Alan Jackson is the latest recipient of the ACM Poet’s Award, given at the ACM Honors to a country artist who is known for their exemplary songwriting. The Country Music Hall of Fame member was on hand to accept the trophy from Eric Church, sharing his thoughts on the importance of songwriting, at least for him.

“I’ve always put songwriting at the top of my list when it comes to making music,” Jackson, who dedicated his award to his late father and country radio, said when accepting the award. “I realized a long time ago life gives you a lot of ingredients for songwriting. It typically makes the best songs. And I’ve been fortunate to pull a lot of stuff out of my life and turn it into music over the years. My biggest pride as an artist is to write a song, have people enjoy it and be touched by it or moved by it…[to] help them through a hard time or [to] enjoy a good time.”

“I just appreciate the opportunity to share my music,” he added.

Church praised Jackson when presenting him with the Poet’s Award, also performing a stripped-down version of “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow” in tribute to Jackson.

“Alan Jackson is an institution,. I was thinking about the Poet’s Award…thinking about Alan…thinking about what he’s meant to not just me, but to music,” Church said, quoting one of his favorite poets, Robert Frost. “He said, ‘Poetry is when emotion finds its thought…and then that thought finds its words.’ Alan Jackson has always found my words.”

Other recipients of the Poet’s Award include Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Buck Owens, Hank Williams, and Kris Kristofferson, among others.

Fans who want to hear Jackson’s music in person will need to see him on his remaining dates on his current Last Call: One More For The Road Tour. The 65-year-old will retire from the road after this tour, due to his ongoing battle with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, along with his desire to spend more time with his family.

“I’ve been touring for over 30 years, played everywhere, in countries and parts of the world,” Jackson says. “I’ve had a wonderful, wonderful career, and I’m getting into my twilight years. All my daughters are grown … I enjoy spending more time at home, and don’t want to be away like I had been in my younger days. And I don’t tour as much now as I did of course ten years ago, but I think it’s getting time to start thinking about hanging it up full-time.”

See a list of remaining dates for Jackson’s Last Call: One More For The Road Tour below. Find more information, and all of Jackson’s music and upcoming shows, at AlanJackson.com.

Last Call: One More For The Road Tour Dates:

Saturday, August 24 Grand Rapids, MI (Van Andel Arena)
Saturday, September 28 Fayetteville, AR (Bud Walton Arena)
Saturday, October 26 Kansas City, MO (T-Mobile Center)
Saturday, November 16 Salt Lake City, UT (Delta Center)
Saturday, January 18 Oklahoma City, OK (Paycom Center)
Saturday, February 15 Fort Worth, TX (Dickies Arena)
Friday, March 7 Orlando, FL (Kia Center)
Saturday, April 26 Tampa, FL (Amalie Arena)
Saturday, May 17 Milwaukee, WI (Fiserv Forum)

Photo Credit: David McClister