(CMT Hot Dish is a weekly feature written by former Country Music magazine columnist Hazel Smith. Author of the cookbook, Hazel's Hot Dish: Cookin' With Country Stars, she also shares her recipes at CMT.com.)

August 30, 2004

Alan Jackson is a shy man and a generous man. I once asked him about the time at Center Hill when his boat conked out midlake. Alan smiled, but he did not deny the story. An old codger with an old ratty boat offered to tow Alan to shore and did. Alan tried to pay the man, but he wouldn't take money. "S'posed to help folks," the old man allowed. The next day, the old man was leaned back in a straight chair in his shanty when he heard a noise outside, pushed open the screen door and saw a truck backing in his driveway with a new boat. "Alan Jackson sent it," the driver said as he drove away. Later, the old man learned the fine boat he pulled ashore belonged to a Nashville singer. "I be dog," he said and shook his head.

Think of best singer-songwriters in country music, and the Rolls Royces are Hank Williams, Merle Haggard and Alan Jackson. Alan's affair with hits, mostly from his pen, like the incredible "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)"or the biggie he didn't write, "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," proves the man knows his business.

"Alan wants to know what you think of his new CD," someone said to me. Well!

Hearing Alan's CD What I Do with its songs of life, love, death and truth, you understand why he was named songwriter of the year three times, and you know why the CMA and ACM vote him entertainer of the year and male vocalist of the year again and again. He continues his consistency with the self-penned hit "Too Much of a Good Thing," followed by a story of lost love "Rainy Day in June," in tandem with "USA Today." "If French Fries Were Fat Free" made me smile, and "You Don't Have to Paint Me a Picture" reminded me of Harlan Howard songwriting. "Monday Morning Church" brought tears, and "Burning the Honky Tonks Down" made me laugh.

From the pen of Dennis Linde -- writer of the hit "Goodbye Earl" by the Dixie Chicks -- comes the humorous and clever "The Talkin' Song Repair Blues," hillbilly rap from the long-legged wonder that will hit home at junkyards, garages, used car lots, body shops, front yards with jacked up cars, songwriters nights and with Alan fans like me. Alan's nephew, Adam Wright, wrote the very cool "Strong Enough," and Adam and wife Shannon co-wrote "If Love Was a River." A.J. producer Keith Stegall co-wrote "There Ya Go" with Dan Hill. Exclusively for the fans, "To Do What I Do" is an anthem Alan will perform as long as he sings and mean every word. Good stuff, Alan.

Any country fan who has never seen an Alan Jackson concert has missed a real treat. Alan is the real deal -- a class act. The man says he never come to Nashville to go pop. That's why What I Do, like all his music, is head and shoulders above most.