BREAKING: CMT To Honor Alan Jackson With ‘Artist Of A Lifetime’ Award: ‘I’m Very Proud’

Country music icon Alan Jackson will receive the “Artist of a Lifetime” award at the 2022 CMT Artists of the Year during a 90-minute special airing on CMT on Friday, October 14. 

CMT made the announcement Thursday (Sept. 29) that Jackson will join the list of previous “Lifetime” honorees including Randy Travis (2021), Reba McEntire (2019), Loretta Lynn (2018), Shania Twain (2016), Kenny Rogers (2015) and Merle Haggard (2014). 

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“We’re honored to recognize the incomparable Alan Jackson as this year’s CMT ‘Artist of a Lifetime.’ For more than thirty years, his traditional sound, iconic voice and beloved catalog of music has captivated audiences across the globe and his talent as a recording artist and songwriter are simply unmatched,” shared CMT Producers. “From his early beginnings in Newnan, Georgia, to selling out the world’s largest stages, Alan has led fans on a musical journey that proved to be a reflection of their own lives. As his songs continue to inspire new generations of fans, we are privileged to celebrate his lifetime of accomplishments.”

This award is a celebration of Jackson’s extraordinary career that spans more than three decades and includes 35 No. 1 hits and nearly 60 million sales worldwide.

“I believe I’ve made more videos than just about anybody, and I know how important they have been in bringing my songs to life for the fans, so thank you CMT for all the years and for this sweet honor,” Jackson said in a recent press release. “I’m very proud.”

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee has been a driving force in the country music industry for more than 30 years. Some of his most iconic tracks including, “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” “Chattahoochee” and “Don’t Rock The Jukebox” are prime examples of his influence on the genre. 

According to the press release, this “Lifetime” honor will add to the Newnan, GA native’s long list of accolades that include more than 30 years of membership in the Grand Ole Opry, three CMA Entertainer of the Year honors, two GRAMMYs and the Heritage Award as the most-performed country songwriter-artist of ASCAP’s first 100 years.

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This news comes in the midst of Jackson’s sold-out Last Call: One More For The Road tour. He kicked off this 30-city trek on Friday (June 24) and Saturday (June 25), in Biloxi, Mississippi at Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Knoxville, Tennessee at Thompson-Boling Arena, respectively.

In addition to his most recent collection, Where Have You Gone, Jackson’s set list features fan-favorite hits such as “Mercury Blues,” “Drive (For Daddy Gene),” “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning),” “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” “When I Come From,” and “Chattahoochee.”

His next stop on the road will take place Friday (Sept. 30) in Phoenix, AZ. 

The 2022 CMT Artists of the Year will feature some of music’s biggest stars who will take the stage at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center in honor of Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, Kane Brown, Luke Combs, and Walker Hayes. The special will feature never-before-seen performances and collaborations, and congratulatory moments.

The star-studded event will premiere on Friday, October 14 at 9/8c.