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Introduction
Country music icon Alan Jackson is saying goodbye to his remarkable decades-long career with his aptly named “Last Call: One More For The Road” tour. Despite his ongoing battle with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a neurological condition affecting his mobility, the beloved singer has bravely returned to performing after taking a necessary health hiatus. For devoted fans who’ve followed his journey through countless hits, time is running short to experience his distinctive voice and heartfelt performances live, as the final concert is scheduled for May 17 in Milwaukee.
At a recent performance at Orlando’s Kia Center, audiences witnessed a particularly moving moment that showcased the emotional weight of this farewell journey. While performing “Drive,” one of his most personal and beloved songs, Jackson’s usual composure briefly gave way to raw emotion.
Before beginning the song, he shared with the audience: “This is a song I wrote quite a few years ago when my daddy passed away. I wanted to write a song for him; I didn’t want to write some old crying-dying typical kind of thing, you know? When I started thinking about growing up, all I ever wanted to do was drive something. He taught me all about that. That’s what this song is about.”
As the song approached its final chorus, the country music legend momentarily paused, visibly overcome with feeling. This poignant silence seemed to capture something beyond just memories of his father—it reflected the bittersweet reality of his own closing chapter on stage. Like anyone saying goodbye to something that has defined their life, Jackson appears to be savoring every moment under the spotlight while simultaneously processing the emotions that come with knowing these performances are among his last.