Introduction
Alan Jackson’s 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards performance of “Remember When” stands as one of the most poignant moments in recent country music history. Against the backdrop of his farewell tour and ongoing battle with Charcot‑Marie‑Tooth (CMT) disease, the 66‑year‑old legend delivered a stripped-down, heartfelt rendition of his 2003 smash—leaving nearly everyone in the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, moved to tears .
Released in October 2003 as the final single from Greatest Hits Volume II, “Remember When” dominated the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for two weeks and secured its place as one of Jackson’s most beloved ballads The reflective lyrics trace a lifetime of love—from youthful romance to raising children—and carry an extra layer of significance as Jackson performed it amid the emotional culmination of his touring career.
That night, the ACM Awards introduced the inaugural Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award—forever linking his legacy to the ceremony Presented by Reba McEntire, the new honor recognized Jackson’s decades of influence and trailblazing dedication to traditional country music . In accepting the award, Jackson recalled arriving in Nashville with “a paper sack full of songs and a crazy dream,” thanked God, his fans, and notably his wife Denise, whom he described as his “best friend since I was 17” .
Battling CMT since 2021—a neurological condition that affects his mobility and balance—Jackson was transparent with fans, explaining that physical challenges in no way diminished his passion for performance . Yet even as CMT forced him to slow down, his voice, emotion, and legacy only grew more powerful.
Tonight’s performance felt like a final, deeply personal gift. With soft lighting and the song’s original video guiding the mood, Jackson’s delivery was raw and sincere. It wasn’t flashy—not at all. Instead, it was a testament to the enduring bond between artist and audience, momentarily bridging past and present as he invited everyone to “remember when”—and to cherish every chapter of life.