Winter 2010 - Alan Jackson

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P.O. Box 121945
Nashville, TN 37212-1945
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the official newsletter of the Alan Jackson Platinum Fan Club
real world news
winter ‘10
topnews
Winter 2010
Issue 80
Alan Jackson Fan Club
P.O. Box 121945
Nashville, TN 37212-1945
(615) 321-5219 office
(615) 321-5221 merchandise
(615) 321-2112 fax
ajfc@alanjackson.com e-mail
www.alanjackson.com
Real World News
is the official publication of the
Alan Jackson Fan Club.
Newsletters are mailed out in
February, May, August and
November.
alanjackson.com
Preferred Seating Tickets will now be sold exclusively online! To take
advantage of this new benefit of the fan club, you just log into your online
fan club account, select the show you want to attend. The link will take
you into the store, where you’ll purchase your tickets. Due to security
issues, you have to have a separate online store account. So if you’ve
never ordered in the online store, be sure to set up an account.
Platinum Fan Club Membership
includes:
Real World News Newsletter
Merchandise Discounts
Alan’s Biography and Fact Sheet
8x10 Exclusive Color Photo
Official Membership Card
Preferred Concert Seating
(subject to availability)
If you were a fan club member prior to August 2009, here’s what you need
to do to create your personal online Fan Club account:
1. Locate your membership number, which is on the mailing label
of this newsletter.
2. Go to www.alanjackson.com.
3. In the top right corner of the page, you’ll see Fan Club Log In.
Enter your membership number in the USERNAME Field (number
only). Then click LOG IN. You don’t have to enter a password yet.
4. This will take you to a page, where you’ll create a USERNAME and
PASSWORD. Then click on Finalize Account. Then you’ll be all set to
enjoy the new online benefits of the fan club.
5. Once you get into the Fan Club section, click on MY ACCOUNT at the
top right corner of the page to make sure all your info is up-to-date.
6. Be sure you write down your USERNAME and PASSWORD and keep it
safe because you’ll use this information every time you want to LOG IN
to the Fan Club section.
**If you’ve become a NEW member of the fan club by mail since last
August, there are instructions in your membership packet on how to
access your online account.
Once you’re logged into the Fan Club section, you can sign up for free
tickets, meet and greets, post of the MEMBERS-ONLY webboard, look at
exclusive pictures, update your personal information (like address, phone
number and email address) and RENEW your membership!
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annual dues:
$20 USA
$25 Canada
$30 International
Please check your address label
for your expiration date. We do
not send out renewal reminders.
You will have a three month grace
period in which to renew your
membership.
When writing to Alan
or theFan Club,
please remember to include a
Self-Address Stamped Envelope
(SASE) for a quick response.
Cindy Hart
p resi d en t
Abby Busick
a d m i n i st r a t i ve a ssi st a n t
We reserve the right
to refuse or deny
privileges to anyone
at our sole discretion.
©2010 Alan Jackson
Materials may not be reproduced without
written permission.
Alan’s latest single
from his upcoming release
FREIGHT TRAIN !
Call your favorite Country DJ today & Request it!
Download the single at iTunes, Amazon and Walmart.com
Video Coming soon to CMT and GAC!
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Hard Hat & A Hammer Alan Jackson will release a new album, FREIGHT
TRAIN, on March 30. Jackson’s 18th album
Every Now and Then (including two hits collections), FREIGHT TRAIN
was produced by longtime collaborator Keith
After 17 Stegall and features 12 songs, one of which is
Jackson’s hot new single, the Stegall co-write, “It’s
It’s Just That Way
Just That Way.”
Eight of the album’s dozen tracks bear
Freight Train
Tail Lights Blue
I Could Get Used To This Lovin’ Thing
Jackson’s songwriting credit, including one he
penned with Roger Murrah, with whom he wrote
one of his biggest hits, “Don’t Rock the Jukebox.”
In a moving tribute to the legendary Vern Gosdin,
who passed away last year and for whom Jackson
has long expressed admiration, Jackson enlisted
Lee Ann Womack to record “Till the End,” Gosdin’s
Till The End 1977 classic duet with Janie Fricke.
FREIGHT TRAIN’s first single, “It’s Just That
That’s Where I Belong Way,” is already on the express track to the top
of the country airplay charts, with Music Row
Big Green Eyes praising, “Alan has seldom sounded warmer than
he does on this lovely ballad.” “It’s Just That Way”
True Love is a Golden Ring is also one of three songs on the album to feature
acclaimed bluegrass singer Rhonda Vincent on
The Best Keeps Getting Better background vocals.
Every 10th CD purchased will be AUTOGRAPHED personally by Alan!
