Alan Jackson's highly anticipated retirement concert, "Last Call: One More For The Road - The Finale," experienced a chaotic delay on Saturday evening as severe weather swept through Nashville. The show, held at Nissan Stadium, was halted due to lightning approaching the outdoor venue, forcing attendees to seek shelter.
The stadium issued a statement via X, formerly Twitter, advising fans to proceed to covered areas of the concourses or interior spaces while the storm passed. Opry announcer Kelly Sutton also encouraged attendees to "shelter in place" until the inclement weather cleared.
Approximately 9:25 p.m., the weather warning was lifted, and fans were permitted to return to their seats. The venue confirmed that Jackson would take the stage shortly thereafter. The concert featured numerous celebrity guests celebrating Jackson's career, including Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, and Lee Ann Womack.
The sold-out event marked the final performance for the 67-year-old country music star, known for hits like "Remember When" and "Livin' On Love." Jackson had announced his retirement and the date of his final concert in October of the previous year, stating his desire to conclude his career in Nashville, the city where it began.
Jackson's retirement comes amidst a 15-year battle with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a rare genetic disorder he was diagnosed with in 2011 and publicly disclosed in September 2021. The disease affects peripheral nerves, leading to symptoms such as muscle weakness, sensory loss, and impaired mobility and balance, which have impacted his stage performance.
During his career, Jackson released 21 studio albums, signing with Arista Records in 1989. He rose to prominence in the 1990s with hits like "Here In The Real World," "I'd Love You All Over Again," and "Chattahoochee."
A portion of the proceeds from each ticket sale for the farewell show was designated to the CMT Research Foundation, an organization dedicated to finding treatments and cures for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. The foundation notes that there are currently no cures or treatments available for the progressive condition.