The Rise of Alan Jackson • Panel Discussion, 2015
Interviews
•
1h 18m
A panel of Alan Jackson's collaborators and friends—including record label executives Tim DuBois and Mike Dungan, songwriter Jim McBride, and longtime bandmates Danny Groah and Roger Wills—come together to discuss the Country Music Hall of Fame member's rise during this 2015 program at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
DuBois remembers the first time he saw Jackson perform at the popular Nashville venue Douglas Corner, and offering Jackson the very first record deal with Artist Records Nashville; Dungan describes being struck by Jackson’s demo tape of “Here in the Real World,” and the singer’s humility and honesty. DuBois and Dungan both reflect on their initial concern over Jackson’s quiet, press-shy personality, but how it ultimately aided his career.
McBride remembers bonding with Jackson during their first writing session, and talks about writing “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow” and “Chattahoochee.”
Groah and Wills each tell the story of how they became part of Jackson’s band. Groah likens Jackson to Hank Williams, in his ability to draw in an audience while he performs, and Wills tells the story of how “Don’t Rock the Jukebox” was written.
The panelists also share personal observations about Alan Jackson's generosity and convictions, and how they've threaded into his career. Among those instances: Jackson swapping out his own song to perform George Jones’s “Choices” on the CMA Awards, in protest of Jones not being given the time to perform his song in its entirety; and Jackson’s “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning,” written about September 11 and performed last minute on the 2001 CMA Awards show.
Presented in support of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum exhibition “Alan Jackson: 25 Years of Keepin’ It Country” (August 29, 2014, through June 21, 2015).
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