Alan Jackson Explains Delay in Music, Gets Praise from Loretta Lynn
Alan Jackson recently announced his upcoming 21-song album Where Have You Gone to be released on May 14th after a nearly six year delay in new music. Over that period, many of Alan Jackson’s fans were wondering why the usually prolific and well-ordered country star was taking so long for his next project. It turns out he has a good explanation.
A series of tragedies in Jackson’s life from 2017 to 2018 had the songwriter and performer not in the right frame of mind to record new music, and he “shelved” the album he was working on at the time. “I didn’t really feel like making music for a couple years,” he explains.
Alan Jackson’s mother Ruth Musick Jackson died on January 7th, 2017 at the age of 86 in her home in Newnan, Georgia. Alan was close to his mother, and she had become the subject and inspiration for numerous of his songs. She passed away in the same home converted from a tool shed where Alan was born and raised, and where his mother lived for some 70 years.
Then Alan Jackson’s son-in-law Ben Selecman died on September 12th, 2018 after suffering severe injuries during a boating accident. The Assistant District Attorney for Davidson County, Tennessee was 28-years-old, and was married to Alan’s oldest daughter Mattie the year previous.
These tragedies ultimately resulted in the inspiration for numerous new Alan Jackson songs, including “Where Her Heart Has Always Been” written for his mother’s funeral, and not one, but two songs written for the weddings of his daughters (Jackson has three of them)—“You’ll Always Be My Baby” and “I Do.”
But perhaps the biggest inspiration behind the new album Where Have You Gone is country music itself.
“Merle and George and Hank,” Jackson says succinctly. “A lot of young people liked that music when I was growing up, but it felt like nobody was making it. Somebody had to go to Nashville to make that kind of country. Randy [Travis] did and was great. But real country music is gone. It feels like 1985 again, and somebody has to bring it back. Because it’s not just 50-year-old people, it’s 20- and 25-year-olds. They have a real ear for country music, because it is real and genuine. They know the difference, and you can’t fake those things.”
There are a lot of young people making real country music. Real country music is not gone. Unfortunately though, it is gone from the radio, from CMT and television, and from the country awards shows to where you have to seek it out to find it, and the powers that be don’t make that very easy. But it’s still out there, and now we have Alan Jackson back again offering more of it up as well.
Though all we’ve been allowed to hear so far is four songs of the upcoming 21-song album, fellow country legend Loretta Lynn has apparently heard the entire thing, saying recently, “Just when I thought country music was near gone, Alan Jackson brings it back to life! What an album, he’s given us. Y’all go listen to it right now. Alan, thank you honey for keeping it country!”
Alan Jackson’s Where Have You Gone is now available for pre-order.
Marc
April 8, 2021 @ 12:09 pm
Not sure if we will hear Alan’s new music on the radio but I’m excited about this either way. The past couple weeks Wesley Dennis, Cory Keefe and Ken Mellons have released new music and this to me is some of Ken’s best music. It’s been a pretty good start to the year for traditional country music.
Hey Arnold
April 8, 2021 @ 12:23 pm
Alan is set to perform at the ACMs in two weeks.
Could this be a “Murder on MusicRow” part 2 event?!!
Brenda clark
April 9, 2021 @ 9:04 am
Brenda
Karen Oeffling
April 8, 2021 @ 1:55 pm
Gosh, this new album of Jackson’s is going to wake up country. I’m so lonesome for it just like the singers themselves that are gone. But we were the lucky ones to enjoy it all. I’m so lonesome I could cry is really here.
Elizabeth B.Greene
April 8, 2021 @ 2:05 pm
Love Alan’s Music an him for a very long time
Linda
April 8, 2021 @ 3:07 pm
We love Alan and real country music. This is great! Keep the Jackson family in thoughts and prayers. Be blessed!
BeaJae
April 8, 2021 @ 3:23 pm
Alan, I have been a fan since day one.
I knew about your dear mother and the tragedy of your daughter’s husband. Prayers for you all. God Bless you and your wife and family.
I have missed hearing your music and was hoping that one day, you would come back to all your fans.
Keep on keeping on, and show the world that you are one of the best real country music and we still loves you.
Jay
April 11, 2021 @ 8:53 am
I’m confused. Are you under the impression that Alan Jackson is reading this?
liza
April 13, 2021 @ 12:29 pm
He does read it.
Jay
April 13, 2021 @ 6:58 pm
Did the voices in your head tell you that?
