Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) Gives Music Icon the Organization’s Highest Honor
Hailey Whitters, Lee Ann Womack and Josh Turner Offer Musical Tributes
In the world of country music, few artists have left as indelible a mark as Alan Jackson. His songs, rooted deeply in the lived experiences of life, love, and heartache, have resonated with fans for over three decades. On Tuesday evening in Nashville, Jackson’s remarkable contribution to country music was acknowledged as he received the prestigious Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). The accolade, presented during the annual Nashville Songwriter Awards, honors artists whose body of work has made a significant impact on the American songbook and inspired the careers of fellow musicians.
For Jackson, the secret to great songwriting lies in the honesty of personal experience. “The best songs are pieces of your life you’ve lived,” he shared in his acceptance speech at the famed Ryman Auditorium. His reflections, accompanied by thunderous applause, echoed the sentiment that country music is about more than just catchy melodies—it’s about telling the stories of real people. “When I walk out onstage every night to sing, I tell people I’m going to sing real country music – songs about life and love and heartache and drinkin’ and dancin’ and cryin’ and Mama and having a good time,” he told the crowd.
This philosophy has guided Jackson’s career since the beginning. Though he admitted feeling “a little overwhelmed” by the honor, he acknowledged the support he received throughout his journey. “I’ve been very fortunate. I didn’t know anything about the music business or songwriting. I just came to town… learned a lot… had a lot of help,” he said, thanking his mentors and loved ones, including his wife, Denise. His humble gratitude for his success and the people who helped him along the way made the moment even more poignant. “I’ve been so blessed – as my Mama used to say – every day.”
The Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award is one of the most prestigious honors in country music. Having been presented only six times, it celebrates a lifetime of songwriting achievement, and Jackson was quick to express his admiration for the award’s namesake. “Everybody’s a fan and an admirer of his,” he said of Kristofferson, including himself among those who hold the legendary songwriter in the highest esteem.
As part of the ceremony, Jackson’s songwriting legacy was celebrated with performances of some of his most beloved hits. Rising country star Hailey Whitters performed “Livin’ On Love,” a song Jackson holds close to his heart. His frequent collaborator, Lee Ann Womack, delivered a moving rendition of “Here in the Real World,” while his nephew Adam Wright and Wright’s wife, Shannon, joined her for the performance. Josh Turner took on Jackson’s haunting tribute to Hank Williams, “Midnight in Montgomery,” which Jackson joked is now so high that even he struggles to sing it. “Three songs – three of my favorites,” Jackson noted.
With a career spanning 35 years, Jackson’s songwriting has not only topped charts but has earned him numerous accolades, including inductions into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Grand Ole Opry. He’s racked up nearly 40 ACM and CMA Awards, including three CMA Entertainer of the Year honors, and holds the Heritage Award as ASCAP’s most-performed country songwriter-artist of its first 100 years. Jackson’s catalog boasts 50 Top 10 hits, with 35 of them reaching Number-One—a testament to his lasting influence on country music.
Jackson’s journey isn’t over yet. His “Last Call: One More for the Road” Tour continues this Saturday in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with Lee Ann Womack joining him on stage. The tour will also make stops in Kansas City, Missouri, and Salt Lake City, Utah, with performances lined up into 2025.
For fans of country music, Alan Jackson’s songs are more than just hits—they are timeless stories of life, love, and resilience. And with the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award now among his many accolades, Jackson’s place as one of the genre’s greatest storytellers is cemented for generations to come.
