He Tried to Hold It In — But Broke Down on Stage: Alan Jackson’s Emotional Collapse Stuns ACM Awards Crowd

Alan Jackson held back tears while accepting the first-ever ACM Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 ACM Awards on Thursday, May 8.

Live from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, ACM Awards host Reba McEntire presented the country music legend with the coveted award after his tear-jerking performance of “Remember When.”
“Alan, you know we love you,” McEntire before handing the trophy to Jackson. “It’s quite an honor.”

Alan Jackson Accept ACM Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award
Jackson then stepped up to the microphone to make an acceptance speech. “Usually one of my fans tells me they named their dog after me, and I thought that was really something,” the 66-year-old country music icon said while accepting the prestigious honor. “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 that have been part of my life and career, that helped me get here and maintain this all this time.”

He then went on to thank his wife of 45 years, Denise Jackson, “the one person, who’s been my best friend since I was 17 years old — That’s my wife Denise out there. She’s loved me through the good and the bad, the happy and the sad. Influenced me, gave me three beautiful daughters, and she’s helped me keep my feet on the ground all these years. I would not be here without her.” VIDEO BELOW