Alan Jackson Delivers Emotional Farewell at the 2025 ACM Awards With a Heartfelt Performance of “Remember When”

Alan Jackson has been dealing with serious health issues for years. The country music star revealed he has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a condition that affects his muscles and balance. Amid his appearance at the ACM Awards, fans are concerned about what happened to the musician.

Here’s what happened to Alan Jackson

Country music legend Alan Jackson has been struggling with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a genetic health condition that affects nerve function, for over a decade. The disease has gradually impacted his ability to perform, causing difficulties with balance and movement.

Diagnosed in 2011, Jackson revealed the condition publicly during a 2021 interview with Jenna Bush Hager on the TODAY show. He explained that he inherited the disease from his father and that it has impacted other family members as well.

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Jackson said, “It’s been affecting me for years, and it’s getting more and more obvious.” Noting that symptoms had become more visible, he added, “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, and I just want people to know that’s why I look like I do.”

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease causes a mix of motor and sensory issues such as numbness, tingling, pain, muscle weakness, and the deterioration of tissue. The disease currently has no cure, but treatments like physical therapy can help manage symptoms.

Despite these challenges, Jackson made a return to the spotlight on May 8 with a heartfelt performance of “Remember When” at the ACM Awards. The country icon then took the stage to accept the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

Reflecting on his long career, he said, “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 just mind-blowing” (via US Weekly).

Currently on his Last Call: One More for the Road Tour, Jackson continues to perform despite his ongoing health struggles. The tour began in 2022 and took a brief pause. It will conclude with a final performance on May 17, 2025, in Milwaukee.