Carrie Underwood, an eight-time Grammy winner, recently paid tribute to country music legend Alan Jackson at his farewell concert in Nashville. Underwood, who has been open about her admiration for Jackson, shared a heartwarming childhood photo on social media, showing her as a young girl standing in front of a poster of the country star.
"Life has a way of coming full circle," Underwood wrote in an Instagram post. "The very first concert I ever attended was @officialalanjackson back in 1994, and it changed my life." She added that the "little girl posing in front of his poster could have never imagined she’d one day be standing on stage at his farewell concert, celebrating this legendary artist whose music has been such a big part of her life."
Underwood joined a star-studded lineup at the concert, which included Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, and Lainey Wilson, all of whom performed to honor Jackson. The event, held at Nissan Stadium, marked the end of Jackson's performing career amid his ongoing 15-year battle with the genetic disorder Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. He announced his retirement from touring in 2021.
Underwood performed a rendition of Jackson's 1997 song "Everything I Love" during the show. She also shared a video from backstage, singing along to Jackson's 1996 hit "Little Bitty" as he performed. She stated that it was an "incredible and unforgettable night" and an "honor to be part of your special night."
The concert faced a weather delay due to a lightning storm, forcing attendees to seek shelter. However, conditions eventually improved, and the show resumed.
Jackson, 67, chose Nashville for his final performance, citing the city as the place where his career began. "We just felt like we had to end it all where it all started for me, and that’s in Nashville - Music City - where country music lives," he told People magazine.
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is a group of inherited disorders that affect the peripheral nervous system, leading to issues with mobility.
Underwood, now 43, would have been around 10 or 11 years old when she attended Jackson's concert in 1994. Her own rise to superstardom began 11 years later when she competed on and won the fifth season of American Idol.