Posted on October 2, 2021

Legendary country superstar, Alan Jackson, shared details about a health condition that he was diagnosed with back in 2011. Jackson, aged 62, revealed that he was diagnosed with a common nerve condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which affects his balance while performing on stage.

Jackson told Jenna Bush Hagger in a interview on the TODAY show that “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.”  He added that he feels unconfortable on stage: “I know I’m stumbling around on stage. And now I’m having a little trouble balancing, even in front of the microphone…”.

Source: Youtube

According to the Mayo Clinic, CMT (short form) is not curable and progressvly worsens over time. It effects the arms and legs, resulting in weaker muscles, loss of sensation, muscle contractions and difficulty walking.  However, it does not shorten life span of those with it. The condition is related to Parkinson’s disease and Muscular Distrophy.

Despite having Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, he still plans on performing. “I never wanted to do the big retirement tour, like people do, then take a year off and then come back,” Jackson said. “I think that’s kinda cheesy. And I’m not saying I won’t be able to tour. I’ll try to do as much as I can.” This is an obvious nod to when George Strait went on his “Cowboy Rides Away Tour” prior to his short retirement.

In fact, Jackson will be headling a show in Nashville, TN on October 8th at Bridgstone Arena, and is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. The 3 time CMA Entertainer of the Year, longtime Grand Ole Opry member and 2017 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee just released his 21st studio album, Where Have You Gone, earlier this year. The video for the title track just released this week, sending a powerful message about his view on the state of country music.

Image Credit: Larry Darling, via Fliker