On June 26, 1989 – 25 years ago today – a then-unknown singer-songwriter from the small town of Newnan, GA put pen to paper and signed his first major recording contract. His name was Alan Jackson…and that “dream come true” moment set the stage for a career that Jackson – and those in the room with him – could only have imagined.

Watch a clip from CMT's Hot 20 Countdown where they revisit Alan's career!

Maybe Alan Jackson's CMT Impact Award is in some kind of trophy room. Or in a glass display case with recessed lighting. Or maybe it's still in a box waiting to join his other accolades. But I know one thing for sure -- he reveres all of his awards enough to take very good care of them.

Superstar Alan Jackson held a press conference this morning at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville to announce a year-long celebration of his 25th year in the music business.