Di Harris
April 8, 2021 @ 3:57 pm
“There are a lot of young people making real country music. Real country music is not gone. Unfortunately though, it is gone from the radio, from CMT and television, and from the country awards shows to where you have to seek it out to find it, and the powers that be don’t make that very easy.”
But guess who does …
Here, we get Bobby Dove, Rob Leines, Corb, Sierra Ferrell, Kermit, & on & on & on
: D
albert
April 8, 2021 @ 4:29 pm
melissa carper , paul bogart , tristan marez, lauren mascetti , daren and brooke alderidge , irene kelly …and on and on and on ….
Bill Wilson
April 8, 2021 @ 5:36 pm
Its so good that alan jackson is back with new music. A lot of great new country music has recently been released and is in the pipeline. You just have to search and seek it out as country radio mostly ignores it.
NPC
April 8, 2021 @ 5:58 pm
Trigger, did you get to speak with Alan directly? The Google machine doesn’t show any other sources for these quote; if so, way to go!!
Hey Arnold
April 8, 2021 @ 6:27 pm
Newsflash, Alan Jackson has been Trigger all along 😉
Trigger
April 8, 2021 @ 7:02 pm
No, I didn’t. But I actually did hunt down the FULL press release for his new album where additional info and quotes were included, including some nobody else has published yet.
The rollout of the album has been a little weird. I was following last Thursday as new tracks were populating in different countries, and hunted down the info on the album and published it as soon as the new tracks went live. Then a smaller version of the press release went out Friday that had a bit more information and quotes, and I posted about that on Sunday. Then I was able to find more info and stuff by finally getting the full press release. That’s why there’s been three stories about this, which I’d concur is a little excessive. But it’s all good info, so I wanted to get it out to the public.
Hey Arnold
April 8, 2021 @ 7:17 pm
The promotion on these new albums have been short in time span.
Most announce the album like 6 weeks in advance now (Alan, Blake, Justin Moore as quick examples)
However, someone like Eric Church, man it feels like he’s been promoting it for 6 months. The excitement is completely gone for me with his triple album.
Personally, I like a quick promotional run & then getting the complete album sooner than later. Maybe it’s due to covid – maybe it’s just the new marketing strategy in Nashville. I like it.
Trigger
April 8, 2021 @ 7:57 pm
I agree. Six weeks at most. Release one lead single, and let’s go.
Nancy Thornburg
April 9, 2021 @ 5:26 am
Country music will never be gone as long as we have Jackson, Straight, Censey, Lorreta, Reba, and many others,LukeCombs, country too.
NPC
April 9, 2021 @ 12:39 pm
Thank you for going to the extra effort to bring new information and meaningful articles on it! Without you, nobody would know all of this about the album; the establishment media certainly doesn’t care to report it.
Robert W Gibson
April 8, 2021 @ 7:23 pm
Alan Jackson is one of Country Music’s Greatest Talents of All Time. Would LOVE to see him perform a duet with Emmylou Harris. Both are Generational performers!
robbushblog
April 8, 2021 @ 8:01 pm
Ken Mellons? Holy cow! I haven’t heard anything of him since “Jukebox Junkie”.
Jamie
April 8, 2021 @ 8:35 pm
Those first two albums he put out on Epic during the mid 90’s were pretty solid, imo. I especially loved his ballads, particularly “I Can Bring Her Back,” “The Pleasure’s All Mine,” and “Learnin’ To Live Without You” from the first album. His voice reminds me of a combination of John Anderson, Vern Gosdin, and Keith Whitley.
robbushblog
April 8, 2021 @ 9:54 pm
Yeah, he had a great honky tonk singing voice.
Rickie Jon Connors
April 8, 2021 @ 11:15 pm
Is A-Jacks still on a major label? Or is this being released by Thirty Tigers or similar, a la Clint Black and some of the other more ‘distinguished’ acts?
Trigger
April 8, 2021 @ 11:42 pm
Still on Arista Nashville.
EDIT: He’s actually on EMI Nashville now.
Alan Jackson can still sell records. I suspect this will debut at #1.
Rickie Jon Connors
April 8, 2021 @ 11:46 pm
Agreed. I just wondered if label chicanery had also contributed to the long delay.
Acca Dacca
April 11, 2021 @ 12:25 pm
Alan’s been on EMI/Capitol since Thirty Miles West in 2012. Pretty sure Arista dropped him after 2010’s Freight Train didn’t produce any big singles, but maybe I’m misremembering. Still a major label, though.
