When America fell in love with Alan Jackson, they fell in love with his humorous, good time music like “Chatahoochee.” Eleven albums later, America is still in love with Jackson, but they’ve seen all sides of his music, from his ballads like “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” to traditional country like “Murder on Music Row.” On Thursday, Oct. 2, Jackson fans will get a chance to take a stroll down memory lane when he brings his Good Time tour to the Crown Coliseum.
    Jackson, one of country music’s greatest voices and most accomplished artists, will share the stage with Trace Adkins, another bigger than life country music star. The double-barrel pairing of two of country’s most exciting performers is sure to bring country music fans of all ages to the Crown for a night of honky-tonk madness.
    {mosimage}Three-time CMA Entertainer of the Year and most nominated artist in CMA Awards history Alan Jackson is “one of country music’s true masters” writing songs that ‘make life’s mundanities carry emotional heft and make it look easy.” (USA Today) He has sold more than 49 million albums and topped the album and country album chart this year with Good Time, which produced two number one singles, “Small Town Southern Man”  and “Good Time,” bringing Jackson’s career total of number ones to 33, 23 of which were written by the Grammy-winning songwriter.
    Jackson’s early music was carefree and paid homage to the honky tonks of days gone by. When his music took a on a more serious vein, he noted that while his fans enjoyed the music, they still looked forward to hearing the whimsical music which gave him his start. Good Time is a return to that music.
While Jackson’s music has grown over the years, one thing has not changed. He has remained committed to his country roots. While others in the country music arena let their music move toward the mainstream, Jackson held on to traditional country — paying homage to country greats like Hank Williams.
    His song “Murder on Music Row,” a duet with George Strait, criticized the state of country music. The song raised the question whether or not traditional country music was actually dead. The duo was invited to open the 2000 Academy of country Music Awards with a performance of the turn. Rolling Stone noted, “if Garth and Shania have raised the bar for country concerts with Kiss-style production and endless costume changes, then Alan Jackson is doing his best to return the bar to a more human level.”
    Since releasing his platinum debut album in 1996, the Louisiana-born performer, musician, author and actor Trace Adkins has recorded seven studio albums, which netted him 24 singles on the Billboard chart.  His latest chart-topping CD, American Man: Greatest Hits Vol. II includes the multi-week number one single “You’re Gonna Miss This.” After his strong showing on NBC’s hit reality series, The Celebrity Apprentice, Adkins is turning to the big screen. He’ll soon appear in the feature film American Carol, an irreverent comedy directed by David Zucker. He is set to release his next studio album this fall.
    Tickets are $48 to $58. Additional fees may apply. Tickets may be purchased at the Crown Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com or by calling 910-223-2900. The Crown Center main box office is located at the Crown Coliseum and is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.