500 Numbered Limited-Edition 12x12 FREIGHT TRAIN Prints (suitable for framing)
will be randomly given away.
CD will be shipped to arrived on or close to March 30, 2010. Special runs thru March 31, 2010.
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PRE-ORDER NOW
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snapshots
1 Look out AJ! Kathy
Burgess introduced AJ’s
music to her grandson,
Chase at age one and
since he starting talking
he would tell you AJ
is the best singer ever!
Chase (5-years-old now)
can sing many of Alan’s
songs and she bought
him this guitar, hat and
shirt for his 5th birthday
last August.
Thanks
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3 “My husband and I
recently attended the
concert in Maryville,
Tn. Of course, I enjoyed
it very much as all the
AJ concerts I attend,
however this one was
a bit chilly or should
I say down right
COOOOOOOOOOOLD!!
As you can see from
the enclosed photos we
were bundled up pretty
good. My husband was a
real trooper to sit there
with me.” –Dawn Kropff
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g r e at
photographs!
5 Quarterly Fan Club
Winner Wallina Burton
shows off her prize
which she had laminated
and mounted to hang
on the wall. She wrote,
“I was in total shock
when I saw my name in
the newsletter. Imagine
what I would do if I ever
won tickets to a show!”
We’d have to warn her
family to break the news
to her gently!
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2 In addition to getting
to meet Alan last year in
Abbotsford, AB Canada,
Delphine Ehret got
to spend a wonderful
evening with her three
sisters. They were
especially touched with
Alan sang “Small Town
Southern Man,” which
reminded them of their
dad and growing up in a
small town in southern
Alberta. They even have
a younger brother who
wasn’t planned!
4 Audra Stanley and
her friend Ellie, took
a trip down to their
local Cracker Barrel in
Grove City, OH for a
little photo shoot and
Christmas Shopping!
for all the
Remember, anytime we use one of your photos in a newsletter, we will send
you a $10 gift certificate toward official AJ merchandise. If you’d like your
photo returned, please include a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope.
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6 Christmas came
early for Wanda Arnold
this year. Her husband
suggested they take
an early morning drive
to Greenville, NC and
enjoy a day of shopping.
Coincidently this was
the same day Cracker
Barrel débuted the Alan
Jackson Collection. Not
only did he buy her
the AJ Rocking Chair,
she got the beautiful
throw and the new CD!
Wanda’s husband won
the Awesome Husband
Award of the year!!
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3
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7 Bonnie Griswold
shows off her birthday
greeting from Alan for
her 80th Birthday which
she displays on her Alan
Jackson Wall! She said
everybody who comes
to visit loves looking at
her wall! Bet she’s got
the best looking wall in
town!
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Billboard’s Best Best 2010
Alan Jackson, Freight Train (Arista Nashville)
With 16 Country Music Assn. Awards, including three Entertainer Of The Year titles, under his belt,
Alan Jackson is still going strong, two decades into his career. For his follow-up to 2008’s Good Time,
he’s again working with longtime producer Keith Stegall. Jackson penned all 17 songs on his previous
album, and for the upcoming set he’s written seven of the 12, including “After 17,” about his oldest
daughter, Mattie, and co-written one more. “Tail Lights Blue” is a love-lost tune written by Jackson’s
nephew, Adam Wright of the Wrights, and Jay Knowles. Jackson also serves up a spirited rendition of
Canadian singer/songwriter Fred Eaglesmith’s “Freight Train.” The first single, “It’s Just That Way,” was
released in December.
Rhapsody’s
Most Anticipated Country Albums of 2010
Alan Jackson, Freight Train (March 30)
There are few things in this world more sublime than Alan Jackson singing a slow-burning love song.
With his deep, buttery voice, Jackson sounds exceptional when extolling the virtues of love; his new
single, “It’s Just That Way,” is a three-and-a-half-minute slice of romantic bliss. A new Jackson release
is always good news for country music lovers, and if the songs on his upcoming album are half as good
as this one, the singer will have hit another home run.
the9513.com’s Review
Alan Jackson – “It’s Just That Way”
Alan Jackson is often cited as a sure-fire future Hall of Famer who favors torn, ripped-up blue jeans,
speaks in a slow, quiet drawl and shies away from any spotlight not beaming down on him in front of
crowds of screaming fans.
He’s just that way.
Likewise, his new single “It’s Just That Way” is pure Jackson, albeit more mature and understated
than the last few singles in his discography. Without any silly attempts at gee-whiz humor, awkward
sexual innuendo or catchy words to spell out, he’s able to focus on the matter at hand: Familiar, effortless
country music underscored by simple lyrics and delivery.
