Alan Jackson Gets Artistic Tribute in His Hometown
Country Music Hall of Famer Alan Jackson is larger than life in the minds of many country music fans, and now his towering likeness adorns a prominent location in his birthplace of Newnan, Georgia, where he was born 60 years ago this Wednesday (10-17).
On the side of the Redneck Gourmet building at 11 North Court Square in downtown Newnan, a 20 x 40-foot mural of Jackson is now displayed, inspired by the cover of his 6X Platinum-selling record A Lot About Livin’ an a Little ‘Bout Love from 1992. It is the handiwork of muralist Tim Davis, who began working on the painting on September 29th as the current artist-in-residence in Newnan. Davis is also known for painting the mural on the side of Legends Corner on Lower Broadway in Nashville that features 13 country stars, including Jackson. Local residents hope that it helps attract tourists to Newnan to see the mural.
Alan Jackson was born in Newnan, Georgia in 1958, and grew up on Gospel and the music of artists such as Gene Watson and John Anderson. At the age of 27, he moved with his wife to Nashville to pursue music as a career. In a classic story of climbing the country music ladder, Jackson’s career started as a mail boy in the offices of TNN. Glen Campbell helped get Jackson’s singing career started, and by 1989 he was signed to Arista Nashville. He went on to sell an astounding 60 million records worldwide, record thirty-five #1 hits, fifty Top 10 hits, earn two Grammy Awards, and 16 Country Music Association Awards including Entertainer of the Year in 1995, 2002, and 2003.
Jackson currently lives just outside of Franklin, TN with his high school sweetheart he met in Newnan, Denise Jackson. Alan Jackson had planned to make an appearance at the mural once it was complete, but after the recent death of Jackson’s son-in-law Ben Selecman, no appearance date has been able to be confirmed.
October 16, 2018 @ 10:04 am
Nice! A very well done and fitting tribute.
October 16, 2018 @ 1:41 pm
I was born and raised in Newnan! Alan Jackson is our hero and icon for sure.
October 16, 2018 @ 1:57 pm
Only live about 20 minutes from Newnan will be going to see it.
October 16, 2018 @ 3:53 pm
While AJ totally deserves this recognition, LOVE his respect for real Country Music, the Class Of ’89 (early 90’s glory days) produced more than 1 country legend from Georgia ☺ ! Think Alan’s fans would agree and attend a Doug Stone show ? Bet Alan would !
October 16, 2018 @ 7:26 pm
The only other Georgia country “legend” from ’89 besides Alan would be Travis Tritt.
October 16, 2018 @ 5:52 pm
I started listening to Alan in the 90’s when i was about 18 and been a fan ever since of all his music including his gospel music.
October 16, 2018 @ 9:04 pm
Although I love him as an artist knowing he cheated on his devoted wife makes me think he’s somewhat undeserving these days. I know this comment will get a lot of backlash but I’m entitled to my opinion as we all are.
October 17, 2018 @ 3:09 pm
So by your logic I guess we’d Johnny Cash is undeserving too?
October 17, 2018 @ 4:55 am
He’s a country singer, no one is perfect… see every other country singer that came before him.
I’ve been to that town Square, they renovated the old courthouse and the original courtroom up top is all fancy… interesting to see if you are in the area.
October 17, 2018 @ 5:51 am
Happy healthy BIRTHDAY???? Mr.Alan Jackson. Sending y’all some Love ????from a Virginia gal Loves your voice????????…that’s all❣
October 17, 2018 @ 6:03 am
I dunno, I’ve watched a lot of Jackson 5 footage, and i ain’t never seen this Alan fella even once.
October 17, 2018 @ 8:00 am
I still live here in my hometown of Newnan….pass by this everyday. Alan and my brother were good friends in high school. Used to hang out at our house. What you see with Alan is exactly who he is….humble and as my grandmama would say….good folk.
October 17, 2018 @ 8:49 am
It’s not my place to judge Alan…none of us are perfect. But it is my belief he is a good husband, daddy, and brother. Let’s take care of our own business before worrying about Alan’s…..and no, I’m not from Newnan. I’m from Macon and proud to call Alan Jackson one of our folks..????
October 17, 2018 @ 10:53 am
Alan is truly a great country singer.He is one of my favorite male singers.I might add…The fact that Alan took a stand for George Jones on the CMA Awards that year just makes me appricate him that much more.
That TV special on Alan that aired on the AXE TV network (my apologies if I got the name of the network wrong),was really good last night.It’s called “Small Town Southern Man”.
October 17, 2018 @ 2:38 pm
Happy Birthday Alan Jackson!! You are a wonderful singer and I have been a fan since you started. Been to many concerts of yours and they are awesome. To this day I still have a big poster of you hanging on my wall and I won’t let anybody touch it but me!! My sincere condolences to you and your family after the tragic death of your son in law. I have been heartbroken for ya all!! The mural is beautiful and a wonderful job. Maybe someday I can cruise to Newnan, GA and check it out!! Again HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY!! My celebration was in July for my big 60!!
October 18, 2018 @ 2:52 pm
Actually,it was the AXS network the special on Alan aired.I stand corrected.
October 18, 2018 @ 2:54 pm
I might add,WSM celebrated his birthday yesterday by playing a song by him every hour.That was great.