When we talk about music legends, his name is among the first ones that comes to our mind! 🤗👏 It’s already been 4️⃣0️⃣ years that he entertains large audiences with 8️⃣0️⃣ million albums sold! 🤩⚡ However, only little is known about his personal life! 🤫🧐 Did you know that his son-in-law passed away at 2️⃣8️⃣ and now the star suffers from Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease? 😨😱 For more astonishing details – see the article! 👇
Alan Jackson, an iconic name in country music, has captivated audiences for over 40 years with his signature blend of honky tonk and traditional sounds. With more than 80 million albums sold, an esteemed place in the Grand Ole Opry, and his 2017 induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, his legacy is firmly cemented. However, despite his professional triumphs, Jackson’s personal life has been marked by deep sorrow and significant struggles.
In 2018, tragedy struck the Jackson family with the untimely death of their son-in-law, Ben Selecman, who passed away at just 28 years old after a tragic boating accident. Ben, the husband of Alan’s daughter, Mattie Jackson Selecman, sustained fatal head injuries while attempting to assist a woman onto a boat. Despite immediate medical intervention, the injuries proved to be too severe. This devastating loss has deeply affected Alan, leaving an indelible mark on his music.
The emotional journey through grief and healing is evident in Alan’s more recent work, including albums like Angels & Alcohol (2015) and Where Have You Gone (2021). One of the most poignant milestones in his career came with the song “Racing the Dark,” co-written with his daughter Mattie. This marked a significant personal and artistic achievement, as it was the first time Alan had collaborated musically with one of his children. The song reflects their shared experience of loss and their process of finding solace through art.
In addition to the song, Mattie Jackson Selecman is set to release a memoir titled Lemons on Friday: Trusting God Through My Greatest Heartbreak, which delves into her journey of grief and faith-based healing. In conjunction with the book’s release, fans can download “Racing the Dark.” The book also showcases Mattie’s strength in transforming her pain into empowerment, co-founding NaSHEville, an initiative aimed at helping women thrive in the music industry. Alan and his wife, Denise Jackson, who is a best-selling author herself, contributed a foreword to the book, offering insight into their family’s shared experience of loss and the love that has held them together.
Alongside personal loss, Alan Jackson is also facing the challenges of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a progressive neurological condition that affects his ability to maintain balance and mobility. Though there is no cure, Alan continues to perform, his determination to share his music unwavering. His strength is bolstered by his wife, Denise, who has stood by him since their marriage in 1979. Denise, a survivor of colorectal cancer, has also supported Alan through his own health battles, and together they have found strength in each other and in their family.
Despite the challenges, the Jacksons have welcomed a new joy into their lives with the birth of their grandson, Jackson Alvie Bradshaw, born to their daughter Ali and her husband, Sam Bradshaw. This new chapter brings hope and happiness, a bright light in the midst of their trials.
Alan Jackson’s journey is one of remarkable resilience—a testament to the healing power of music, the importance of family, and the unwavering spirit to overcome hardship. His ongoing dedication to his art and to those he loves continues to inspire, reminding us of the enduring strength found in love and perseverance.
