It’s About Time For a New Music from Alan Jackson
Not that anyone could ever criticize Alan Jackson for slacking on the job, and even if he never sings another note in the studio henceforth his contributions to the country music canon could stand up to just about anyone’s. But it feels like we are well past due for new music from the Country Music Hall of Famer, and it’s starting to become curious why we haven’t heard about anything new coming down the pike.
We’re currently in the longest gulf between studio releases from Alan Jackson in his 30+ year career. Since releasing his first major record via Arista Nashville in 1990, there’s never been more than a two year gap in between studio albums from Alan. But his last album Angels & Alcohol was released four years ago this July, and there’s no credible hints or allegation of anything new on the way in the near future.
Making the situation a bit more strange is the fact that Alan Jackson released a new single from his yet-to-be-announced upcoming record a year-and-a-half ago called “The Older I Get.” Written by Adam Wright, Hailey Whitters and Sarah Turner, the song was released three days after Jackson’s 59th birthday, and coincided with his official induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in October of 2017. A video for the song was released a month later, and though it was never promoted as an official single to radio, “The Older I Get” was presented as the first song from a new record “coming soon,” with some rumors pegging the release for the summer of 2018.
There are a couple of probable and practical explanations of why we might be experiencing a delay in new Alan Jackson music. There’s been some drama in the last year in his personal life that potentially could have contributed to the delay, including canceling numerous tour dates due to an illness, and the death of his son-in-law Ben Selecman at the age of 28 during a boating accident in September of 2018.
But it’s also not uncommon for labels to give unnecessary delays to the release of new music, especially from older artists. Jackson is currently singed to EMI Nashville in partnership with his own company, ACR Records. One factor making this delay feel so pronounced is the fact that Alan Jackson’s contemporaries such as George Strait, Brooks & Dunn, and Reba McEntire are out there making big splashes with new records. New music from Alan Jackson could really help keep the momentum going of this traditional country resurgence we’re currently experiencing, and like we’ve seen with George Strait’s current single “Every Little Honky Tonk Bar,” there may even be some space on radio for someone like Jackson if the label plays its cards right.
Alan Jackson is currently on a tour throughout 2019, and has been seeding his opening slots with cool up-and-coming artists from the Lower Broadway honky tonk scene in Nashville. The dates are pretty well spaced out though, so this wouldn’t preclude Alan from recording new music, if he didn’t have new music already in the can, and is just waiting for a release date from. Either way, hopefully we hear something soon.
Jman Burnett
April 20, 2019 @ 9:07 am
Indeed. It worries me that something’s happening to AJ. Usually he doesn’t take too long to release music.
By the way, his debut came out in 1989.
Trigger
April 20, 2019 @ 9:20 am
I have “Here in the Real World” coming out in February of 1990. He’s considered part of the “Class of ’89,” but that’s always been more of a rough timeline. He released an independent record in 1987 as well.
GrantH
April 20, 2019 @ 9:31 am
Album recorded and first single released in ’89, but the album wasn’t officially released until 1990 and he didn’t have a hit until ’90 as well, and for that reason I don’t consider him part of “The Class of ’89.” In my opinion he belongs as part of the “The Class of ’90” along with Travis Tritt, Doug Stone, and Mark Chesnutt.
hoptowntiger94
April 20, 2019 @ 4:21 pm
You could graduate in 1989, but not find a job until 1990…. you’d still be considered the class of ’89.
Dragin
April 20, 2019 @ 8:23 pm
Travis Tritt was class of ’89 not ’90.
Talmadge East
April 20, 2019 @ 1:04 pm
‘New Traditional’ came out in 1987, I believe.
GrantH
April 20, 2019 @ 9:35 am
This delay is definitely disappointing especially when considering how great “The Older I Get” was. However, if the guy wanted to retire tomorrow, I wouldn’t fault him, and neither should anybody else. He can take as much time as he wants. With a track record like his, he doesn’t owe anyone anything.
Rob
April 20, 2019 @ 9:40 am
With the resurgence of the older artists right now, it would be a great time for Alan to release a new album. I prefer him to Strait any day, and I’d like to see him get a late career boost.
OlaR
April 20, 2019 @ 10:09 am
The world needs more Alan Jackson music.
Meanwhile the world can listen to the new Deryl Dodd single: “I’m So Outta Style”.
Or Colee James with her debut album Hymn For A Cowboy (well…unique voice).
George Strait is on #1!
On The Music Row Country Breakout Chart (after 10 weeks with “Every Little Honky Tonk Bar”)
&
Bri Bagwell is on #1 in Texas!
With “Cheat On Me” (Texas Top 100 – Texas Regional Radio Report)
Chris
April 20, 2019 @ 10:42 am
Yeah, let’s hope we hear some new stuff from Alan soon – what a legend he is.
