Country Legend Alan Jackson to Retire After Diagnosed with Degenerative Disorder

Country fans are singing the blues after hearing the news that Nashville legend Alan Jackson is being forced to retire because he’s suffering from a rare debilitating disease.

The 66-year-old Don’t Rock the Jukebox singer, who’s playing his final concert May 17, has Charcot-MarieTooth disease, a degenerative disorder that attacks the nervous system, causing muscles to shrink and weaken.

“Alan has found the disease has progressed to the point where he cannot continue,” spills a friend. “He has tremors and gets muscle spasms up and down his legs and arms that cause his limbs to seize up on him. On his worst days, it’s a challenge to just stay upright!”

So now, the soft-spoken star with 35 No. 1 hits has come to the realization he has no choice but to hang up his guitar after playing the final show of his Last Call: One More for the Road tour in Milwaukee.

“It’s sad for Alan Jackson because he always figured he would be like his idols Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson and still be up on stage singing his hits in his 80s,” the insider says.

While doctors apparently have told Alan that he may eventually need to use a wheelchair as the disease continues to attack his body, pals say the Country Music Hall of Famer looks at retirement as just the next stage of life.

“I’ve been touring for over 30 years, you know, played everywhere in the country and parts of the world,” the chart-topper says. “[I] have had a wonderful career!”