Alan Jackson’s Eldest Daughter, Mattie, Steps Into Major New Role
“It couldn’t feel more special…”
Alan Jackson, Mattie Jackson; Photo Courtesy Mattie Jackson
Alan Jackson’s eldest daughter, Mattie Jackson, is taking on a new role in the country icon’s whiskey business.
On Wednesday morning (Jan. 15), Silverbelly Whiskey, which Jackson launched in the summer of 2022, announced that Mattie has joined as Master Blender. The brand shared their excitement about welcoming Mattie to the team in a social media post.
“Silverbelly Whiskey is pleased to announce the addition of a key team member as the company grows into 2025, adding Alan’s daughter Mattie Jackson as Master Blender. Jackson will oversee all existing product quality control along with new product blending, finishing, research and development,” the post read.
“Mattie brings years of wine & spirits industry expertise to Silverbelly as both a Certified Bourbon Professional and Certified Sommelier. Mattie is also a best-selling author of two books – Lemons on Friday and Through the Valley of Grief – and most importantly, a new mother with her husband, Connor.”
Mattie also shared her excitement over the new adventure, adding, “It couldn’t feel more special and full circle to me to be working with Silverbelly now. Over my years in the industry, I’ve often joked that wine stole my mind and whiskey stole my heart. I’m fascinated by the whole world of wine, but through it all, whiskey stayed my go-to pour of choice. I guess it’s just always been the one that feels like home.”
Mattie is a new mom, who welcomed her son, Wesley Alan Smith, into the world last summer. She previously worked with her father when they teamed up to co-write a song, “Racing The Dark,” to accompany her first book, Lemons On Friday.
Silverbelly Whiskey is named after the signature cowboy hat of the Country Music Hall of Famer (often thought to be white, but is actually a shade called Silverbelly) and is a premium spirit crafted exclusively for – and personally selected by – Jackson.
It’s described as “having an aroma of brown sugar, sweet apple, cherry, honey, and a taste that’s sweet smooth, and spicy; bright fall fruits with a light, silky texture on the mid-palate; soft caramelized oak tones are met with a savory wood spice on the finish.”
When Silverbelly Whiskey was initially announced, Mattie shared her thoughts on her dad’s brand of whiskey.
“Crafted in honor of classic, bourbon style whiskey, Silverbelly tips its hat to the spirit at the heart of this country,” she said. ”Its smooth texture and medium-light body make it perfect to sip neat at the end of a long day or to raise in a toast of celebration, mixed in your favorite Old Fashioned or Manhattan cocktail. With a subtle kiss of oak and traditional flavors of caramel, spiced apples, and toasty brown sugar, Silverbelly is as American as whiskey comes – a true taste of home.”
Silverbelly Whiskey is the sponsor of Alan Jackson’s current Last Call One More For The Road Tour, which runs through May.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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