Roger LeValley III
April 20, 2019 @ 10:42 am
I feel as an admirer and long time fan of Mr.Jackson’s that he could take as long as he wants….I personally think this author of this article is being greedy and abit ignorant . Mr. Jackson has been through a lot with the passing of his son in law and a recent rush to the ER. I wish Mr. Jackson the best in his life . He has brought so many people joy. And maybe just sitting back and watching the wheels go round and round and just being content and maybe taking care of his family is all he truly needs to do for himself. Who cares about popularity when your personal life might need some tlc.
Trigger
April 20, 2019 @ 10:54 am
Greedy and ignorant? My goodness.
First off, his recent health issues and the passing of his song-in-law were mentioned in the article as potential reasoning for the delay. The first sentence of the article would also eliminate any “greed.”
The concern here is that Alan Jackson has a new album ready to go, and perhaps it’s not a priority for his label to release it. He released a new song going on two years ago from what was supposed to be a new album, and we haven’t heard anything else since. Nobody is demanding Alan Jackson record music right now if it’s not what he wants to do. It’s simply a discussion point.
hoptowntiger94
April 20, 2019 @ 4:28 pm
Alan Jackson fans are a bit cantankerous.
Thera Casterline
April 21, 2019 @ 7:39 pm
Be patient guys it’s coming
Jumpin' Jack Flash
April 20, 2019 @ 10:49 am
Not that I delight too much in hating on the crap in this genre (though it is pretty fun), but I would love to hear you tear into the bullshit new single from Brantley Gilbert. I just don’t understand how Willie and Lukas Nelson could be a part of that.
glendel
April 20, 2019 @ 11:25 am
can one assume the new Brantley GIlbert single will be “80’s style hair metal” attempting to masquerade as country, like the entirety of the rest of his work? that is not necessarily a slam on it, as I occasionally listened to 80’s style hair metal back in the day, and at 2 shows I didn’t pay for (one a promo show in a small venue, and one as an opening act in a stadium) the crowd really appreciated him and his band.
dukeroberts
April 20, 2019 @ 3:11 pm
Is that “What Happens In a Small Town”? I couldn’t hear half the lyrics because the guitars were too loud.
dukeroberts
April 20, 2019 @ 3:13 pm
Ah! Never mind. I found what you’re talking about.
Trigger
April 20, 2019 @ 12:39 pm
I don’t think the new Brantley Gilbert song is a proper single. It seems to me to be more of a 4/20 novelty song. I have been trying to just ignore it in hopes it will go away, but there sure seems to be a lot of interesting in hating it.
Jordan Stacey
April 20, 2019 @ 11:26 am
I was at a songwriter’s round during Tin Pan South where Adam Wright played and he mentioned jokingly before playing “The Older I Get” that Alan had started working on a new album, but then just decided to spend time fishing instead. I’m sure it was mostly joking, but considering how open they were about other label things during the show I don’t think it’s a label hold up. I truly think Alan’s just taking his time, and maybe he wasn’t feeling that album n
Convict charlie
April 20, 2019 @ 9:37 pm
Book I read maybe ten years ago which I even forget the name. Touched on a chapter with Alan Jackson. Overall point was at times he had to be pushed by his manager to sing, record, and write. He just wanted to work on old boats and cars.
Neta Sedlak
April 20, 2019 @ 11:58 am
If Alan needs more material to look at, Teddy Gentry said my songs that he reviewed were really good, but that nobody is looking for ballads, right now. He listened to 3 of my 400+ songs. Most of my songs aren’t ballads, 66% are Christian, most of the rest are Country.
A lot of folks aren’t real happy with the stuff that gets called “Country” these days. I’m in that group.
I hope he gets his heart back into some new songs, no matter where he finds them. There aren’t many voices out there like Alan’s!
Andrew Riley
April 20, 2019 @ 12:09 pm
I love Alan, he’s my favorite country music singer.
I hope when he gets to heaven he’s singing. And I want to sitting right in front of him. Praying for him to get well soon!!
Luckyoldsun
April 20, 2019 @ 12:30 pm
If radio is not going to play Jackson’s new music, it makes sense that he’s slowed down his output. Four years between albums is not that long a stretch for top-tier veteran artists. At this stage in his career, the more appropriate comparison, in my view is with veteran legacy artists like James Taylor, John Mellencamp, and Bruce Springsteen. They record new music when the spirit strikes them, and–presumably–when their record labels and producers figure the time is ripe for it.
If you want to talk about artists who are due for new material, what the hell is the story with Clint Black and Travis Tritt? I understand that they’ve been shafted by “major league” country, but there are lots of minor and independent labels out there. Those two artists seem to require a blue moon, a solar eclipse and clearance from Interpol and the CIA before they’ll go into the studio and put something down on tape. Those ’90s superstars have been less active in the 2000’s and 2010’s than acts from long ago like Gene Watson, and Bill Anderson, for Pete’s sake.
Trigger
April 20, 2019 @ 12:41 pm
Clint Black released an album in 2015, “On Purpose” with the help of Thirty Tigers. It wasn’t that great.
Luckyoldsun
April 20, 2019 @ 9:26 pm
After 10 years,
I hear Clint has a follow-up coming out in 2025.
