It?s often said that music fans reflect the personalities of the artists that they follow.
Sometimes, devotees of fairly laid-back artists can lose their cool and rant and complain on fan boards. But rarely do you see messages like that posted on country singer Alan Jackson?s fan site. Most topics range from dinner recipes to family concerns to one fan?s reaction to Jackson, 47, losing an online popularity contest:
“Awww poop. He lost.”
That unaffected attitude reflects the dichotomy of Jackson, 47. Here is a plain-talking man who?s still married to his high school sweetheart, drives a dented pick-up truck and sings about wholesome fun.
But this man?s no bumpkin. He?s savvy enough to have parlayed his talent into 44 million sales, 31 No. 1 hits and 96 major industry awards all without adopting the hard-living personas of past greats, such as Johnny Cash, the showmanship of Keith Urban or other contemporaries.
Some critics contend that Jackson?s lack of swagger is why he wasn?t nominated this year for the Country Music Association?s Entertainer of the Year Award. But Jackson seems to almost shrug off what some consider a snub as he discussed his latest platinum-certified album, “Precious Memories,” that includes such classic as “How Great Thou Art.”
“I love those songs, and they mean a lot to me. I grew up singing just about every one of those,” he said. “And I love that sound, of that organ, and that music really stuck with me and, I?m sure, affected how I hear songs now and write songs, ?cause a lot of those old songs are really pretty simple melodies that stick with you.”
He recorded the album, nominated for CMA?s Album of the Year, as a Christmas gift for his mother.
Jackson?s concert tonight at 1st Mariner Marina, Baltimore, should include a liberal dose of upbeat songs, such as “It?s Five O?clock Somewhere,” plus cuts from his upcoming CD “Like Red on a Rose.”
“Jackson has never sounded better or more invested in his material,” said Billboard of the songs.
The Jackson file
Artist: Alan Jackson
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Sept. 16
Venue: 1st Mariner Marina, Baltimore
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com; 410-547-SEAT
