Massey Energy’s Upper Big Branch coal mine in Montcoal in Raleigh Country, W.Va. endured the biggest mining disaster in 40 years on April 5, when an explosion killed 29 miners and injured two. Pollstar.com reports that country singer Alan Jackson is making sure that the lives of those lost in the tragic mining disaster will be remembered by hosting a benefit concert in May. It’s fitting that Jackson chose to honor the event, as many of his classic songs see him singing about the hard-working people that populate small towns scattered across America.

On May 22, Alan Jackson will perform at the Charleston Civic Center while in West Virginia on tour. The venue is 30 miles north of the Upper Big Branch coal mine, and Jackson is donating proceeds from the show to the Montcoal Mining Disaster Fund-which is being administered by the West Virginia Council of Churches-to honor those lost in the explosion and their families. “This is a very wonderful donation from Alan and, on behalf of our state, I’m honored for our miners, their families and the rescue workers. Alan is a world-famous entertainer who has never forgotten his small-town roots and the importance of family,” said West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin, according to Pollstar.com.

Jackson’s current road trip is in support of his latest album, Freight Train. Released on March 30, the effort is Jackson’s 16th studio album and includes the single “Hard Hat and a Hammer.” Jackson told The Boot that he picked the name for his album because “it sounded different and just kind of stuck out. I guess when you really think about it, we’ve been rolling along here for a lot of years … just going like a freight train.” In addition to eight original songs penned by Jackson, Freight Train also features four more songs, like his duet of the Vern Gosdin classic “Till the End” with Lee Ann Womack and lead single “It’s Just That Way.”

In addition to celebrating his latest album release, Jackson was recently awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The singer sat down with Ann Curry on NBC’s Today Show to talk about his new album and The Boot reports that he laughed and said, “It’s crazy, isn’t it?” when the host asked him about his Hollywood honor. When Ann Curry said the only thing crazy about it was how long it took him to get one-he has sold over 50 million albums and notched 34 No. 1 singles on the charts in his day-he joked, “I think they finally got to the bottom of the list.” Jackson took a detour from his tour to accept his star, which is located close to stars for John Travolta, Judy Holliday and The Doors, from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce on April 17.

There may be new kids on the country music block, but country fans know that an Alan Jackson always puts on a show! Fans with Alan Jackson tickets can see him perform in cities like Uncasville, Conn.; Rochester, N.Y.; Wilkes-Barre, Brand Levitra Pa.; Lexington, Ky.; Winstead, Minn.; Grand Junction, Colo.; Mount Pleasant, Mich. and more through August. Get Alan Jackson tickets online.

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Category: Music
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