Country music superstar Carrie Underwood marked Alan Jackson's farewell concert by sharing a nostalgic childhood photo and reflecting on the full-circle moment.
Underwood, an eight-time Grammy winner, posted a throwback image of herself as a child standing in front of a poster of Alan Jackson, a prominent figure in 1990s country music. The photo was shared in conjunction with Jackson's final concert, held in Nashville.
Jackson, 67, recently performed his farewell show amidst a 15-year battle with the genetic disorder Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. The concert featured a lineup of notable country artists, including Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, Lainey Wilson, and LeeAnn Womack, who paid tribute to the legendary musician. Underwood was among the artists who took the stage.
"Life has a way of coming full circle," Underwood wrote in a caption accompanying the photo on Instagram. "The very first concert I ever attended was @officialalanjackson back in 1994, and it changed my life."
She further reflected on the experience, stating, "This 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 expressed her honor in being part of the event, calling it "an incredible and unforgettable night."
The post also included a video of Underwood in the wings of the concert, singing along as Jackson performed his 1996 song "Little Bitty." Underwood, who was around 10 or 11 years old when she attended Jackson's concert in 1994, rose to fame after competing on American Idol 11 years later.
Jackson's farewell concert, held at Nissan Stadium, experienced a weather delay due to a lightning storm, which prompted attendees to seek shelter. The venue released a statement about the delay, but fans were eventually able to return to their seats.
Before Jackson's appearance, Underwood performed a rendition of his 1997 song "Everything I Love." The concert also included a video message from Taylor Swift, who thanked Jackson for his contributions to music and his impact on fans.
Jackson announced his final show's date and location in October, citing his ongoing struggle with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a condition he publicly disclosed a decade after his diagnosis in 2011. He chose Nashville for his finale, calling it "Music City - where country music lives."
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is a group of inherited disorders that affect the peripheral nervous system, potentially leading to mobility issues.