The inaugural “5 O’Clock Somewhere Fest” kicked off in West Palm Beach, Florida, this weekend with a star-studded lineup that included Ella Langley, Rodney Atkins, and Dylan Scott. Alan Jackson’s name was attached to the event, but he was never scheduled to perform. Still, he sent a message for the thousands of fans in attendance.
Before Ella Langley took the stage, the festival showed a video message on the big screens around the waterside venue. The singer said, “You know I love South Florida, spent a lot of my life down there. Tonight, I’m in Nashville getting ready for my last show. I’m glad y’all are there. I spent so many days and hours out on the Hullbilly offshore fishing for years and years, and my whole family enjoyed it down there. I hope y’all are enjoying it tonight.”
Alan continued, “Miss Ella Langley, I know you’ll love seeing her. And the main thing, pop a top, have a good time” and then he launched into “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.”
On June 27, the 67-year-old singer will host Alan Jackson Last Call—One More for the Road from Nissan Stadium in Nashville. His final performance is scheduled to include Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Riley Green, Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert, and more and will be televised on NBC.
Last year, Alan announced his retirement from touring following a diagnosis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a hereditary nerve condition. He was first diagnosed in 2011 and in 2021 told TODAY, “I have this neuropathy and neurological disease. It’s genetic that I inherited from my daddy. ... There’s no cure for it, but it’s been affecting me for years. And it’s getting more and more obvious. And I know I’m stumbling around on stage. And now I’m having a little trouble balancing, even in front of the microphone, and so I just feel very uncomfortable.”
A portion of the ticket sales from his Last Call show will benefit the CMT Research Foundation.
Katie Bowlby is Digital Director at Country Living, where she covers pop culture news including country music, Yellowstone, and all things HGTV, plus gift guides and product reviews. She has been with Country Living for more than 11 years. Before that, she worked for Southern Living. The Indiana University grad also stitches up the cross-stitch pattern for every issue of the magazine.
