08/12/2026
I’ve got to start with the person who wasn’t there but is in everything I do — Roxy. Baby girl, every note I sing, every room I build, every night like last night… it’s for you. Always.
Now let me try to thank everybody who made last night what it was, and forgive me now for the ones I’ll forget, because my heart’s too full to keep it all straight.
Stephanie Chance — you brought your energy AND your people, and watching them get humbled by what we’ve got going on in this little town? That’s everything. Mr. Martin and his family — you became fans last night, and that’s the whole point right there. The girls who own the turquoise shop — y’all danced around like nobody was watching and lit that room up. Bonnie and your husband, Cathy Shipp and yours — thank you for being there.
Janet. You are loved. You always have been and you always will be, by all of us. Never forget that.
Lana Niemann — where do I even start. You are the reason I get to stand on that stage. While everybody’s watching me up there, you’re the one who made it all happen behind the scenes — the thousand things nobody sees, the details, the fires you put out before I ever knew they were lit. You carry this whole thing on your back and never ask for the credit. The truth is, if it weren’t for you, I probably wouldn’t be standing up there at all. Last night was yours as much as it was mine. I don’t say thank you near enough.
Lana Boran and family, Harold Wells who is such an important cog to my journey — thank you for showing up and showing out. Mary, you made me look so good up there, and Sean, thank you for sharing her with us. Jerry and your lovely wife — thank you for coming out and being part of it. Means a lot.
And the King Creole Orchestra — my God. You’ve been in this since the beginning, back when it was 30 people in the room four years ago. Look at us now. That’s not luck. That’s love and grit and refusing to quit.
To the ones who couldn’t be there — Ryan and Hayley, Russ and Jocelyn — you’re always with us anyway, because that’s just who you are. Always awesome. Always family.
I know I missed some of you and I’m sorry. Just know if you were in that room last night, you’re part of this story now.
And one last word — to the folks of the Chamber and the City other than Lois we missed you. What’s happening on Main Street is putting real numbers on the board: tax revenue, foot traffic, and attention Gladewater doesn’t usually get from hotel and BnB bookings dinner reservations . We’re bringing business to this town night after night, and we’re not waiting around for permission. There’s always a seat for you. Come see what your community built — I think you’d be proud, and maybe a little surprised.
See you at Atropa and Legacy Building
Thank you, Gladewater. The King’s not done with us yet. 👑
— Jackson
