Alan Jackson hit the stage at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum for two sold-out artist-in-residence shows.

The performances coincided with the museum's new exhibition, 'Alan Jackson: 25 Years of Keepin' It Country,' which runs through March 2015, marking the first time that a major exhibit has lined up with an artist residency.

“The Hall of Fame was so nice to do this exhibit and to make me an artist-in-residence. It’s a great honor," Jackson says. "This place has all that history in there, and all those great artists.”

Jackson surprised fans at his second show by taking them on a journey through his entire career, sharing stories about his family, roots and journey to fame in Nashville. When he came out on stage for an encore, Jackson was in costume as retro Alan Jackson, donning the style he wore when he was getting started 25 year ago (photo below).

“Alan has embraced the idea that the artist-in-residence series is about stepping outside the familiar,” says the museum's director Kyle Young.

Alan Jackson CMHOF
Rick Diamond, Getty Images
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Since the program began in 2003, the museum's artist-in-residence program has included Cowboy Jack Clement, Earl Scruggs, Tom T. Hall, Guy Clark, Kris Kristofferson, Jerry Douglas, Vince Gill, Buddy Miller, Connie Smith, Kenny Rogers and Ricky Skaggs. More information about the program is available here.

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