Country music icon Alan Jackson is preparing for his farewell tour, and he recently opened up about the heartfelt reasons behind his decision to retire. A key factor is his desire to spend more time with his growing family, especially following the joyful arrival of his new grandson.
Last week, Jackson’s daughter, Mattie, welcomed a baby boy named Wesley Alan Smith. She shared the emotional news, saying, “One week ago, my life was forever changed… Wesley Alan Smith joined our little family on June 20th, the absolute best birthday gift I could have ever imagined.” She added, “There is no greater honor in life than being chosen by God to be your mom. And no sweeter joy than watching your daddy adore you and protect you already.”
Jackson, who had expressed excitement back in February about becoming a grandfather again, shared the joy of the baby’s arrival. “Blessings overflowing in our growing family!” he wrote on social media. “Denise and I are thrilled for our second grandson to arrive in June! We’re so happy for proud parents Mattie and Connor Smith and can’t wait to meet the next addition to our family.”
In the midst of these joyous family moments, Jackson has also reflected on his long career and the decision to retire after his upcoming tour. At 65, the country legend looked back on more than 30 years of performing, saying, “I’ve played everywhere in the country and parts of the world… but I think it’s time to start thinking about hanging it up full-time.”
Jackson also shared how his health has played a role in his decision. In 2021, he revealed he has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a hereditary condition that affects his mobility. “Most of my fans know I have a degenerative health condition… it’s getting worse, and it makes me more uncomfortable on stage,” he said. “I just want to think about maybe calling it quits before I’m unable to do the job like I want to.”
Jackson’s farewell tour, titled “Last Call: One More for the Road,” kicks off on August 2 and will run through May 2025. As he closes this chapter, Jackson is looking forward to spending more time with his family and embracing life at home with his new grandson.
