The register and range of a young Alan Jackson… gives me chills.
Packing every bit of the punch from his own classics like “She’s Got the Rhythm (And I Got the Blues)” and “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” Jackson knows how to give a classic cover his best touch.
Alan’s version of “Lovesick Blues,” paid tribute to Hank Williams on a 1991 episode of American Music Shop. Hosted by Gary Morris, the music show featured a different country artist each week and sometimes resulted in neat collaborations or covers like this one.
Written by Cliff Friend and Irving Mills, “Lovesick Blues” was originally performed for the Tin Pan Alley musical in 1922 and then was recorded by Elsie Clark and Jack Shea in the same year. That of course means the roots of the song are 100 years old.
However, far removed from that era, most have attributed Hank Williams to the classic, and it was later covered by everybody from Marty Robbins and Patsy Cline, to George Strait, Ryan Adams, and even little Mason Ramsey who went viral singing it in a damn Walmart.
But here, Alan Jackson’s yodeling skills really shine through, and I think you can go ahead and say he did Williams justice.
And talk about this for an introduction:
“The guy who is about to come out and sing… the women… you’ll start grabbing your shirt and I don’t know what it is…
He’s a great artist, he’s on Arista Records, please make welcome… Mr. Alan Jackson.”
A Young Alan Jackson Sings “He Stopped Loving Her Today” On A TV Singing Competition
It’s always cool seeing some old footage of country music superstars, before anybody even knew who they were.
It’s also crazy to me how many stars competed in these singing competitions, trying to get their name out there, and didn’t even win.
Miranda Lambert and Kacey Musgraves both got their start on Nashville Star – and neither of them won. Morgan Wallen was on The Voice and didn’t make it out of the playoff rounds to compete on the live shows. And the list goes on and on.
It just goes to show how these “competitions” really don’t mean all that much when it comes to finding the next big thing.
But every once in a while, somebody comes through one of these shows and ends up going on to become a superstar… and I guess that’s what keeps us all watching.
For example?
Mr. Alan Jackson.
After digging through the vaults, I found an old video from the man himself, competing on the Tennessee News Network’s show You Can Be A Star, a daily talent show featuring amateur country singers, way back in 1985.
Just think, the man was only 27-years-old, no albums to his name, and he was doing everything he possibly could to put his name out there.
In the video, “Al” absolutely CRUSHED George Jones’ hit, “He Stopped Loving Her Today.”
Little did everybody in that room know they were getting to watch a country mega-star in the making.
Talk about the right place at the right time.
Alan Jackson Sings At George Jones’ Funeral
Alan Jackson would later go on to perform at George Jones’ funeral, many years later.
A video resurfaced on YouTube of Alan Jackson singing at country legend George Jones‘ funeral back in 2013, covering one of Jones’ all-time classics: “He Stopped Loving Her Today.”
Fighting back the tears, Jackson delivers an incredible rendition to the crowd, the auditorium at the Grand Ole Opry erupting with claps and cheers as he hits the crescendo of the ’80s classic.
You can tell Alan was doing his best to keep from breaking down, as Jones was an inspiration to himself as well as tons of other country music singers. But as he approaches the final notes, he just can’t quite fight it any longer.
He pulls off his cowboy hat for one last goodbye, and with a tear in his eye, works up the strength to say, “We love you, George.”
Talk about cutting DEEP.
