Althea Legaspi
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Alan Jackson and Taylor Swift backstage before the Taping of CMT 'GIANTS' on Oct. 30, 2008. Rick Diamond/WireImage Alan Jackson took his final live performance bow Saturday night in Nashville at Nissan Stadium, and he was joined by a bevy of fellow stars, both in real life and virtually, including Taylor Swift who appeared via video.
In a clip played right before Jackson took the stage for his last concert on his One More for the Road – The Finale tour, Swift’s surprise video was played on screens flanking the stage.
“Hi Alan, it’s Taylor. I just want to say thank you for your decades of unbelievable songwriting and performances and the ways you’ve given so much to us, the fans,” she said. In the heartfelt video, she shared that her favorite song of his is “Drive.”
@countrycentralTaylor Swift leaves a message for Alan Jackson at his final show. #taylorswift #alanjackson
♬ original sound – Country Central
“In that song you really paint such a picture and let us into details of your life and I know that that was an example that was so good for me to see at a young age, an artist really just letting fans into the details of his life,” she added. “And I appreciate you so much for the ways that you have treated me and other artists and writers with such support and encouragement over the years, and I am so excited for you doing your show and just appreciate you so much. Love you!”
Her appearance and sweet message appeared to receive a mixed reaction from concertgoers, with fan-shot videos appearing to capture boos, but also cheers from attendees. It’s unclear why the singer, whose recently released “I Knew It, I Knew You” from Toy Story 5 marks her return to her country roots and country radio, received a mixed reaction, but it’s not the first time she’s had to shake it off, and you know, haters gonna hate. In February 2025, Swift was booed when she was shown on the screen during the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles matchup at the Super Bowl LIX, and Serena Williams defended the singer.
Jackson’s final show also featured tribute performances by the likes of George Strait, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Jon Pardi, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Riley Green, Cody Johnson, Lee Ann Womack, and more, who covered Jackson prior to him taking the stage.
