Country Music Superstar Surprised with Achievement During Concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena

Alan Jackson has three decades of accolades and career achievements to his credit, but he’s still adding to them and breaking new ground as he does so.

Friday evening in Nashville – as he wrapped his 2021 tour schedule in front of a sellout crowd of 13,000 at the city’s Bridgestone Arena – Jackson was surprised with a plaque for garnering over 5-billion streams of his music on Pandora. The Pandora Billionaire plaque was presented by UMG Nashville Chairman & CEO Mike Dungan, UMG Nashville President Cindy Mabe, UMG Nashville VP Marketing/Digital Accounts Annie Ortmeier, Pandora’s Senior Manager Artist Marketing & Industry Relations Alina Thompson and Pandora’s Head of Country Programming Jen Danielson.

“Five billion streams? I wish Mama could’ve heard that,” the Country Music Hall of Famer noted from the stage. “She wouldn’t know what a stream is,” the ever-humble Jackson quipped with a smile.

In presenting the honor, Thompson noted the achievement was not Jackson’s alone. ““This is all thanks to your amazing fans who’ve chosen to stream your songs over 5-billion times.” Jackson will be added to Pandora’s Country Billionaires station as a result of the new achievement.

Jackson’s Nashville concert – which capped his 2021 touring schedule – was the icon’s first full-scale Music City concert in over four years. “For those who attended, these songs were more than just radio hits – they…mirrored the stories of their lives,” Billboard said of the event. The Tennessean dubbed the concert “a night to remember,” while Music Row noted, “Jackson commanded the Bridgestone stage with charisma and pride.”

“I just want to say ‘Thank you’ to people like y’all who have supported my music,” the entertainer said. “It’s been a crazy ride.”