Introduction:
Alan Jackson Retires from Touring Amid Health Battle with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease
After more than four decades on the road, country music legend Alan Jackson has announced his retirement from touring, citing his ongoing battle with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease—a hereditary nerve condition that affects mobility and balance.
The 66-year-old icon shared the emotional news with a sold-out crowd during his May 17 concert in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
“Y’all may have heard that I’m kinda winding down. In fact, this is my last road show,” Jackson told fans, according to a statement on his official website.
In video footage posted to his Instagram, Jackson expressed heartfelt gratitude:
“This is the last one out on the road for me, and I’m so blessed. Thank you all so much for supporting my music. I’m living the American dream for sure.”
While this marked his final tour performance, Jackson revealed that he plans to close out his career with a special farewell show in Nashville, Tennessee—where it all began.
“We’re planning on doing a big finale where it all started, and that’s in Nashville, Tennessee, Music City. So I’ve got to do my last one there,” he said.
A Personal Health Journey
Jackson first publicly spoke about his condition in 2021 during an interview with TODAY’s Jenna Bush Hager. He revealed that he had been diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a degenerative neurological disorder that he inherited from his father.
“I have this neuropathy and neurological disease… It’s genetic, and there’s no cure for it,” he said. “It’s been affecting me for years. I know I’m stumbling around on stage. I’m having trouble balancing, even in front of the microphone, and I just feel very uncomfortable.”
Although the disease is not life-threatening, it is progressive and can significantly impact mobility. Jackson described it as related to muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s disease.
At the time, Jackson said he had no interest in doing a dramatic retirement tour:
“I never wanted to do the big retirement tour like people do, then take a year off and come back. I think that’s kinda cheesy.” He added, “I’m not saying I won’t be able to tour. I’ll try to do as much as I can.”
Making a Difference
Throughout his final tour, Jackson directed a portion of every ticket sale to the CMT Research Foundation, raising more than $2.25 million through donations, matching contributions, and related efforts.
“It’s been a long, sweet ride. It started 40 years ago this September,” he told the crowd during his farewell concert.
In a video shared on his social media in May 2024, Jackson explained that his worsening condition had made performing increasingly difficult.
“I think it’s just getting time to start thinking about hanging it up full-time,” he said. “Most of my fans know I have a degenerative health condition that affects my legs and arms and mobility… and it’s getting worse. I just want to think about maybe calling it quits before I’m unable to do the job like I want to.”
What is Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease?
According to the Mayo Clinic, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is a group of inherited disorders that cause nerve damage, particularly in the arms and legs. Also known as hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, the disease often leads to smaller, weaker muscles, loss of sensation, and coordination problems.
Common symptoms include:
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Weakness in legs, ankles, and feet
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High foot arches and curled toes (hammertoes)
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Muscle atrophy in legs and feet
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Frequent tripping or falling
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Difficulty lifting the foot at the ankle (foot drop)
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Reduced sensation in the lower limbs
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An unsteady or exaggerated walking style
Symptoms typically emerge in adolescence or early adulthood, but they can also appear later in life.