A cross between the laid-back sound of songs like “Had It Not Been You” on the critically acclaimed
Like Red on a Rose and thematically similar commercial success “Song for the Life,” the tune centers
around simple, sure-fire pastoral images that reflect a rock-solid relationship: “That ole sun comes up
every mornin’ / And goes back down at the end of every day / It’s just that way / Stars show up every
evenin’ / Man in the moon comes out to play / It’s just that way.”
Although Jackson is in no rush, there are brief instances of intensity. Addressing his lover, his
emphasis on the two-line chorus contrasts with the song’s easy-going feel, showing there’s something
below his matter-of-fact surface. Instrumentally, “It’s Just That Way” stays out of the singer’s way, save
for the natural steel guitar and piano notes that float throughout the song.
Still, with its slow-tempo and satisfied resignation, “It’s Just That Way” flirts with becoming plodding,
especially when compared to the upbeat fare that populates most of country radio. There is nothing
particularly ground breaking or surprising in its execution, except for the abrupt yet beautiful closing
harmonies between Jackson, his background vocalist and the steel guitar.
The tune, scheduled to be on Jackson’s fourteenth studio album due in the spring, marks a welcome
return to the artist that created Precious Memories and Like Red on a Rose. It’s comforting to know
that the sun always sets, the tide goes in and out and Alan Jackson can still turn out quality country
music.
Thumbs UP.
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meet & greet
photos
Val in Dawson Creek, BC Canada
Adrianne in Tulsa, OK
DeAnn in St. Augustine
Kitty in Tulsa, OK
Janet in Dawson Creek, BC Canada
Delphine in Abbotsford, BC Canada
Tom in Nashville, TN
Gayle in Nashville, TN
Leona in Penticton, BC Canada
Kathy in Topeka, KS
Sara in Topeka, KS
Carol in Abbotsford, BC Canada
Patti in Abbotsford, BC Canada
Bree in Abbotsford, BC Canada
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fanreview
N anc y P feifer
Tulsa, OK
November 7, 2009
George Strait sings a line in a popular song that says, “Tell me something bad about Tulsa…..” My guess
is that after Saturday night’s Tulsa concert Alan Jackson is agreeing with that! My months of anticipation
finally came to an end and we had a fabulous night! The fan club gave us awesome second row seats and
we were sooo close to the stage we never missed a thing and I know I hardly took my eyes off of Alan
the whole time! He looked handsome in his blue shirt trimmed in white! The sound was excellent in the
BOK arena and Alan’s rich vocals just seemed to fill the place as the crowd sang along to every song and
applauded appreciatively.
He began the set with “Gone Country” and then launched into a
great selection of hits from his first decade including “Livin on Love,”
“Summertime Blues,” and much to my delight, “Who’s Cheatin’
Who!” He then switched into slow gear and graced the crowd with
the touching slow numbers and ballads he is so appreciated for
such as “Remember When,” “Like Red on a Rose” and “Where Were
You” for which he received a long ovation. Decade Two hits followed
including “A Woman’s Love” about which he laughingly admits he still
is learning, “Small Town Southern Man,” “Drive” and then the crowd
pleasing “Country Boy” and “Good Time.”
One of the most memorable moments of the evening came when
Alan introduced his band. When the two Okies among the Strayhorns
were introduced the crowd cheered wildly! Alan then asked Mark
McClurg, who plays fiddle and sings backup, if he wanted to do a
song and mentioned that Mark had been only 19 when he joined the
band back 20 years earlier! After a short pause while the Strayhorns
conferred with each other, Alan teasingly said “come on, we don’t
have all night” and Mark and the rest of the Strayhorns launched into a rousing instrumental that featured
each band member and especially Mark with his fiddle. Wild applause ensued when they finished!
Of course the end of the concert came far too quickly. After playing “Where I Come From” and showing
clips of Tulsa and our local football team logos which were met with much loud yelling, the band and Alan
left the stage, returning a few minutes later to belt out “Mercury Blues.” You could tell Alan was tired but
he still signed a lot of autographs, including two of my items that I had my tall niece hold up within his
reach! I have seen Alan about 6 times in the past two years (wish it was more!) but I must say that this was
the best yet! You could see him feed off of the enthusiasm of the crowd that had waited around a decade
for his return to our city. I hope we showed him enough love to make him want to return, because he sure
showed us enough pure country gold to make us want him back real soon!
In other news I recently won $10,000 by being the 98th caller to our local country
station (KVOO Tulsa) after they played a certain sequence of 3 songs. About 2
weeks ago I went to pick up my check and I took FLAT ALAN along! I figured
it would be fun to get a pic of me AND Alan getting my check since he is the
reason I listen to country music! The staff there loved it and I think posted it
on their website! Then our local Coweta, Ok. newspaper wrote an article about
my win and me taking Alan along to the radio station! It was all just too fun!!
