Alan Jackson Shares the Spotlight at CMT Giants
As last night’s taping of CMT Giants, Alan Jackson sat in the balcony of the Ryman Auditorium and watched his own band perform. The songs were familiar, of course, as friends like George Strait, Brad Paisley, Martina McBride and Lee Ann Womack serenaded him with his biggest hits. Even newer artists like Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift (who was born the same year Jackson released his first single) were on hand to pay tribute to the small-town Southern man. The show will debut on CMT on Dec. 6.
As is tradition on CMT Giants, Jackson sang a few of his own songs at the end. Fifteen years later, people still leap to their feet whenever they hear the first licks of “Chattahoochee.” My mind must go on auto-pilot when that song starts, because although I was singing every word, I was also looking around the balcony, and caught Miranda Lambert singing along, too. Funny. The show also features sincere testimonials from other famous friends, sprinkled among Jackson’s own stories and photographs. Whenever people complain to me that country music doesn’t sound like country anymore, I feel like I can always safely point them to Alan Jackson.
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Stevie M says:
That had to be wonderful to see him watching himself be serenaded with his own music. Can you please post a set list if it is not to much trouble?
Always Right says:
I’m sure Taylor Swift stayed on pitch.
Seriously though, what is the one thing wrong with the performer list? Taylor Swift was among a bevy of artists that still, in some form or fashion, pay respect to the history of pure country music. It is clearly obvious that Taylor was just thrown into the mix for television exposure, since that’s the only thing she has going for her.
Lucy says:
Thrown into the mix for television exposure. You just might be right. However, I wonder if Alan didn’t have a little bit to say about who he wanted to sing his songs. Alan and George are friends, LeAnn’s music he has quoted many times as loving, and Martina he sang a duet with. He also has said that Taylor has talent as a songwriter so……….
I know I’m getting a little sick of the teen-age country tunes but that’s the way it goes. This too shall pass. Money talks. If she didn’t make the record companies money they won’t put her out there. I do like her songs and she does have talent. But I will stick to small doses here and there. I guess I’m not a teen-ager anymore.
Casee says:
I attended the taping last night and it was a great show, here is the set list:
Brad Paisley-”5 O Clock Somewhere”
Miranda and Lee Ann-”Gone Country”
George Strait-”Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning”
Dierks Bentley-”Don’t Rock the Jukebox”
Martina McBride-”When Someboday Loves You”
Alan Jackson-”Chattahoochee” “Remember When”
George, Alan, Brad and Dierks-”Country Boy”
Cricket on Froggy 104 says:
Casee, that set list just gave me chills. How cool.
Katie says:
I’m looking forward to seeing this, particularly (besides the man himself) miranda and lee ann, dierks, and george.
Kim says:
I was lucky enough to attend this concert last night and it was INCREDIBLE!! Alan Jackson is an incredibly talented song writer and his songs where moving, even sung by other artists. Martina McBride did a breath taking cover of “When Somebody Loves You”
Great show!!
Bret says:
I would of liked to been at that show. All those talented singers, especially for me to have heard King George, Martina and LeAnn sing. I’ve been a fan of Alan’s since I first heard him at a club in Selma,Tx called the Blue Bonnet Palace. I go see him every year at the San Antonio Rodeo. Keep up the great work ALAN, so they can do it again in 10 or 15 years. Can’t wait for the show in December.
Big AJ fan says:
get over yourself jasmine. you’re not cute at all.
Tom ( France ) says:
I’m big fan of Alan but never got to see him in the states. now living in France I only get to see him on videos on CMT. Waiting for that international good time tour HOPEFULLY!!!!!!! Any new dates or inside news?
Tom
texas_ran_fan says:
I cannot wait to see Miranda and Lee Ann!!! Miranda is my idol and Lee Ann has an amazing voice!! Plus I LOVE the song they are singing and I LOVE Alan!!!!!!
C-Natural says:
I’m so excited to see this– this is the kind of thing my dad and I bond over, whether we’re watching it together in the same room or three states apart, calling each other during commercial breaks saying, “did you SEE that?!”
And you know? fifteen years later, and I’m still one of those people who goes crazy over Chattahoochee. Also, Mercury, Summertime Blues, Little Bitty, Neon Rainbow… I love the old AJ stuff.
jasmine gines says:
it’s a beautiful life don’t you think [C-natural]
Steven says:
Lee Ann Womack should’ve done “Remember When”. She did a beautiful rendition of it during the ACM 40th Anniversary Special in December 2005 before giving Alan a trophy for his five Single of the Year wins, more than any other artist in the Academy’s history.
If I were producer of the show, this would be my set list
Miranda - Summertime Blues
Dierks - Chasing that Neon Rainbow
George - I Don’t Even Know Your Name
Martina - Here in the Real World
Lee Ann - Remember When
Brad - Love’s Got a Hold on You
Taylor - Little Bitty
Alan - Chattahoochee, Where Were You,
All - Good Time
Now When Is Mr. Strait Gonna Get His Show?
rebekah says:
Cassee forgot Taylor sang- when daddy let me drive. She did a great job it gave me chills.
Ellen Morris says:
I am so excited about this show Alan Jackson & George Strait are my all time favorite singers .
Alan Jackson music is so beautiful and moving to me. Alan rips your heart out one song at a time.
I agree Steven ,now we need a George Strait Giant show. Next spring George is artist of the decade and they are doing a hour long special on him .
Brett says:
I’m really looking forward to hearing George Strait sing “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning.” I think that will be awesome and very moving to hear. George and Alan still carry the torch for real country music, and I love them for it.
Doris says:
Haven’t they already done a show for George?
I’ve seen Alan about 8 times - the first time in 1989 when he opened for Randy Travis. I have old VHS tapes from Nashville Now days with Ralph Emery. Have always loved Alan and knew he’d be around for a long time. Can’t wait to see the show.
Catfish says:
This is a Awesome thing to do for Alan! He is definatly a man of talent and its great to see him getting reconized for it! Im so looking forward to watching this tribute, and then deploying a few days later to Afghanistan :(
HM2 Catfish
Catfish says:
This is a Awesome thing to do for Alan! He is definatly a man of talent and its great to see him getting reconized for it! Im so looking forward to watching this tribute, and then deploying a few days later to Afghanistan :(
Catfish
Mattias says:
Alan Jackson, a man you can rely on.He makes good solid countrymusic and i like his personality very much.He is been well known for is humbled manner, more should be like him.
I’ve got all of his albums, so you could say im a big AJ fan.
I think i was born on the wrong place of the earth because of what i love so much, but im proud to be a
/Swedish country lover