Nashville Sound: Alan Jackson

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) â€” ``Redneck'' isn't a dirty word, reckons Alan Jackson. <br><br>To some, the term summons up images of violence and racism. From Jackson's point of view, a redneck

Wednesday, December 6th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) â€” ``Redneck'' isn't a dirty word, reckons Alan Jackson.

To some, the term summons up images of violence and racism. From Jackson's point of view, a redneck is a regular guy who stays that way forever. It's a compliment.

``It's all right to be a redneck,'' he drawls on one of three songs that promote working-class pride on his CD ``When Somebody Loves You'' (Arista). ``It's all right to ride around in a dirty ol' truck/Catch a bunch of fish and shoot a bunch of duck.''

Jackson, 42, has sold more than 30 million albums. He's established himself as an enduring country music star by being as reliable as a well-worn pair of jeans, cowboy hat or boots.

While contemporary Garth Brooks constantly strives to evolve and surprise fans, Jackson maintains a steady pace by touring and releasing an album of engaging mainstream country music every year.

``I've pretty much stayed true to what I do, and so I've got a pretty good base that will probably buy my records as long as I make them,'' he reasoned.

Jackson's first album was released in 1989, just as Randy Travis brought Nashville back to traditional country music after a pop-leaning period. He became a star with his second single, ``Here in the Real World.'' It was a sad, traditional country music ballad, the first of many.

He has also released childlike singsong tunes (``Chattahoochee,'' ``Little Bitty'') and good-natured jabs at the industry (``Murder on Music Row,'' ``Gone Country'').

On ``When Somebody Loves You,'' he offers ``Three Minute Positive Not Too Country Up-tempo Love Song,'' a poke at country music executives who insist fans no longer want to listen to such classic topics as drinking, cheating and hard times.

``It's a little bit edgy, but softer than spaghetti/Weak but redundantly strong,'' Jackson sings. ``There'll be no drinkin', no cheatin', no lyin', no leavin'/That stuff it just don't belong/In a three minute positive not too country up-tempo love song.''

The song, which is exactly three minutes long, was inspired by Jackson's days as a struggling songwriter. He worked in the mail room of The Nashville Network while pitching his tunes to record producers.

``They're always putting these rules and regulations and restraints on songwriters,'' Jackson said. ``I feel like (the song is) probably poking at radio (stations) more than anybody. But the surprise has been, the few stations I've already interviewed with about the album, everybody always talks about this song. And radio, that's the one they want to play.''

Jackson grew up in a small town near Atlanta. He began playing in local bars in his 20s. He specialized in singing songs by such traditional country heroes as Merle Haggard and George Jones, along with the hits of the day.

He and his wife, Denise, moved to Nashville in 1985. While his wife's salary as a flight attendant paid the rent, Jackson worked at TNN and developed his song-writing. Then his wife spotted country singer Glen Campbell at an airport and asked for advice. As a result, Jackson began writing songs for Campbell's music publishing company.

Arista signed Jackson in 1989. Along with Brooks and Clint Black, he was part of a wave of new stars that reinvigorated country music.

As he enters his second decade as a star, Jackson seems a little bit surprised at his continuing success. He's cut his touring schedule to mostly weekends, and he'll do a brief stadium tour with friend George Strait next year.

``I don't see any point in retiring. I hardly work now,'' he said, laughing and looking as guilty as a mechanic who called in sick so he could go fishing.

``I've got it all balanced out so I can be home with my family a lot, but I tour enough to stay current. I still enjoy playing after all these years. When it's a great crowd and the sound is good and everybody's having a good time, it's still great fun for me.''

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On the Net:

Alan Jackson: http://www.alanjackson.com.