On May 8, country music’s biggest stars gathered at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, for the 60th Annual ACM Awards. But the night’s most unforgettable moment came when Alan Jackson, one of the genre’s most enduring legends, broke down in tears as he accepted the first-ever ACM Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award, presented by Reba McEntire following Jackson’s heart-wrenching performance of his classic hit “Remember When,” was met with a standing ovation from the packed arena. As McEntire embraced her longtime friend, she said simply, “Alan, you know we love you. It’s quite an honor.”
When Jackson stepped to the microphone, emotions quickly overwhelmed him. “Usually one of my fans tells me they named their dog after me, and I thought that was really something,” the 66-year-old began, his voice cracking. “I came to Nashville with a paper sack full of songs and a crazy dream, and that all these years later I’m standing here receiving such an honor is mind-blowing. I thank God all the time, for all the people who’ve been part of my life and career, that helped me get here and maintain this all this time.”
Tears flowed hardest when Jackson turned to honor his wife of 45 years, Denise. “She’s the one person who’s been my best friend since I was 17 years old,” he said, his voice breaking as the camera caught Denise wiping her eyes in the audience. “She’s loved me through the good and the bad, the happy and the sad. She gave me three beautiful daughters and helped me keep my feet on the ground all these years. I would not be here without her.” The audience responded with thunderous applause as the couple shared a tender glance across the stage.
The rest of the night celebrated six decades of country music history, opening with a 12-minute medley featuring Clint Black, Wynonna Judd, Dan + Shay, LeAnn Rimes, Sugarland, and McEntire herself. Major performances from Lainey Wilson, Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Eric Church, Cody Johnson, Blake Shelton, and many more kept the energy high, while special collaborations — including Jelly Roll with Shaboozey and Brooks & Dunn with Cody Johnson — brought fans to their feet.
One of the biggest surprises came when the Backstreet Boys joined Rascal Flatts for a nostalgic cross-genre performance, while Reba, Miranda, and Lainey debuted their powerful new track “Trailblazers.” The mix of timeless classics and new anthems underscored just how far country music has come — and how much it still looks to legends like Jackson for inspiration.
The event drew A-list presenters from across music and entertainment, including Martina McBride, Gabby Barrett, Lionel Richie, Little Big Town, Crystal Gayle, and even NASCAR’s Chase Elliott. Hosted by McEntire, a 16-time ACM Award winner, the show streamed live in more than 240 countries through Prime Video and Amazon Music’s Twitch channel, solidifying its global reach.
But amid all the spectacle, it was Alan Jackson’s trembling voice and heartfelt words that defined the evening. His collapse into tears wasn’t weakness — it was a moment of truth, humility, and gratitude from a man who has given so much to country music. On a night full of stars, Jackson shone the brightest, reminding the world why his songs — and his story — will forever be woven into the fabric of country history.
