Alan Jackson announced in 2021 that he had been diagnosed with Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease, a hereditary nerve condition that affects his mobility. While the progressive illness makes touring a challenge, the 64-year-old isn’t done making music, which he says he will likely keep doing for years to come.

“Well, yes. I would hope so,” Jackson said on his daughter’s In Joy Life with Mattie Jackson podcast, when asked if he planned on releasing more music. “I may not have toured much, but the creative part jumps out every now and then. I’m always scribbling down ideas and thinking about melodies and I feel like there’ll be some more music to come, yes.”

In October, Jackson announced he was postponing the remaining dates on his Last Call: One More For The Road Tour, due to health issues. While he has always enjoyed performing for his fans, the Georgia native says his favorite part has always been making music.

“It’s like, you can be a singer and go out and tour, but it’s kind of like you’re just doing the same thing over and over,” Jackson reflects. “When you make an album, or especially when you write a lot of the songs, that’s creating something. It’s a challenge, so it keeps you interested a little more. If I didn’t write, I think I would’ve gotten bored just singing a long time ago.”

In November, Jackson received the  Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the CMA Awards,   honoring his numerous musical contributions in country music.

“Country music’s been real good to me,” Jackson said from stage. “I fell in love with it when I was a young man. I really loved the instruments, the steel guitars and the fiddles and things like that that gave it such a unique character and made it its own. And I loved the lyrics in the songs and the artists, the melodies and the harmonies. It’s just real American music to me.”

Jackson was also recently named the CMT Artist of a Lifetime. His last album, Where Have You Gone, which was released in 2021, celebrated the traditional country music that Jackson has been known for throughout his lengthy career.

“I never felt the need to chase anything different than I did,” Jackson said at the time. “I just did what I liked and was lucky enough to connect with people who love the same kind of country music I do. My heart was in the real country music, that was what I wanted to do, and I thought if my career lasts three or four years, I’d be happy.”

Keep track of music and tour updates at AlanJackson.com.