Alan Jackson From Another Perspective

This was written as a tribute to one of the most brilliant and lyrically relevant singer songwriters in all music today, and especially in Country music.

I've been to see Alan Jackson many, many times in the last 19 years. We first saw him perform live in Landover, Maryland in 1993. I've lost count of how many concerts we have been to, but every single one was a unique blessing and an experience that I am thankful for.

After penning the beautiful and emotional ballad "Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning" in October of 2001, Alan Jackson's inspirational anthem of hope helped a nation to heal. And later, his lyrics went into the Congressional Record, entered on November 16, 2001, to be preserved in a National archive for future generations.

Often called "The Hank Williams" of today's country music, Alan Jackson is an amazingly gifted communicator and has been blessed with a very special gift and for that I am forever grateful ~ Both to God for blessing him with this amazing gift and to Alan Jackson for sharing his gift with the world.

Here is my special tribute to a brilliant artist, Mr. Alan Jackson.

I've been with Alan for his whole career. I've seen him from the beginning when he first began “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” taking a ride through the “Dog River Blues,” reminiscing about “Home,” and living “Here In The Real World.”

The one thing I’ve learned is that he always pours his heart and soul into his writing. Whether it’s a fun song like “Don’t Rock The Jukebox,” or “Chattahoochee,” or seriously sad, introspective songs like “Gone Crazy,” and “The Sounds.” I was there when he wrote brilliant lines like “A pyramid of cans in the pale moonlight,” and lines like “it’s hard to learn what you don’t think you need, you can’t live without,” and the eloquent “I can hear the memories as they echo off the wall, falling from the pictures down the hall.” I was there as he painted the pictures we see in our minds through his words when we hear a hauntingly soulful song like “Midnight In Montgomery.”

More recently, I’ve seen a teardrop or two when he shared his stunningly emotional ballad about the events of September 11^th, 2001, called “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning).” The brilliance and simplicity of lyrics like “did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers, stand in line and give your own blood, did you just stay home and cling tight to your family, and thank God you had somebody to love” are unmatched by most of the writers today in Nashville (or anywhere, in any other genre of music for that matter).

I’ve been there through the funny songs like “I Don’t Even Know Your Name,” and most recently, “Work In Progress.” Lines like “I was sittin’ in a roadhouse down on highway 41, you were wipin’ off the ketchup on a table that was done,” and “I read that book you gave me about Mars and Venus, I think it’s sinkin’ in but I probably need to re-read it,” are not only funny, but who else could rhyme words like “Venus” with “re-read it,” and make it WORK?

And I know most of us will never forget the poignant glimpse into Alan’s life through the song “Drive” that he wrote in loving memory of his Daddy Gene. Not only was he able to share a part of his own life, he was able to bring back memories we have ALL had about our parents, or whoever it was who had the biggest influence on our lives, and those who taught US to drive. He has that ability to touch people through words, write it in a personal way, and from his heart. People are totally able to relate to every word he is saying and apply it to their own life.

Therein lies the brilliance of a smart, funny man, who has been blessed with an AMAZING songwriting talent.

I’ve been on his bus, in his office, probably even in his pocket a time or two, I don’t really remember… what am I?

I’m Alan’s songwriting pencil!

I hope to be there for many more years to come, sharing the lyrics that come straight from the heart of a very good man, a gentle soul, smart, creative, and gifted. And I hope to continue to help him to write words that move people to tears of healing, bring a smile, and make them feel hope and love in a world where those things sometimes seem to be missing. I’ll wait patiently until he picks me up again, and I will be the first one to see what the future holds creatively for Alan Jackson.