Hit singer/songwriter and country superstar Alan Jackson was presented the first-ever ASCAP Heritage Award last night at the 52nd Annual ASCAP Country Music Awards in Nashville. Jackson earned the title of most performed country music songwriter-artist of ASCAP’s first 100 years. The award was presented by ASCAP President and Chairman of the Board Paul Williams and special guest presenter Connie Bradley in commemoration of ASCAP’s first 100 years.The honor included a video tribute that highlighted some of Jackson’s career milestones, as well as interviews with music industry luminaries who were instrumental in launching his career including ASCAP Board member Barry Coburn, former Arista Records head Tim DuBois and longtime producer Keith Stegall.

The EMI Nashville superstar, who attended with wife Denise, was markedly surprised and honored saying, “I don’t even know what to say. I’m just an old country boy that’s had a lot of blessings. Like I’ve said before, I’m just a singer of simple songs and came [to Nashville] to sing country songs and songwriting means more to me than anything.”He added saying to his peers of artists, songwriters and music industry colleagues in the room, “Try to remember it’s about the music. Try not to look at those charts.”

Alan Jackson is one of the most successful and respected singer-songwriters in music.  He is in the elite company of Paul McCartney and John Lennon among songwriters who’ve written more than 20 songs that they’ve recorded and taken to the top of the charts.  Jackson is one of the best-selling artists since the inception of SoundScan, ranking alongside the likes of Eminem and Metallica.

Jackson kicks off his 25th Anniversary KEEPIN’ IT COUNTRY TOUR on January 8 in Fort Myers, FL. The tour, sponsored by Kubota Tractor Corporation, includes Capitol Records Nashville’s Jon Pardi and Grammy/CMA/ACM nominated hit singer/songwriter Brandy Clark.

Jackson’s tour is an extension of the already year-long 25th anniversary celebration which kicked off this summer with the opening of his exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, Alan Jackson: 25 Years of Keepin’ It Country, which will run through March 2015. Last month the multi-platinum selling Grammy winner played two record-breaking sold out shows at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s CMA Theater making him the first simultaneous artist-in-residence and major museum exhibit subject.

In his 25-year career, Jackson has been steadfast in his love for traditional music while enjoying major chart success.  Since signing his record deal in June 1989, he has sold nearly 60 million albums worldwide and ranks as one of the 10 best-selling country artists of all-time. He has released more than 60 singles—registering 50 Top Ten hits and 35 #1s (including 26 Billboard #1s).  He has earned more than 150 music industry awards—including 18 Academy of Country Music Awards, 16 Country Music Association Awards, a pair of Grammys and ASCAP’s Founders and Golden Note Awards.  He is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry.