Alan Jackson Attributes Career to Wife’s Chance Encounter With Glen Campbell

"I will always feel like I owe Glen a lot of gratitude,” Jackson wrote. 

Written by Sydney Smith
Alan Jackson Attributes Career to Wife’s Chance Encounter With Glen Campbell
Alan Jackson; Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images, Glen Campbell; Photo by Gary Miller/FilmMagic

Glen Campbell undoubtedly changed the Country music landscape. The “Rhinestone Cowboy’s” appeal to Pop and Country audiences alike expanded the genre and its fan base, making way to a new sound that would open doors for future artists who did not necessarily fall into the honky-tonk mold. Without Campbell, artists like Kenny Rogers and Alan Jackson might not have ever become country icons.

In an Instagram post, Jackson wrote a heartfelt tribute to the country legend, acknowledging Campbell’s international fame and his contributions to music before he even became the Glen Campbell that we know today.

“I think a lot of people may not realize what a huge international star @glencampbellofficial was during his time in both pop and country music.  He had many timeless hits that will never be touched.  He also was a great musician and great singer who played on a lot of music before he became THE Glen Campbell,” Jackson wrote.

Jackson also shared sentiments on how Campbell served as the catalyst for his career.

“I will always feel like I owe Glen a lot of gratitude,” Jackson wrote. “He was my first contact in Nashville when my wife, Denise, was a flight attendant. She met him at the airport and he gave her his business card for his publishing company.  This connection lead me down the path that brought me to where I am today.”

During this chance encounter, Campbell suggested that the couple move from Georgia to Nashville to better pursue Jackson’s career. The business card he gave her had the contact information for Marty Gamblin, an executive at Campbell’s publishing company.

Two weeks later, Jackson traveled to Nashville to have a meeting with Gamblin, who ended up providing Jackson with a job as a staff songwriter at Glen Campbell Music. Gamblin also agreed to be Jackson’s manager. The couple returned home to Georgia, packed up their bags, and the rest is history.

Campbell passed away Tuesday in Nashville at the age of 81 after a battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He is survived by his wife, Kim, and his eight children.