That’s also when Travis Tritt is due to issue a reworked version his last album, “The Calm After,” removing two cuts and replacing them with two duets that he’s set to record with his granddaughter.
Gino and Bill have released three albums, between them, since Clint’s most recent.
Lil Dale savin country music hall of fame member class of 2015
April 21, 2019 @ 6:31 am
#ClintBlackLiveMatters
Blockman
April 22, 2019 @ 5:01 am
Hard to beat Killin Time
albert
April 20, 2019 @ 1:37 pm
HAHAHA…. no label ‘deal’ doesn’t have to mean MIA….I hear ya LOS
Cheryl Schmix
April 20, 2019 @ 1:28 pm
I have been very concerned about Alans health problems. The last was he was in critical condition in the hospital. Can you help eith this?
Trigger
April 20, 2019 @ 1:35 pm
Alan did have some health issues in August of 2018, but he has been touring in 2019 and there has been no further health concerns that I have seen.
Randy Myers
April 20, 2019 @ 5:36 pm
When angels and alcohol was released everything that came from that was the pubic wasn’t interested in it .. I called radio stations all over the place all but one said his time has come and gone . My heart sunk when I heard this I have learned to except this and appreciate alan any way I can..alan is king of country. Love you alan..
.
King Honky Of Crackershire
April 20, 2019 @ 6:49 pm
Alan Jackson is good.
Ronald
April 20, 2019 @ 9:02 pm
I love Alan and wish he would put out some new music but there is great things happening for country fans over the next couple of months. Aaron Watson and Randy Rogers Band both have new albums coming out. If you haven’t listen to the songs they have pre released. Great stuff.
Travis
April 21, 2019 @ 12:24 am
While Toby Keith May not have the same credentials around these parts, his career path is currently running alongside Alan Jackson’s. He released an album every year for over a decade yet hasn’t had an actual LP since 2015. He put out a single a few years ago, “Few More Cowboys” I believe followed by the abominable Bus Songs album. We’ll see if Don’t Let the Old Man In is from an upcoming release. Can’t wait for new Alan
BEH
April 21, 2019 @ 9:53 am
You can write “It’s about time for new music” or “It’s about time for a new album” but you can’t mix them together.
Trigger
April 21, 2019 @ 10:03 am
I changed the title to this article from one to the other about ten times. I chose “new music” because a proper single would also help start a new album process, even if a new album is still in the offing.
beh
April 21, 2019 @ 11:03 am
I figured. You need to remove the “a”
Bill from Wisconsin
April 21, 2019 @ 7:26 pm
Love AJ and new music from him would help keep the momentum going in the right direction for real country music. It would also help create an opening for some of the younger acts we all know and love on here, which is what is really needed. It’s kind of odd that so much is still focused on radio airplay, which is the oldest medium in existence!
Blockman
April 22, 2019 @ 5:28 am
Keith Urban – Burden came on Spotify I listened to it twice am I ok?
Benny Lee
April 22, 2019 @ 8:57 am
No, but don’t worry – a little Alan Jackson should clear that right up.
James Williams
April 25, 2019 @ 12:21 pm
I think around 2006, after several albums produced by Keith Steagall, Alan Jackson released “Like Red on a Rose”, produced by Alison Krauss. that freed up Steagall to produce “My Life” by Ronnie Milsap. In my view, each of these albums was the best of these artists’ careers. they weren’t just collections of songs; they were cohesive units. In a world of mixed playlists, I listen to “My Life” and “Like Red on a Rose” in their entirety frequently.
Sadly, the singles from “Like Red on a Rose” didn’t chart as high as Jackson was used to. I have wondered if a cohesive, thinking-man’s album with no line-dance songs on it brought Jackson’s popularity down a notch or two. I hope not, because it will likely be remembered in 50 years as a masterpiece.
Matt
April 25, 2019 @ 6:15 pm
Radio isn’t in a hurry to play Alan, for some crazy reason. He isn’t in a hurry to get turned down.
yb01
April 27, 2019 @ 12:25 pm
Fans of Alan Jackson should definitely check out John Thibodeaux’s new album “Moments Like This”. Very similar style. Maybe SCM could do a review?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nxFE_SdHXs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-AtvgCqaL0
Trigger
April 27, 2019 @ 12:58 pm
Yes he’s on the radar.
CountryKnight
July 30, 2020 @ 6:39 am
Still waiting for new Alan music.
It has been five years. 🙁
eduard de Ru
November 14, 2020 @ 10:32 am
There should be something new coming soon! I’m currently pitching for Alan right now.
Ryan
February 11, 2021 @ 8:02 am
Any news at all on new Alan material? It’s now 2021 and good grief we could all use 10/12 tracks of true country music to boost our spirits!
Vicki Woods
December 30, 2020 @ 9:14 pm
I Love Alan Jackson and would love for him to record more records .He is the most Amazing Awesome kind caring talented Man ever he has the most Amazing family I really admire Alan and Denise they have done an amazing job with their children just amazing family Love you and your Family there is no more real good great country musicanymore. sure would like to hear some Great Alan Jackson music