5 Shocking Truths About Alan Jackson's Battle With Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (2025 Health Update)

Country music icon Alan Jackson has been a towering figure in the industry for over three decades, but in recent years, his public appearances and touring schedule have been significantly impacted by a private health battle. As of late 2025, the most current and essential information revolves around his ongoing fight with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, a progressive neurological disorder that affects his motor and sensory nerves. The legendary singer-songwriter, known for his traditional sound and hits like "Chattahoochee" and "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)," continues to manage the symptoms of this condition, which he inherited and has been living with for well over a decade.

The latest update, which is a key focus for fans, comes from his emotional return to the spotlight at the 2025 ACM Awards, confirming both the challenges he faces and his enduring spirit. While his full-scale touring days are winding down, Jackson’s commitment to his music and his fans remains unshaken, providing a powerful testament to his resilience in the face of a degenerative condition. This article provides a deep dive into his diagnosis, the nature of CMT, and the most recent developments in his health journey.

Alan Jackson: A Complete Biographical Profile

Alan Jackson is one of the most successful and respected artists in country music history, widely known for his dedication to the genre's traditional sound.

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• Full Name: Alan Eugene Jackson
• Date of Birth: October 17, 1958
• Place of Birth: Newnan, Georgia, U.S.
• Spouse: Denise Jackson (m. 1979)
• Children: Three daughters: Mattie Denise Jackson, Alexandra Jane Jackson, and Dani Grace Jackson.
• Genre: Country, Traditional Country, Neo-traditional Country
• Career Highlights: More than 80 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, including 35 No. 1 hits. He has sold over 75 million records worldwide.
• Key Albums: A Lot About Livin' (And a Little 'bout Love), Drive, When Somebody Loves You.
• Awards & Honors: Inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame (2001), Country Music Hall of Fame (2017), and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Recipient of the ACM Lifetime Achievement Award (2025).
• Disease Diagnosis: Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, a degenerative neurological disorder.

The Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Diagnosis: What It Means

Alan Jackson's medical condition is not a mystery, but its implications for a touring musician are profound. He was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, a hereditary neurological disorder that affects the peripheral nerves. While he only publicly revealed the diagnosis in 2021 during an interview on the TODAY Show, he has been managing the condition for approximately 15 years.

1. CMT is a Degenerative Neurological Disease

CMT is not a fatal disease, but it is progressive and incurable. It is a type of neuropathy that causes damage to the peripheral nerves—the nerves that transmit signals between the brain and spinal cord and the rest of the body, including the hands and feet.

• Hereditary Nature: Jackson confirmed that he inherited the condition from his father, highlighting its genetic basis.
• Primary Impact: The disease causes muscle weakness and atrophy, primarily in the lower legs and feet, but can also affect the hands and arms as it progresses.
• Symptom Progression: For Jackson, the main struggle is with his balance and mobility, which is a common symptom of the disorder.

2. The Specific Challenges of CMT for a Performer

For a country star who spends hours standing on stage, the symptoms of CMT pose a direct threat to his career. The muscle weakness in the feet often leads to foot deformities like high arches (pes cavus) and curled toes (hammertoes). These deformities, combined with nerve damage, result in significant balance issues.

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Jackson has openly discussed how the disease has affected his ability to walk and stand steadily, which is the primary reason behind his decision to step back from extensive touring. He described the condition as a "neuropathy and neurological disease" that makes it difficult for him to maintain his balance while performing.

2025 Health Update: The Final Tour and Emotional Return

The year 2025 brought significant updates regarding Alan Jackson's health and his future in music, marking a powerful, yet bittersweet, chapter in his career. These recent events provide the freshest context for his ongoing health management.

3. Emotional Appearance at the 2025 ACM Awards

In one of his most significant public appearances since announcing his diagnosis, Alan Jackson made an emotional return to the 60th Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards in May 2025. This appearance was doubly meaningful:

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• Lifetime Achievement: He was honored with the ACM Lifetime Achievement Award, a testament to his three-decade-long career.
• Performance: He took the stage to perform his iconic 2003 track, "Remember When." The performance was deeply moving for fans, as it highlighted his enduring vocal talent while underscoring the physical challenges he now faces.

His appearance was a poignant reminder of the battle he is fighting, yet it also showcased his determination to continue sharing his music despite the physical toll of the degenerative condition.

4. The Management and Prognosis of CMT

While there is currently no cure for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, the symptoms are manageable through various treatments. Jackson's health management plan focuses on maintaining mobility and muscle strength to slow the progression of the disease.

• Physical and Occupational Therapy: These are crucial for maintaining muscle strength, flexibility, and mobility in the affected limbs.
• Assistive Devices: Many individuals with CMT use ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) or other orthopedic devices to help with walking and stability.
• Symptom Relief: Treatment also includes managing chronic pain and discomfort, which can manifest as tingling or burning sensations (neuropathy) in the hands and feet due to sensory nerve damage.

5. The Future: A Final Concert Planned for 2026

The most definitive update on Alan Jackson’s touring career is the announcement of his plan to play his last full-length live concert in 2026. This decision is a direct consequence of the progressive nature of his CMT diagnosis, which has made the demands of a full concert tour increasingly difficult.

This does not mean a complete retirement from music, but rather a necessary shift in his performance schedule. While the era of lengthy, multi-city tours is concluding, Jackson is expected to continue making occasional appearances, performing at special events, and focusing on his songwriting and recording career. His final tour stop serves as both a farewell to the road and a celebration of his monumental legacy in country music, ensuring that his voice and his stories will continue to resonate with fans for years to come.