June 28, 2026, 9:55 a.m. ET
NASHVILLE − At Alan Jackson’s last live performance, he welcomed an in depth buddy to the stage: George Strait.
The nation music legend closed his touring profession with “Alan Jackson: Final Name − The Finale” at Nissan Stadium on June 27 in entrance of a sold-out crowd.
Earlier than Jackson took the stage, fellow nation stars together with Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and Lainey Wilson paid tribute to his profession.
“You would possibly acknowledge this man,” Jackson mentioned about midway by means of his set.
Strait strolled out on stage, drawing cheers.
Collectively, the 2 traded off verses on their 2002 hit “Designated Drinker.”
Harmonizing on the refrain, they sang: “I simply misplaced the one which wrapped me ‘around her finger / Yeah, I have to get to the place I am unable to consider her / So tonight, I am the designated drinker.”
“I introduced you a Jack (Daniel’s) water,” Strait mentioned after the tune, handing Jackson a cup. “So good to be right here with the legend, Mr. Alan Jackson.”
“Let’s do this different tune we used to do,” Jackson replied, main into their 1999 monitor “Homicide on Music Row,” a tune that metaphorically laments the decline of conventional nation music.
The title additionally echoes the 1989 killing of Nashville music writer Kevin Hughes on Music Row, the topic of The Tennessean’s 2024 true-crime podcast by the identical title.
Jackson, 67, is retiring from touring due to a continual inherited neurological situation, Charcot-Marie-Tooth illness.
Jackson’s last present was broadcast reside at a number of places throughout Nashville, together with Decrease Broadway. It’ll additionally air as a prime-time tv particular and stream on Peacock later this yr.
What to find out about Alan Jackson, George Strait’s friendship
Strait and Jackson are longtime nation music friends, each well-known for sustaining the “neotraditional” nation music sound.
The 73-year-old “Amarillo By Morning” singer met Jackson within the late Nineteen Eighties in Nashville.
Through the years, they’ve co-headlined huge occasions collectively, from dueting on the CMA Awards to their iconic 2004 look throughout “Dwell at Texas Stadium” in Dallas alongside Jimmy Buffett. Additionally they recorded duets collectively, like “Homicide on Music Row” (Strait’s album) and “Designated Drinker” (Jackson’s album).
Strait retired from touring in 2014 with a last live performance tour: “The Cowboy Rides Away Tour.”
Greater than a decade in the past, Strait tapped Jackson to take part within the last present of that tour, a three-hour live performance marathon at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, spanning 40 songs.
The present drew 104,793 followers, setting a North American report for the most important attendance at a single-show indoor stadium live performance − breaking the report beforehand held by the Rolling Stones since 1981.
Though Strait has continued to carry out at restricted engagements and residencies, the present marked the tip of his conventional, full-scale touring profession.
Now, the favor has come full circle, with Jackson inviting Strait to affix him for the ultimate official present of his touring profession.
