop performing for an hour and 42 minutes. He played everything from his first hit, “Here in the Real World,” to “Drive” to his most recent, “Good Time.” The Country star closed the show with a rocking version of “Chattahoochee.”

As usual, Jackson played more than he spoke during the concert. But he did take the time to thank his fans and say "this is too much attention for this ol' country boy."