Grand Rapids, MI (Aug. 24, 2024) – Country music icon, Alan Jackson serves up another round for his Last Call: One More For The Road Tour with a stop at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Saturday night.
Jackson announced in 2021 that he was suffering from CMT (Charcot-Marie-Foot Disease), a chronic inherited neuropathy condition causing trouble with function, movement and balance. He was originally diagnosed in 2011, but until recently Alan was able to perform and function without any problems.
In 2022, a Farewell Tour was planned with 16 cities scheduled. As 2024 rolled around, Jackson added ten more stops to the re-named Last Call: One More For The Road Tour that also includes Grand Rapids as the second stop along the way. The new path includes one show each month (minus December 2024), and will wrap up May 17, 2025 in Milwaukee, WI.
On Saturday night, the Sold Out crowd is fired up and excited to be able to witness this country music legend one last time. Before they can do that, they welcome James Carothers to the stage for a quick five song, 15-minute set to introduce himself. James is a top Nashville performer who frequently performs his traditional country sound at establishments such as The Nashville Palace and Alan Jackson’s own AJ’s Good Time Bar, where he is a featured performer. He is joined on stage tonight with Andrew Varner on fiddle and Elio Giordana on stand-up bass. The trio starts off with originals “Uncle Pen” and “Back To Hank” before the crowd claps along to the beat of “White Lightning” and assists in singing of “Luckenbach, Texas.” They finish their evening with the Hank Williams cover, “Jambalaya (On The Bayou)” and the crowd’s approval.
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James Carothers setlist:
Uncle Pen / Back To Hank / White Lightning (George Jones cover) / Luckenbach, Texas (Waylon Jennings cover) / Jambalaya (On The Bayou) (Hank Williams cover)
With her name all lit up on the video screen above her band, the beautiful Lee Ann Womack takes the stage next. All fancied out in a long pink ruffled layer dress, she grabs the attention of all as she is the only female performing on stage this evening. During her set, she performs songs from her career that dates back to the mid-1990’s that includes: “Never Again, Again” “Ashes By Now” and “A Little Past Little Rock.” She adds the Don Williams single “Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good” and George Jones’ cover “You’re Still On My Mind” before wrapping up her set with her top registered #1 single “I Hope You Dance.”
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Lee Ann Womack setlist:
Never Again, Again / Ashes By Now / A Little Past Little Rock / Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good (Don Williams cover) / I Might Hate Myself In The Morning / Last Call / You’re Still On My Mind (George Jones cover) / The Fool / Don’t Listen To The Wind / I Hope You Dance
With the arena lights dimly lit and the tour logo brightly shining on the overhead screens, the near 13,000 people in attendance are beginning to feel the energy and electricity as they prepare for the show of a life-time. A career that started in 1989 to now, 35 years later with so many accolades and achievements. 21 studio albums that have released 68 singles, and have had 35 #1 singles. 1991 Grand Ole Opry member and three time CMA Awards Entertainer Of The Year, Mr. Alan Jackson.
The lights across the arena go dark as a video begins to play on the screen showing Alan performing in his younger days and accepting awards from many of his earlier inspirations. As the video plays on, the band enters the stage for the intro of “Gone Country.” With the massive crowd at their feet and cheering hysterically, Alan slowly walks out to center stage to join his band in song. Propped up against a fabricated leaning post, Alan plays his guitar and sings while waving out to the crowd.
During the second song, “I Don’t Even Know Your Name,” Alan with assistance from his handler walks across the front of the stage throwing out t-shirts of this memorable occasion. At the conclusion of the song, he introduces himself and his band, The Strayhorns to the crowd. He talks about noticing all the pretty farm land in the area and tells that it is all about God, love, drinking, and dancing. Tonight he is going to play some good ole country music. He wants to play a song from back in the day. He also mentions that his wife Denise is in the crowd tonight and he wants to thank her for putting up with all of this for the past 35 years. The song is called “Livin’ On Love.”
While Jackson stands at front and center throughout the show singing his songs to the crowd, he is accompanied by his band that includes: Mark McClurg (Acoustic guitar, harmony vocals), Scott Coney (guitar, banjo), Rusty Danmyer (steel guitar), Danny Groah (lead guitar), Ryan Joseph (fiddle, mandolin, harmony vocals), Bruce Rutherford (drums), Joey Schmidt (keyboard) and Roger Wills (bass guitar).
Alan than proceeds with his set that has the crowd dancing and singing along to songs “Summertime Blues,” “Who’s Cheatin’ Who” and the two that kickstarted his career, “Here In The Real World” and “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow” with a short snippet of “Wanted.”
With the crowd firing on all cylinders and Alan with his band feeding off the energy, the show moves on with mix of slower ballads “The Older I Get,” “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)” and “Remember When” to faster, up-beat tempos like “Little Bitty,” “Country Boy” and “Don’t Rock The Jukebox.”
The set concludes with a trio of happy, fun loving songs to send the crowd out with, “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” “Chattahoochee” and “Where I Come From.” The latter fires up the crowd once again as the video screen shows points of interest from the surrounding area along with sports teams from the performing state.
After a short break, Alan and his band return for an encore with the “Mercury Blues.” At the conclusion, the band continues to play while Alan walks across the front of the stage autographing memorabilia handed to him from his fans at the front of the stage. As he makes his way to the side of the stage, Alan Jackson exits the stage for the final time at Van Andel Arena.
For those fortunate to get a ticket to the show, will remember the evening for a long time. Great country classics that will live on in eternity. Alan Jackson has become synonymous with the likes of Elvis Presley, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. The boundaries that have been broken and artists that have idolized and imitated him. There is only one Alan Jackson, we raise our glass and salute you. We wish you the best in health and retirement, you deserve it. It’s time to enjoy yourself with your family.
Words by: Leslie Reasoner
Photos by: John Reasoner
Alan Jackson setlist:
Gone Country / I Don’t Even Know Your Name / Livin’ On Love / Summertime Blues / The Blues Man / Who’s Cheatin’ Who / Here In The Real World / Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow / Wanted / The Older I Get / Little Bitty / Country Boy / Good Time / Drive (For Daddy Gene) / Where Were You (When The World Stop Turning) / Don’t Rock The Jukebox / Remember When / It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere / Chattahoochee / Where I Come From Encore: Mercury Blues
Alan Jackson
Lee Ann Womack
Jame Carothers
Van Andel Arena