Introduction
In September 2018, the Jackson family was forever changed by an unimaginable tragedy. Country music icon Alan Jackson and his loved ones were left heartbroken after the sudden passing of his son-in-law, Ben Selecman, at just 28 years old.
Ben was the beloved husband of Alan’s eldest daughter, Mattie Jackson Selecman. He served as an Assistant District Attorney in Davidson County, Tennessee, and was known not only for his commitment to justice but also for his kind and deeply faithful nature. While on a trip in Jupiter, Florida, Ben was helping a woman onto a boat when he tragically slipped and sustained a severe head injury. Despite being hospitalized and fighting for over a week, Ben sadly passed away.
The shock of losing such a vibrant young man sent waves of grief through the Jackson family. Alan Jackson later shared his sorrow with fans, describing Ben as “a Southern boy who loved hunting, fishing, and the great outdoors.” More than that, he was “the godly young man that Denise had always prayed would come into Mattie’s life.”
This devastating loss deeply impacted Alan on both a personal and artistic level. As a man whose life has always been tied to music, Alan poured his emotions into his songwriting. One of the most touching expressions of that love is his song “You’ll Always Be My Baby”—originally written for his daughters’ weddings—which has taken on even greater emotional depth in light of Ben’s passing.
Mattie Jackson Selecman has also spoken openly about her grief journey, honoring the love she shared with Ben while navigating the painful process of healing. Her reflections offer hope and strength to others who have faced sudden, life-altering loss.
Though years have passed, Ben Selecman’s memory continues to live on—in the hearts of those who knew him, in the music inspired by his life, and in the unwavering love of the family he left behind. This chapter in Alan Jackson’s life remains a powerful reminder of how love, loss, and faith can shape a family’s legacy forever.