Alan Jackson

Started his first job, working in a shoe-repair shop, at the age of 12; later worked as a forklift driver at Kmart and in the mail room of cable network TNN. Got his first guitar at the age of 16. Big break came in 1985, when his wife, then a flight attendant, gave his demo tape to country singer Glen Campbell at an Atlanta airport. Released his debut album, the platinum-selling Here in the Real World, in 1989. His 2006 album Precious Memories---originally recorded as a Christmas gift for his mother---was the first gospel recording to debut at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart. His wife, Denise, wrote a best-selling book in 2007 titled It's All About Him, detailing the couple's separation and reconciliation.  ~ Rovi