Alan’s Blank Canvas, Night One at the CMA Theater

Pictured (L-R): Alan Jackson and Kyle Young, director of Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Photo: Nathan Baugh/courtesy of Alan Jackson

“What you hear tonight will only happen once,” said the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Kyle Young, welcoming Alan Jackson’s sold-out crowd to the 800-seat CMA Theater.

Yesterday evening (Oct. 8) was the first of Jackson’s two-night residency, part of a CMHoF tradition where artists who have contributed a significant body of work to American popular music are given a “blank canvas” for their performance. Previous residency artists such as Connie Smith, Kris Kristofferson, Vince Gill and Ricky Skaggs have included special guests or embraced a listening room vibe, but Jackson brought his full stage show complete with 8-person band, video wall, and of course, his hits.

Selections from Jackson’s 50 top-10 songs filled his 2.5-hour set. The legend even previewed a new song to a standing ovation. “Angels and Alcohol” is one of 10 songs he is preparing for a 2015 release on EMI Nashville/ACR.

Relying on his wife Denise in the balcony, Jackson candidly recounted stories of his family, his early days as a demo singer on Travis Tritt’s “Country Club,” and inspiration behind records that went on to sell nearly 60 million units worldwide. “You know I’m 55, turn 56 next week,” said Jackson when he lost track of a thought on stage. Among numerous titles, he recalled:

Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

• “Gone Country”—I about always kick off my shows with that song. Bob McDill wrote that song when Country was taking off after ’89.
• “Home”—”Best I can remember, this is the first song I wrote. It’s a true story,” he recalled of the log home still standing on land given from their parents.
• “I Don’t Even Know Your Name”—We always call it “Toothless.” Denise’s brother always pitched the title when we would go home at Christmas. I gave him and his son songwriter credit on it.
• “Wanted” and “All Over Again”—written in the same day in the rain in Pine Bluff, Ark.
• “She’s Got The Rhythm (I Got The Blues)”—One of three songs written with Randy Travis after his then-wife and manager lured Jackson with cornbread to their bus to write. The session also resulted in “Better Class of Losers” and “Forever Together.”
• “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)”—I didn’t write that, God just sent it down through me. Faith, Hope and Love are just from The Bible.
• “Good Time”—I got the idea after watching my girls in cheerleading.

The open-to-the-public event included industry executives seated alongside fans who cheered with homemade signs and, during the encore, sought autographs on boots, programs and even a doll. Of course, Jackson obliged as he is known to on his road show.

One noticeable departure from his arena show was candid conversation with the audience. The crowd replied in asking, “How are you holding up?” Jackson said, “I’m holding up…This is a beautiful little room but it sure does get quiet after y’all stop talking.”

It is a true superstar whose dexterity transcends from an arena to a small venue. Jackson has long treated audiences of all sizes to performances of his masterclass catalog of hits. Although complaining of his ragweed allergy, Jackson was in top performance in a room that reflects vocal honesty. But above all, the truth of his lyric is most mesmerizing and for that, he’s already in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Jackson’s second sold out Artist-In-Residence performance with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is slated for the same venue, on Oct. 22. Alan Jackson: 25 Years of Keepin’ It Country will be on display upstairs, there, until March 30, 2015.