Alan Jackson received the inaugural Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award, during the 2025 ACM Awards ceremony. Jackson was given the honor by host Reba McEntire, after he gave a moving performance of “Remember When.”

“Thank you all. Thank everybody so much,” Jackson said from stage. “It’s quite an honor. A few years ago, one of my fans named their dog after me, and I thought that was something. But man, this really is amazing … I came to Nashville with a paper sack full of songs and a crazy dream, and all these years later, I’m standing here receiving such an honor like this. It’s mind-blowing. I thank God all the time for all the people that have been a part of my life and career that have helped me get here and maintain it all this time.”

Jackson became emotional as he reflected on everyone who has helped him for the past 35 years, ever since his debut Here in the Real World album was released.

“There are so many people, I can’t begin to thank everybody tonight that’s been a part of my life and career,” Jackson said. “But I especially want to thank my fans all over this country and all over the world that have appreciated my music so much. I thank y’all for everything. I do want to especially thank one person that’s been my best friend since I was 17 years old, and that’s my wife, Denise out there.

“She’s loved me through the good and the bad and the happy and the sad,” he continued. “She’s influenced me, given me three beautiful daughters, and helped me keep my feet on the ground all these years, and I wouldn’t be here without her. There’s not much I can say that’s better than that. Thank y’all so much for this honor, and for all the years. God bless you.”

Jackson’s Lifetime Achievement Award comes a week before he plays his final show on tour. The 66-year-old is retiring from touring, after his last show on his Last Call: One More For The Road Tour, due to his ongoing battle with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which affects his mobility.

“I’ve been touring for over 30 years, played everywhere, in countries and parts of the world,” Jackson said last June. “I’ve had a wonderful, wonderful career, and I’m getting into my twilight years … 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.”

“Most of my fans know I have a degenerative health condition that affects my legs and arms and mobility that I got from my daddy, and it’s getting worse,” he added. “And so, it makes me more uncomfortable on stage. I just have a hard time. I want to think about maybe calling it quits before I am unable to do the job like I want to.”

Jackson’s final show takes place on May 17 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.