By duyen be
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Introduction
In the long and colorful history of the Country Music Association Awards, there are countless performances that fans remember fondly. But few moments can match the raw courage and authenticity displayed by Alan Jackson in 1999, when he transformed an ordinary awards-show set into an unforgettable act of protest and solidarity.
That year, the CMAs were scheduled to honor the legendary George Jones, whose influence on country music is immeasurable. Jones had planned to perform his then-new ballad, “Choices”—a song that captured the pain, reflection, and resilience of a man who had lived a hard but storied life. However, to the dismay of fans and fellow artists alike, show producers decided to cut his appearance short. They asked him to trim the song into a condensed, commercial-friendly version. Jones, never one to compromise his artistry, declined. As a result, his performance was scrapped from the show.
When Alan Jackson learned of this, he was quietly furious. Known for his humble demeanor and traditional country values, Jackson wasn’t the type to make grand gestures or stoke public controversies. But he also carried deep respect for the pioneers who shaped the genre. To him, silencing George Jones wasn’t just disrespectful—it was an attack on the very soul of country music.
That night, Jackson was slated to perform his own chart-topping hit, “Pop a Top.” As the steel guitars rang out and the crowd settled in, it seemed like the performance would go as planned. But midway through the number, Jackson did something no one expected. He suddenly turned to his band and gave a simple, firm command: “Stop.”
The arena fell into stunned silence. For a brief moment, the only sound was the echo of instruments fading into the rafters. Then, without accompaniment, Jackson began singing George Jones’s “Choices.” No band, no fanfare—just his voice, steady but laced with defiance, filling the hall.
“I’ve had choices, since the day that I was born…”
The audience quickly realized what was happening. This wasn’t part of the script. It was a statement. Jackson was doing what Jones had been denied the chance to do: perform the song in its entirety, with honesty and respect.