Alan Jackson will receive another accolade in honor of his legendary career. The 64-year-old will be given the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, during the live broadcast of the upcoming CMA Awards. Dierks Bentley, Jon Pardi, Carrie Underwood and Lainey Wilson will perform a special tribute to the Country Music Hall of Fame member.
“We are thrilled to honor Alan Jackson this year with the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award,” Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer, says. “A three-time CMA Entertainer of the Year, he is responsible for so many iconic moments in CMA Awards history. Just as Alan has been influenced by many country legends throughout his career, he too has inspired a generation of artists to stay true to the authenticity of country music.
“We are so excited to bring Dierks, Jon, Carrie and Lainey together on the CMA Awards stage for what will surely be an incredible and touching tribute to an artist they each deeply admire,” she continues. “Having had the great fortune of working with Alan over the years, I am delighted we are honoring him with this milestone award next month.”
Jackson was also recently named the CMT Artist of a Lifetime, during the CMT Artists of the Year televised ceremony.
“I believe I’ve made more videos than just about anybody, and I know how important they have been in bringing my songs to life for the fans, so thank you CMT for all the years and for this sweet honor,” Jackson says. “I’m very proud.”
In 2021, Jackson revealed he had been diagnosed with a rare degenerative nerve condition. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
“I have this neuropathy and neurological disease,” Jackson shared on the Today Show. “It’s genetic that I inherited from my daddy … There’s no cure for it, but it’s been affecting me for years. And it’s getting more and more obvious. And I know I’m stumbling around on stage. And now I’m having a little trouble balancing, even in front of the microphone, and so I just feel very uncomfortable.”
“It’s not going to kill me. It’s not deadly,” Jackson said. “But it’s related (to) muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s disease.”
Previous recipients of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award include Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Kris Kristofferson, Charley Pride, and Loretta Lynn.
Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning will serve as hosts of the 2022 CMA Awards. The 2022 CMA Awards will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 9, at 8:00 PM ET on ABC.