(Pictured: Alan and I (hee, hee) with DJ Gary Greenwood who answered the phone when I called
in. Since the cutout isn’t “actual size,” Gary held Alan up so he would look like his tall self.
Remember to send your concert reviews into the Fan Club for a chance to win tickets to the next AJ show in your area. See
your membership packet for complete details.
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Rounds Up a Sparkling
Tribute to a Country
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With Swarovski®
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To Order Call Bradford Exchange at 1-877-268-6638
front rowwinners
Sheri Saville
Karen Egglinger
Terry Fuhr
David Reynoldson
Amy Schirmer
Deborah Eichelberger
Sarah Pierce
Rebecca Campbell
Brian Carey
Jennifer Hall
Shannon Henderson
Robert Hinsche
Pauline Campbell
Marian Guary
Chris Bell
Jayme Battershill
Beamer Wigley
Brendon Hanson
autographed itemwinners
Mary Jane Schmidt, Kansas
Rhonda Pfoertner, California
April Bignell, Wisconsin
Mary Mireles, Arizona
Patricia Clark, Illinois
Karen Oleary, New Mexico
Judy Kelly, Washington
Sharon Jacobs, Ohio
Christine Mitchell, Ontario Canada
Linda Rogers, South Carolina
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heyy’all
a note from the fan club
Happy New Year!
Hope this newsletter finds you staying warm and cozy and surviving the winter! Even the folks in Florida
have had it bad this winter! We’re ready for springtime here in Nashville. Especially since springtime
will also bring Alan’s new album release! As you’ve read, FREIGHT TRAIN is being released on March
30th! I’ve had the honor of hearing the album and WOW it’s another great one! After the first time I
listened to it, I picked “Lovin’ Thing” as my favorite song. But now that I’ve listened to it a couple of
times, I think “Every Now and Then” could be my favorite, but then there’s “That’s Where I Belong” and
“Freight Train.” I just can’t decide! And even though he’s singing about his love with Denise, I can’t help
but reference Alan’s own song lyrics to describe the whole album, “The Best Keeps Getting Better.”
Be sure to PRE-ORDER your copy through the online store, so you’re entered to win an autographed
copy of the CD or an autographed 12x12 limited edition print of the album cover! And if you order it by
March 30, its only $12! We also have lots of merchandise on sale this month. If you’ve never used our
online store, it’s pretty easy. Just click on STORE and pick out the items you want to buy then click
CHECK OUT. Then you’ll be asked to LOG-IN or CREATE ACCOUNT. Once you create an account,
your name and address will be saved for the next time you order. We do not save your credit card
information. During the check out process after you enter your credit card information, remember to
enter the discount coupon code (PLDISC) in the Discount coupon field and click REDEEM. It’s pretty
self explanatory once you get in there and get to using it.
We should start posting new tour dates soon! Alan and the Strayhorns will start hitting the express
track to your area in the spring to promote the new album. Also, be sure to check the website for updates
on his media appearance to promote the album. I’m sure he’ll be doing all the normal New York and LA
media outlets. And I hope to have a date to announce for the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony soon. If
you haven’t added your email address to the email update list on the home page of the website, be sure to
do that so you don’t miss out on any announcements. If your email address has changed, just locate one
of the past eBlast and click on MANAGE your preferences and you can update it from that link.
Well, I’ll wrap this newsletter up and get it to the printer. Oh, and I think I’ll go listen to FREIGHT
TRAIN again! Believe me, you’ll want to listen to if over and over again too once you get it.
date
tourschedule
city, state / venueticket info
february
2/17
San Antonio, TX / San Antonio Rodeo
march
3/2
Houston, TX / Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo
Now
Now
june
6/26
Grand Junction, CO / Country Jam
Now
july
7/16
Watertown, NY / Fairgrounds Baseball Diamond
3/1
7/17
Sarnia, ON Canada / Sarnia Rogers Bayfest
Now
7/31
Cheyenne, WY / Cheyenne Frontier Days
Now
august
8/7
Halifax, NS Canada / Country Rock Fest
Now
september
9/28Minot, ND / Norsk Hostfest (7 p.m.)
5/17
9/29Minot, ND / Norsk Hostfest (1 p.m.)
5/17
For the most current tour schedule, log onto www.alanjackson.com and click on TOUR
* * S P E C I A L S E AT I N G F O R P L AT I N U M FA N C L U B MEM B E R S AVA I L A B L E .
Please check your local listings as all dates and times are subject to change. For updates on Alan’s tour schedule,
check out Alan’s website at www.alanjackson.com or send in a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope to the Fan Club.
Shows are usually confirmed and announced about 4-6 prior to the actual date of the show so check back often.
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