George Strait & Alan Jackson Sing “Murder on Music Row” One Last Time
Alan Jackson held what will very likely be his final ever full concert at Nissan Stadium in Nashville Saturday night (6-27). The event featured many special guest appearances, tributes, and video messages saying farewell to one of the greatest to ever do it. Though all of those that showed up to pay tribute to Alan deserve credit, perhaps no name was bigger and more anticipated than long-time friend and sometimes duet partner, “King” George Strait.
For a second, there was a question of Strait would even appear at the final concert. When the initial lineup for the show was announced, and subsequent lineup revelations came out, Strait was not there. But he was finally added in late May, and Strait ended up singing not one, but two songs with Alan Jackson.
George Strait came out singing the second verse to the song “Designated Drinker,” the other duet the two country legends released together in 2002 that despite not becoming a big radio hit, has become a beloved tune to fans of both performers.
After the song, the two men reminisced on stage for a bit.
“I brought you a jack water,” George Strait said to Alan, with Jackson responding, “You’re a real designated drinker.”
“I’m just paying back the favor for when you did this for me at the ‘Cowboy Rides Away’ night. You remember that?,” Strait said.
“I do. [One of the] highlights of my life,” Alan Jackson said about the June 2014 concert at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX.
“Me too.” George Strait responded. “Thanks for doing it. It’s so great to be here with the legend Alan Jackson. I just want to say, this cowboy rode back in. So we got some hope for Alan. We hope you ride back in too.”
But Alan Jackson just might not be in the physical condition to do so even if he wanted. In September of 2021, Alan Jackson revealed that he’s been suffering from a degenerative nerve condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. The disease is not life threatening, nor does it affect longevity. But CMT does significantly affect coordination, which has restricted Alan Jackson’s ability to perform.
During his final concert, at times Alan Jackson was sitting on a stool, or propping up himself against it. When he walked off the stage to the final applause with fireworks going off behind the stage, he had to hold onto the shoulder of someone to make it off. This is the reason Jackson is calling it quits, though says he’s still open to making one-off appearances or performances, and perhaps recording more music.
But he wasn’t going to make it off stage one final time without performing the CMA-winning country protest song “Murder on Music Row” with King George. Perhaps the most iconic song speaking out against how the country industry bleeds roots, twang, and soul from the music, it has been a gem of the careers of both artists, and was one of the highlights from Alan Jackson’s final bow. They couldn’t help but take one final parting shot across the bow of Music Row.
Fans will hopefully be able to see both performances featuring George Strait and Alan Jackson in full when NBC broadcasts a television special taped at the final concert some time later this year.
June 28, 2026 @ 12:11 pm
I love them! And I love this song! <3Thank You, Trig!
June 28, 2026 @ 12:45 pm
I was there and the song really hit hard. Alan’s band is first rate. The highlight for me was the nostalgic walk I took when he performed “Remember When.”
June 28, 2026 @ 1:44 pm
Must have been an awesome night. Im hopeful that there is eventuaaly a dvd of the whole thing, i figure nbc will edit a lot. Im interested in eric churchs acoustic version of someday. Regardless ill watch it all. Alan jackson was the last artist i really followed extensively. I hope to hear more music and i wish him well in his retirement from the road.