Alan Jackson Pulls Out of CMA Fest

If you were planning to head to the madness that is the CMA Fest in Nashville next week, one of the few bright spots when it comes to the big headliners of the event has officially pulled out. Alan Jackson was scheduled to perform on the main stage at Nissan Stadium on Saturday, June 11th as one of the headliners, but has cancelled due to undisclosed reasons.

Alan Jackson leaves such a gaping hole in the lineup, it’s going to take two acts to replace him. Old Dominion and Brothers Osborne are now scheduled for that slot, but good luck on that satisfying fans of Alan Jackson. If anything, that might cheese them off.

There are plenty of interesting and entertaining events that happen on the periphery of CMA Fest such as Marty Stuart’s annual Late Night Jam which will feature Billy Strings and others this year, as well as some worthy acts on side stages. But Alan Jackson’s involvement was probably a big draw to many fans on the more traditional side of country music to an event that otherwise significantly caters to the more current and mainstream side of country.

Though we don’t know if health is the reason for the cancellation, Alan Jackson confirmed in September of last year that he’s suffering from the neurological disorder Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, also known as CMT. It primarily affects the peripheral nervous system causing balance issues by compromising smaller muscles in the body’s extremities. The good news is that the disease is not life threatening, nor does it affect longevity. But it has affected Jackson’s ability to stand and move around.

Nonetheless, Alan Jackson will be heading out on his “Last Call Tour” this summer, with his first stop in Biloxi, Mississippi on June 24th. Jackson has made sure to clarify that he’s not calling this a “final” tour. But with his ongoing health issues, there is no guarantee how long he will be able to perform.

Alan Jackson released his latest album Where Have You Gone to high praise in 2021.

© 2023 Saving Country Music