The emotional weight of the night was evident for Jackson's great-niece, Carlisle Wright, who was invited by the legend himself to perform during the tribute portion of the evening.
"He goes, 'I want you to play at my last show,'" said Carlisle Wright. "I'm trying to hold back tears...
getting to honor him tonight is truly one of a lifetime."
Several contemporary country music stars also expressed their admiration for Jackson's character and artistic legacy on the red carpet.
Country singer Lainey Wilson emphasized the artist's genuine nature when meeting his peers.
"One of the most kindest people," said Lainey Wilson. "Exactly like I thought he would be."
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Luke Combs recounted a brief, memorable interaction he shared alone with Jackson inside a stadium tunnel after presenting him with a major industry accolade.
"We got to have kind of this moment walking through the tunnel," said Luke Combs. "It was just me and him.
I had never met him in my entire life. I remember him just telling me, 'That was a taller hill you just climbed.'
And that was like all he said. I was like, 'Damn, that was really poignant and just matter of fact.'
Then as soon as I looked to my left and looked to my right, he was gone."
Jackson's Final Performance and Farewell to the Stage
Following a series of video well-wishes from absent stars including Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, and Taylor Swift, Jackson opened his performance in a shimmering silver shirt.
