Alan Jackson

Diese Musik in meiner Werbung Well beyond the rewards that his talents have afforded him, Alan Jackson has quite a bit to be thankful for. To start with, there's the honesty within his songs, which is even more important than his stature within country music the 25 plus million albums sold, the dozens of industry awards, the whole 'superstar' treatment. Then there is the fact that he remains country to the bone and built with a gentle humility that keeps his eyes open to life's lessons, no matter what. Moreover, Alan is still the same soft spoken and ultimately private guy he always was, yet fully able to relay to listeners a subtle wisdom which is wholly rural and never trite. His family and his upbringing remain steadfast themes on his albums, and hold tremendous value to him whether he's sifting alone or performing to thousands of fans. Most importantly, Jackson can be thankful that his songs, in addition to reflecting the lives and emotions of his audience, also continue to reflect his.

It's a long way from rural Newnan, Ga., to the top of Music Row. More than miles, it involves work, pain, time, talent, oh, and a bit of luck. After arriving, it only takes a second to realize that, in a flash, the forces which brought you there can take you down as well. Money, fame and material rewards are a lot of character temptations to stack up against creative desire and small town ideals. And the quickest lesson an artist learns in Nashville is that this is, above all, a business. Alan Jackson began his road in a Nashville basement apartment with a guitar, a dream and his high school sweetheart standing by his side. He's moved through his dreams a thousand times over since then, and faced the ups and downs that come with the ride. He's also the first to admit that he's stumbled, and probably had every reason to fall. The bottom line is that he hasn't. And for that he can truly be thankful.

Like Hank Williams in the 1950s, Merle Haggard in the 1960s, John Anderson and Randy Travis in the 1980s, Jackson stands tall today as a beacon for the simple truths and homespun values that have always been the very heart of country music. He's also that rare performer who's learned to enjoy his success without ever letting it get the best of him.

Writing songs and making great records that stand the test of time has always been the goal of Jackson and producer Keith Stegall, throughout all of his multi-platinum-selling albums. Maybe that's the real reason Jackson's music packs such a musical and emotional wallop -- a great song has always been and will always be this country singer's first priority. For all of his fame and multi-platinum fortune, Alan Jackson has never strayed far from home.

But unlike many who carry traditional country's banner, Jackson allows his music to grow and evolve. Indeed, his songwriting seemed to gain depth and insight as each new album was created. As a composer he has been behind such contemporary-country masterpieces as "Wanted" (1990), "Dallas" (1992), "Tonight I Climbed The Wall" (1993), "Livin' On Love" (1994), "A House With No Curtains" (1997), "Gone Crazy" (1998) and "Little Man" (1999).

"I just do what I like and what I feel like I do the best," he says humbly.