Alan Jackson‘s oldest daughter, Mattie Smith, is speaking out about her father’s final show. Smith, along with her sisters Ali and Dani, and her mother, Denise, were all together to watch Jackson’s Last Call: One More for the Road – The Finale, the last headlining show of his career.
“There’s no telling what number show this was for me in 36 years,” Smith begins. “But it’s one I’ll never ever forget. We’ve always been so proud of [Jackson], of course. But it’s easy to lose sight of just how remarkable his life and career has been when it’s always been the ‘normal’ backdrop to your life.
“Saturday was anything but normal,” she continues. “His music has transcended generations. His words have both healed and celebrated real people’s lives in their broken and beautiful moments. He’s always sung the truth which is why fans always come back.
“Not only did he out perform my expectations, it was surreal and humbling and left me in awe to see 80,000 people (and tons more streaming elsewhere) come to celebrate and honor him once last time,” Smith concludes. “He’s still always first Dado to us, but what a night to forever solidify the icon he is to the world. Couldn’t be more proud!”
What Alan Jackson Says About His Final Headlining Show
During Last Call: One More for the Road – The Finale, Jackson looked back on his historic career.
“If anybody’s lived the American dream, I’ve lived it,” the 67-year-old said. “I’ve been so blessed, and so lucky. I just want to thank everybody, especially all of you fans, all over the world … y’all have been so supportive of my music all of these years. I’ve played several thousand shows in the last 36 years, y’all always treated me nice and respected the music. I appreciate it so much. I came here, and I gave it five years, and I was going to go back home, probably end up selling cars or doing something. That wasn’t a bad thing. But I was lucky; after about five years, I finally got a record contract.”
Jackson also recounted getting his record deal, and making his first album, Here in the Real World. The first single, “Blue Blooded Woman,” was not at all a success at radio.
“It died a terrible death on the charts,” Jackson joked. “I was bummed out.” Jackson goes on to recall that as his first single was not doing well, Denise revealed she was pregnant with Mattie.
“We thought, ‘Well, I guess I’m gonna have to go back to work now, to pay for this baby, and give up this music dream. Luckily, the record label decided to release this other song,” he said, beginning to play “Here in the Real World.” “And they did, and I haven’t worked since.”
Jackson is retiring due to his ongoing battle with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, a neurological disorder that affects his mobility. Last Call: One More for the Road – The Finale, also included performances by George Strait, Luke Bryan, Lainey Wilson, Carrie Underwood, Luke Combs, Eric Church, Thomas Rhett, Riley Green, and more. The show is part of a live album, Last Call: One More for the Road – The Finale (Live from Nashville), which will be available on December 31. Last Call: One More for the Road – The Finale (Live from Nashville) will also be part of an NBC TV special, airing in December.
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