Alan Jackson released his moving live rendition of “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” on Friday (September 11), marking 25 years since 9/11.

Jackson, 67, wrote the ballad shortly after the tragedy in 2001. He delivered the first-ever performance at the Country Music Association’s 35th CMA Awards, “having found the words to describe the full spectrum of emotions people had experienced,” states a press release issued Thursday (September 10). “A quarter-century later, the world will stop to answer that question [‘Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)’] once again. And again, Alan’s voice will help people remember and reflect. …The importance – and impact – of “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” was immediate…and lasting.”

“I was so nervous about putting it out,” Jackson recalled in the release. “Even after we did, I thought we would perform it for a little while and then it would just go away. I didn’t feel like people would want to keep thinking about that. But ever since, I see people waiting on that song in the crowd…and I know I have to do it for them.

“Doing ‘Where Were You’ for the first time was so emotional for me,” he said of his CMA performance in 2001. “I was proud I did, though…and it’s one I feel like a lot of people want to hear.”

Jackson’s new live rendition of “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” was recorded during his final headlining performance. The country legend took the stage on June 27 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. More than 80,000 fans experienced the sold-out ‘Last Call: One More for the Road – The Finale,’ which featured performances by George Strait, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Jake Owen, Thomas Rhett, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Riley Green, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Jon Pardi, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Lee Ann Womack and others. Jackson, who retired from his decades-long touring career, said from the stage that “this has just been incredible. I don’t even have words – it’s just been completely overwhelming.”

Jackson will release a live album, Alan Jackson: The Last Show One More for the Road — The Finale (Live from Nashville), in honor of his final concert. It will alo air as a concert special in December on NBC.

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Aaron Michael