On Taylor Swift Getting Booed at Alan Jackson’s Final Concert

Alan Jackson played what likely will be his final full concert on Saturday, June 27th at Nissan Stadium in Nashville in a star-studded event, with many artists paying tribute to the country legend either in person, or in performance, and a few via video messages. He even got a shout out from one of the biggest musical performers in all of the world, and one not completely unfamiliar with Alan Jackson in the form of Taylor Swift, who appeared on the big video screens at the concert saying,

“I appreciate you so much for the ways that you have treated me and other artists and writers with just such support and encouragement over the years. I am so excited for you and your show, and I just appreciate you so much.”

As has been pretty widely reported, as the visage of Taylor Swift was displayed at the concert, it was met with a showering of boos. Looking through the videos, you can also hear plenty of cheers. In truth, it was probably a mixed reception for Swift as opposed to a negative one. But when half a stadium is shouting boos at you, it’s not a good look. Why was this the reception for Taylor Swift, and what does it say about country fans and their feelings on the former pop country star?

First, it feels fair to point out that irrespective of the public perception or reception for Taylor Swift, booing her in that specific instance where she took of her time to say something sweet about Alan Jackson feels pretty classless and out-of-touch. Taylor Swift didn’t have to send a message to Alan Jackson at all. Perhaps to some, seeing Taylor Swift as part of the presentation probably came unexpected. But it probably shouldn’t have.

Early in her country music career, Taylor Swift cited Alan Jackson as a significant influence, and specifically was inspired by the way he wrote most of his own songs, and specifically his own hits, and wasn’t afraid to share personal details through them. Even in the ’90s, this was unusual, and would help set the foundation of how Swift would approach her own songwriting.

More specifically, Taylor Swift has paid tribute to Alan Jackson previously over the years. In 2008 when Taylor Swift was a rising star in country, she sang Alan Jackson’s song “Drive (For Daddy Gene)” on a CMT Giants special in tribute to Jackson. The song is a perfect example of personalizing songwriting that directly inspired Swift.

Taylor also sang “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” in tribute to Alan Jackson in 2011 when he was being inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. She also would perform the song in concert occasionally. At this point, Swift was not some budding starlet trying to get face time. She was the reigning, two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year. Again, she didn’t have to take of her time. But she did for Alan Jackson.

Strangely, Taylor Swift was attacked in 2024 for not addressing the passing of Toby Keith. In the wake of the country star’s death, it became a national narrative how Swift was supposedly ignoring the death, despite Toby Keith supposedly “discovering” Taylor Swift—or at least, this is how some media outlets characterized it. But in truth, Keith had little to do with Taylor Swift’s career or discovery, except being a money man behind Big Machine Records. It was Scott Borchetta who was responsible for Swift’s country career.

Journalist and political commentator Matt Couch called out Swift on X/Twitter at the time saying, “Going to be interesting to see what [Swift] says about Toby Keith.. Without Toby Keith there wouldn’t be a Taylor Swift.. Toby signed her to his record label and gave her, her start..”

Country artist and political commentator John Rich also chimed in, “When is Taylor Swift going to share some words about Toby Keith? The man who discovered her, got her the 1st record deal? Taylor, where are you today? #TobyKeith”

But none of these characterizations were true. It was an internet canard. Interestingly, after the recent passing of legendary music producer Clive Davis, some attributed Alan Jackson’s discovery to Clive. But similar to Taylor Swift and Toby Keith, it was all a monetary affiliation.

The same people who booed Taylor Swift at Alan Jackson’s last concert probably would have used it as a vector of attack if Swift had paid tribute to Toby Keith in some capacity. As another right-wing political commentator Matt Walsh has pointed out, attacking Taylor Swift seems out-of-bounds, and unhelpful to the conservative cause due to her otherwise general popularity, and very mild political positioning.

Of course, the other factor here is the ubiquitousness of Taylor Swift and her soon-to-be husband Travis Kelce. This is certainly a significant reason for the booing. Taylor Swift would probably receive boos from virtually any audience beyond a Kansas City Chiefs football game these days.

How do country fans, and specifically Alan Jackson fans feel about Taylor Swift? It’s probably fair to say there might be some animosity there. Taylor Swift was responsible for pulling country more pop than ever in her short-lived country career. But then she plopped $4 million on the counter of the Country Music Hall of Fame and went pop officially over a decade ago, not wanting to deceive herself or country fans that she was “country” for any longer. For many, that honesty meant Taylor Swift left the genre on good terms.

But this brings us back to Taylor Swift’s current single, “I Knew It, I Knew You” from the Toy Story 5 soundtrack. The song has been on a curious tear on country radio. It debuted at #8 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart—the first time a single from a woman has debuted in the Top 10 on that chart since it was first published in 1990, and only the second single to ever do so behind “More Than A Memory” from Garth Brooks that debuted at #1 in 2007.

The adoption of the song by country radio has been massive, even historic. But was it really warranted? The song itself felt pretty mild even for a pop hit, and it’s country bonafides are lacking as well. The song continues to be a top-rated track on country radio. But when you look at a stadium full of country music fans booing Taylor Swift and superimpose that on her massive success at country radio, it’s very telling.

Taylor Swift shouldn’t have been booed paying tribute to Alan Jackson. But she shouldn’t be the hottest thing on country radio either. As the boos illustrated, reception for Taylor Swift among the country community is mixed. But as the water carrier for the industry, country radio will play, promote, and prop up whatever they’re told to. This is one of the ultimate takeaway from Taylor Swift’s reception at Alan Jackson’s final concert.

If country radio was actually gauging public appeal, they would probably be playing Alan Jackson’s new cover of “Still The One.”

If anything deserves to be booed, it’s how aging artists like Alan Jackson are pushed off of country radio and popular award shows even when they’re still filling stadiums worth of fans, and sometimes still releasing relevant music. But Taylor Swift taking of her time to pay tribute to Alan Jackson? Irrespective of how you feel about Swift or her music, that deserves our applause. Taylor showed more class and respect for Alan Jackson than country radio did late in his career.

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