WATCH: Alan Jackson and Daughter Ali Share the Stage for Unforgettable Duet

Country music icon Alan Jackson played a hometown show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Friday (Oct. 8) and he brought…

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Lauren Jo Black

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October 11, 2021

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9:28 am

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Alan Jackson, Daughter Ali; Photo via YouTube

Country music icon Alan Jackson played a hometown show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Friday (Oct. 8) and he brought a very special guest along with him: his 28-year-old daughter, Ali. 

Jackson invited Ali to join him on stage to perform the touching track “You’ll Always Be My Baby (Written for Daughters’ Weddings).” 

Solely penned by the Hall of Fame songwriter, “You’ll Always Be My Baby (Written for Daughters’ Weddings)” was written several years ago for a very special occasion. 

“I wrote the song for Mattie’s wedding the summer of 2017, but it was so hard to do. I told ’em, ‘I wrote this for all of you,’” he explained in a media release. 

YouTube video

The song finds Jackson promising to always be there for his daughters, no matter what. 

“But you’ll always be my baby / No matter where you are / You’ll always be my baby / Forever in my heart,” he sings.

Ali joined the legendary country singer/songwriter as he told the crowd, “We’re going to give this thing a whirl, have a good time baby girl.” 

Jackson sweetly looked in his daughters eyes as he sang the emotional lyrics. 

Alan Jackson, Daughter Ali; Photo via YouTube
Alan Jackson, Daughter Ali; Photo via YouTube

As they sang, family photos flashed across the screen behind them, featuring images of Jackson’s wife, Denise, and their three daughters, including Ali, Mattie, 31, and Dani, 24. 

“Man, she’s sounding good up here, y’all,” the proud father exclaimed as the audience answered back with cheers and applause. 

As the song came to a close, Jackson lovingly kissed Ali’s forehead before she left the stage. 

YouTube video

“You’ll Always Be My Baby (Written for Daughters’ Weddings)” appears on Jackson’s recently released 16th studio album, Where Have You Gone. 

The project includes 21 tracks and finds the country superstar once again teaming up with his longtime producer, Keith Stegall. 

Upon its release, Where Have You Gone topped the country album chart and became the Georgia native’s 15th Top 10 on the all-genre Billboard Top 200. 

Alan Jackson - Where Have You Gone
Alan Jackson – Where Have You Gone

Jackson released a music video for the title track in late September that pays homage to country music legends Johnny CashPatsy ClineMerle HaggardGeorge JonesHank Williams and Tammy Wynette. Shot on the stage of Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, the cinematic music video pairs perfectly with the song as Jackson shares his longing for for classic country sounds that are rarely heard on country radio today. 

Check out the music video HERE

Jackson’s Nashville concert came just days after he revealed that he has been diagnosed with a degenerative nerve condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. 

The Georgia native appeared on NBC’s TODAY show an opened up about the diagnosis in an interview with Jenna Bush Hager from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville.

“I have this neuropathy and neurological disease,” Jackson revealed.

Alan Jackson; Photo Courtesy of NBC's TODAY Show
Alan Jackson; Photo Courtesy of NBC’s TODAY Show

He continued to share that the disease, inherited from his father, is progressing and now affecting his ability to walk.

“It’s genetic that I inherited from my daddy… There’s no cure for it, but it’s been affecting me for years,” the “Where Have You Gone” singer continued. “And it’s getting more and more obvious. And I know I’m stumbling around on stage. And now I’m having a little trouble balancing, even in front of the microphone, and so I just feel very uncomfortable.”

The Nashville concert was his last tour date for 2021 and no further dates are booked on his online calendar

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Lauren Jo Black

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.