Alan Jackson Honors His Late Father With the Heartfelt Song “Drive (For Daddy Gene)”

Country music icon Alan Jackson has always worn his heart on his sleeve—especially when it comes to family. Born and raised in a modest home in Georgia, Jackson grew up with love that made up for what they lacked in money. His father, known as “Daddy Gene,” played a central role in his life—and later, in his music.

A Tribute That Came From the Heart

Alan Jackson’s father passed away in 2000, a loss that deeply affected the singer. Two years later, Jackson released the now-classic single “Drive (For Daddy Gene)” as a tribute to him. The track became one of the most personal and emotional songs of Jackson’s career.

The song was released on his 2002 album Drive, which also featured hits like:

• “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)”

• “Work in Progress”

• “That’d Be Alright”

Lyrics That Tell a Story of Love, Loss, and Legacy

In “Drive,” Jackson sings about his childhood memories—riding in a beat-up truck with his dad, working on it together, and later taking a boat out on the lake. The final verse shows the full emotional arc: Jackson now driving with his own daughters in a Jeep, passing down the same experiences that shaped him.

“It was just an old half-ton short-bed Ford / My uncle bought new in ’64…”

The accompanying music video features touching scenes of a father and son driving through the countryside and cruising on the lake. It ends with real-life footage of Alan and his daughters, and a nostalgic photo of young Alan with Daddy Gene in a boat.