Sept. 28 (UPI) — Alan Jackson is going public about his struggle with a degenerative nerve disease.
The 62-year-old country music singer said on Tuesday’s episode of Today that he was diagnosed 10 years ago with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a disorder that damages the nerves in the arms and legs.
“I’ve been reluctant to talk about this publicly and to my fans. I have this neuropathy — neurological disease that’s genetic — that I inherited from my daddy,” Jackson said.
CMT disease can cause muscle weakness and issues with balance. Jackson said there is no cure for the disease and that he’s experienced effects from the disorder “for years.”
“It’s getting more and more obvious. I know I’m stumbling around on stage. Now I’m having a little trouble balancing, even in front of the microphone, and so I just feel very uncomfortable,” Jackson said.
“It’s not going to kill me — it’s not deadly,” he added. “But it’s related [to] muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s disease.”
Jackson said he feels relieved to go public about his condition and plans to keep performing.
“I never wanted to do the big retirement tour, like people do, then take a year off and then come back,” he said. “I think that’s kinda cheesy. I’m not saying I won’t be able to tour. I’ll try to do as much as I can.”
Jackson released his 21st studio album, Where Have You Gone, in May. He released a music video for his song of the same name last week.