Alan Jackson Bids an Emotional Farewell with “Remember When” at the 2025 ACM Awards

At the 2025 ACM Awards, Alan Jackson delivered a performance that brought the entire arena to tears. Under soft blue lighting and with touching home videos playing behind him, Jackson performed his 2003 classic “Remember When.” The deeply personal ballad, which reflects on his life with his wife Denise and their family, struck a chord with every listener. His voice cracked near the end, making the moment even more emotional and raw.

This performance carried even more weight as Jackson nears the end of his touring career due to ongoing health challenges. In 2021, he revealed that he had been diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a progressive nerve condition that affects his mobility and balance. Though the disease is not life-threatening, it has increasingly impacted his ability to perform on stage.

After his emotional performance, Jackson was honored with the first-ever Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award. Reba McEntire, who hosted the evening, presented him with the award. In his acceptance speech, Jackson reminisced about his humble beginnings in Nashville—arriving with a “paper sack full of songs and a crazy dream.” His gratitude was evident as he thanked God, his loyal fans, and especially his wife Denise, crediting her unwavering support as the foundation of his career and life.

The 60th ACM Awards balanced the celebration of legends like Jackson with recognition of the genre’s rising stars. Lainey Wilson took home several major awards, including her second consecutive Entertainer of the Year title, as well as Female Artist and Album of the Year. It was a night filled with both nostalgia and new beginnings.

Other memorable performances included Blake Shelton’s stripped-down version of his new single “Texas,” which earned a standing ovation, and a surprise collaboration between Reba McEntire, Lainey Wilson, and Miranda Lambert, which energized the crowd and showcased the strength of women in country music.

Jackson’s appearance served as a heartfelt goodbye. More than just a performance, it felt like a final chapter in a legendary career that’s spanned decades. His presence was a reminder of country music’s roots and its power to tell real, emotional stories that stand the test of time.

Audience members, both in the arena and watching from home, were visibly moved. Many shared on social media how they’d grown up listening to “Remember When” and how this performance made them feel like they were saying goodbye to an old friend. The tears weren’t just for the lyrics—they were for everything Jackson has meant to his fans over the years.

The vulnerability in Jackson’s voice as he sang about aging, love, and memory wasn’t rehearsed—it was lived experience. You could feel that he meant every word. And in that shared silence at the song’s close, everyone understood the gravity of the moment.

The simplicity of the staging only added to the emotional depth. No smoke, no fireworks—just Alan Jackson, a guitar, his memories, and the audience that had stood by him for a lifetime. It was a masterclass in how country music can be both intimate and monumental.

Though the Lifetime Achievement Award came later in the night, Jackson’s real victory happened the moment he opened his heart on stage. It was a reminder that music can heal, connect, and comfort. And in that room, surrounded by thousands, he made every person feel like he was singing just for them.

This was more than a tribute—it was a goodbye wrapped in gratitude. And though Jackson’s health may slow his touring schedule, the love he poured into that performance will continue to echo long after the lights dim.

For fans who missed it live, Jackson’s performance has been shared online, quickly going viral as viewers across the world relive the heartfelt moment. It’s a performance that captures everything Alan Jackson represents: honesty, humility, and timeless storytelling.

Whether this was truly his final performance or not, it felt like the closing of a remarkable chapter. And if that’s the case, he left the stage exactly how he’s always lived his music—gracefully, honestly, and with heart.