Alan Jackson, a renowned country music artist, and his family have faced challenges despite their remarkable achievements and wealth. The family is still grieving the loss of Ben Selecman, their son-in-law, who died in a boating accident in 2018. Ben, who was only 28 years old and married to Mattie Jackson Selecman, tragically passed away while helping a lady onto a boat. He tripped and injured his head, leading to extremely traumatic head injuries that proved fatal despite being rushed to the hospital.
Ben’s colleagues at the Davidson County District Attorney Glenn Funk, where he worked as an Assistant District Attorney, praised his sense of humor and unmistakable determination, highlighting his significant contributions to the community.
The family tragedy deeply affected Alan Jackson, who cites it as a key inspiration for his 2015 album Angels & Alcohol and his most recent release, Where Have You Gone earlier this year. Mattie, who has been mourning the death of her spouse for three years, has had her father’s support throughout this difficult time.
Although Alan Jackson’s daughters have influenced many of his legendary country songs, this marks the first time they have collaborated on a project. Fans of the singer can acquire the song for free by purchasing Mattie’s new book, Lemons on Friday: Trusting God Through My Greatest Heartbreak. The book delves into Mattie’s journey of coping with her husband’s death and how she turned to her faith for healing. Additionally, Mattie discusses how her grief motivated her to co-found NaSHEville, a firm aimed at empowering women in Music City.
A preface for the book was written by Alan Jackson and his wife, Denise Jackson, a renowned novelist, and New York Times best-selling author. They shared their own experiences following the loss of their daughter’s husband, which included finding new ways to support her and grieving the loss of a dear family member. Their openness and resilience in sharing their story stand as a tribute to the potency of love, faith, and community in times of adversity.
On November 16th, the country music industry saw the release of a new project titled Lemons. Unfortunately, Alan Jackson’s personal life has also been hit by health concerns. In a candid interview last year, Alan shared that he has been grappling with severe health issues for some time now. Specifically, Alan has been dealing with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a degenerative nerve ailment he inherited from his father. This illness affects the peripheral nerve system, making it difficult for Alan to walk and maintain his balance. The damage caused by the disease is typically concentrated in the extremities’ smaller, weaker muscles, particularly in the legs and arms.
Despite the disease’s adverse impact on his health, Alan is determined to stay in the spotlight and continue performing for his fans. Although the diagnosis has been a hard blow, Alan has a solid support system in the form of his wife, Denise. The couple has been together since high school and tied the knot in 1979 when they were both 19 years old. Their marriage has weathered many challenges and hardships over the years, but they have always emerged stronger.
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Denise Jackson, Alan’s wife, battled colorectal cancer in 2010, but with the help of chemotherapy, she successfully overcame the illness. This difficult experience helped both Alan and Denise to appreciate life even more. Recently, the couple celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary and had more reason to rejoice as they welcomed their first grandchild, Jackson Alvie Bradshaw, on December 13, 2022. The news brought immense joy not only to Alan and Denise but also to their daughter Ali and her husband Sam Bradshaw. The picture below shows the happiness that comes with the arrival of a new family member.
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Alan Jackson’s battle with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease has been a tough journey for the country music icon. The hereditary degenerative nerve disease causes balance problems and affects the smaller muscles in the arms and legs. Despite the challenges, Alan remains determined to keep making music and continue touring. His determination and resilience in the face of adversity are an inspiration to many. With the support and love of his wife and family, Alan is well-equipped to tackle this new chapter in his life.
Denise and I are celebrating our 43rd wedding anniversary with our new grandson Jackson Alvie Bradshaw.
Ali and Sam welcomed Jack into the world on Dec 13, 2022.
So happy that this little guy has made us grandparents! -AJ pic.twitter.com/gc9PghhUtg
— Alan Jackson (@OfficialJackson) December 15, 2022