George Strait surprises fans at Alan Jackson’s farewell concert
The Country Music Hall of Famer joined Jackson onstage for “Designated Drinker” and “Murder on Music Row” before a sold-out Nissan Stadium crowd.
NASHVILLE − At Alan Jackson’s final concert, he welcomed a close friend to the stage: George Strait.
The country music legend closed his touring career with “Alan Jackson: Last Call − The Finale” at Nissan Stadium on June 27 in front of a sold-out crowd.
Before Jackson took the stage, fellow country stars including Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and Lainey Wilson paid tribute to his career.
“You might recognize this man,” Jackson said about halfway through his set.
Strait strolled out on stage, drawing cheers.
Together, the two traded off verses on their 2002 hit “Designated Drinker.”
Harmonizing on the chorus, they sang: “I just lost the one that wrapped me ’round her finger / Yeah, I need to get to where I can’t think of her / So tonight, I’m the designated drinker.”
“I brought you a Jack (Daniel’s) water,” Strait said after the song, handing Jackson a cup. “So good to be here with the legend, Mr. Alan Jackson.”
“Let’s do that other song we used to do,” Jackson replied, leading into their 1999 track “Murder on Music Row,” a song that metaphorically laments the decline of traditional country music.
The title also echoes the 1989 killing of Nashville music publisher Kevin Hughes on Music Row, the subject of The Tennessean’s 2024 true-crime podcast by the same name.
Jackson, 67, is retiring from touring because of a chronic inherited neurological condition, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
Jackson’s final show was broadcast live at several locations across Nashville, including Lower Broadway. It will also air as a prime-time television special and stream on Peacock later this year.
What to know about Alan Jackson, George Strait’s friendship
Strait and Jackson are longtime country music peers, both famous for maintaining the “neotraditional” country music sound.
The 73-year-old “Amarillo By Morning” singer met Jackson in the late 1980s in Nashville.
Over the years, they’ve co-headlined massive events together, from dueting at the CMA Awards to their iconic 2004 appearance during “Live at Texas Stadium” in Dallas alongside Jimmy Buffett. They also recorded duets together, like “Murder on Music Row” (Strait’s album) and “Designated Drinker” (Jackson’s album).
Strait retired from touring in 2014 with a final concert tour: “The Cowboy Rides Away Tour.”
More than a decade ago, Strait tapped Jackson to participate in the final show of that tour, a three-hour concert marathon at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, spanning 40 songs.
The show drew 104,793 fans, setting a North American record for the largest attendance at a single-show indoor stadium concert − breaking the record previously held by the Rolling Stones since 1981.
Although Strait has continued to perform at limited engagements and residencies, the show marked the end of his traditional, full-scale touring career.
Now, the favor has come full circle, with Jackson inviting Strait to join him for the final official show of his touring career.