He croons he’s just a singer of simple songs, an aw-shucks country boy who talks about cars, dreams about women and loves pouring somethin’ tall an’ strong when it’s five o’clock somewhere.
Sure, whatever works.
Having movie star looks, a six-foot-four frame, a zillion hit songs and more perseverance than the Energizer Bunny doesn’t hurt either.
Alan Eugene Jackson, who celebrated birthday No. 51 last month, turned the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre into a good time jukebox Friday night, attracting a sold-out crowd little bitty short of 7,000.
Thanks to slick video production, nobody seemed to mind that the somewhat stationary Jackson didn’t use pyrotechnics, dancing girls or cheesy gimmicks to enliven his nine-person act during the entertaining 90-minute set.
In fact, thanks to a neat two-minute countdown video clock before showtime, the fans were standing and screaming before the gifted Georgian even showed his famous face.
From the opening Gone Country, to the emotional Remember When, I Don’t Even Know Your Name, Chattahoochee, Who’s Cheatin’ Who, Good Time, Pop A Top,
Summertime Blues and Country Boy, fans of all ages clapped, danced, shouted, snapped pictures and sang. Some even sat down, but not many during this “AJ karaoke workout.”
There were a couple emotional moments as well.
The first came when Jackson sang his poignant 9/11 rumination Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning) and fans lit up the AESC with cellphones to mimick the candles burning on the tribute video. Jackson, who still wells up when he does this touching song, made a point to thank our Canadian soldiers, still battling alongside U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Classy stuff.
The second was a touching video that accompanied Jackson’s great song Drive (For Daddy Gene). AJ explained he wrote this song for his loving dad – the Small Town Southern Man in AJ’s other monster hit – who taught him to respect life and people, and to drive. We learn at the end of the video that Gene passed away in 2000 at the age of 72.
When Jackson asked “how ya’ll holding up?” halfway through this unforgettable evening, there was a two-minute thundering ovation that would have continued had he not started playing again.
The ambassador of traditional country thanked Canadians for being good to him over the years, tossed guitar picks to the crowd, joked how he’s still learning to figure out women (he has three daughters) and that he has a new album (2008’s Good Time) and might make more if the fans want them. You think?
His final song of the night, Where I Come From, drew cheers and applause as the video screen flashed images of Abbotsford, city hall, the fire and police, local churches, the university, downtown businesses, local landmarks and 2010 Olympic signs. If nothing else, it showed concertgoers that AJ isn’t resting on his laurels and his promise to give fans their money’s worth still is still intact.
Of course, a show like this doesn’t end without an encore. After a brief break, Jackson’s crew returned for an extended version of Mercury Blues in which Jackson signed hats, jackets, shirts, skin and paper for adoring fans who rushed the front of the stage.
Chilliwack realtor Robert Lacerte, one of those folks lucky to get seats close to the front, was impressed when AJ finally finished.
“I can’t say enough good things about tonight’s show or this beautiful facility. I’ve always been a fan of Jackson’s – he just keeps getting better.
“And tonight’s atmosphere was just electric. The promoters promised a good time. They more than delivered. I will be back often for this kind of entertainment,” said Lacerte.
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