Trigger
April 11, 2021 @ 12:28 pm
No, you’re right, I’m wrong. And a shift from Sony to Universal, so it’s worth noting. But yes, still a major label.
Hey Arnold
April 9, 2021 @ 12:30 am
I believe George Strait, Alan Jackson, Reba, Vince Gill, & Randy Travis are the legacy acts still on a major Nashville label.
UMG Nashville homes many of these artists
Hey Arnold
April 9, 2021 @ 12:36 am
Warner Music Label houses Randy Travis, which is quite shocking.
UMG Nash houses the rest that I mentioned above ^^
(Honestly Trig, this would be a fascinating article idea. I don’t think it’s common knowledge that some legacy acts are still part of the Nashville scene even though their radio careers are over)
Luckyoldsun
April 10, 2021 @ 7:27 pm
Willie Nelson is still releasing albums on a major label.
Randy Travis is not.
Hey Arnold
April 11, 2021 @ 2:31 pm
I’m pretty sure Randy Travis is still with UMG Nashville. He’s listed on their website. They can still release greatest hits albums of his. Plus last year they did release a few unreleased songs – one was even sent to radio!
Hey Arnold
April 11, 2021 @ 4:40 pm
**Randy is still with Warner , not UMG. My bad
Shannon Frensemeier
April 8, 2021 @ 11:33 pm
Always have Loved your music Alan Jackson Ifeel the loss of your mother in my ❤I lost my moma a few years ago somehow it seems a mother takes a peace of her heart ❤with her and we are left with a empty space in our so sorry for your loss of your son in law and prayers for you and your beautiful wife and Beautiful daughters it has to be a tuff thing for your daughter to loose her husband at such a early ageI pray for you all and we know God is in control I Love all your gospels songs 🎵too keep on singing because your arexa sweet and kind man and your music is beautiful your voice is awesome and the songs really touch my heart I just listen to your new release When the whiskey comes around its beautiful song and I thought of my moma my ❤ breaks for her dailey but I know we all we stroll over Heaven with all our Loved ones some sweet day and we will hold them and never let go I have never been to one of your concerts but I hope I can some day before God takes me home .God bless you and all your family 🙏🙏🙏💙🌹😊
Ruby
April 9, 2021 @ 12:46 am
Hood you Ajax much loved fan
Robin S Sanders
April 9, 2021 @ 4:29 am
I love Alan Jackson. I am so glad he is coming back to country music. Thoughts and prayers are with the Jackson family.
Christopher Bubb
April 9, 2021 @ 11:27 am
The queen has spoken! (And Maren Morris, that would not be you.)
At this point, Alan Jackson could release a recording of himself sneezing and it would be more country than probably 85% of the Hot Country Songs chart combined.
Margaret
April 9, 2021 @ 11:31 am
I love Alan Jackson and I’m delighted he has made another album & I know it will be proper country music. It is well overdue. Keep it country Alan
Luckyoldsun
April 10, 2021 @ 7:29 pm
Clint Black and Travis Tritt think Alan Jackson is just killing it as far as releasing new albums: He’s just a speed demon!
Rachel Porias, Ph.D.
April 13, 2021 @ 10:48 pm
I have always loved Alan Jackson”s music and I am crazy about the new album and record cover.
I love to look at pictures of him and his beautiful -inside and out- Nisey- Her books are outstanding.
I would like to hear EmmyLou Harris and Alan doing a duet…that would be the best duet ever.
She has a dog rescue and Alan loves dogs…like I do.
I especially love Way Down in My Whiskey…I can feel the pain in his voice. What a wonderful man!
Can’t wait to get the new album…I hope I can get it in vinyl…
Warmly, Rachel Porias
Double J
April 11, 2021 @ 8:38 am
This is awesome! Gotta love that Pedal steel guitar playing, so beautiful and tasteful. I wonder if it’s Paul Franklin Jr. playing the pedal steel on this new album. That guy is a living legend.
James
April 14, 2021 @ 6:17 am
There are artists out there that are still making real country music it just don’t get played like others have commented. I don’t listen to the stuff that the station are playing. I listen to a lot of Gene Watson it’s traditional country music. Gene still sings in the same octave that he has since his beginning. I am told thats hard to happen after so many years. I can’t wait to hear Alan’s new Cd.