Trace Adkins | |
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.jpg) Adkins in 2011 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Tracy Darrell Adkins (1962-01-13)January 13, 1962 (age 64) Sarepta, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Origin | Springhill, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Genres | Country[1] |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments |
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| Years active | 1987–present |
| Labels | |
| Website | traceadkins |
Tracy Darrell Adkins (born January 13, 1962)[2] known professionally asTrace Adkins, is an Americancountry music singer and actor. Adkins made his debut in 1996 with the albumDreamin' Out Loud, released onCapitol Records Nashville. Since then, he has released 10 more studio albums and two greatest hits compilations. In addition, Adkins has charted more than 20 singles on theBillboard country music charts, including the number-one hits "(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing", "Ladies Love Country Boys", and "You're Gonna Miss This", which peaked in 1997, 2007, and 2008, respectively.
"I Left Something Turned on at Home" went to number one on Canada's country chart. At least six of his studio albums have received gold or platinum certification in the United States; his highest-selling to date is 2005'sSongs About Me, which has been certified double multiplatinum for shipping two million copies. Adkins is widely known for his distinctivebass-baritone singing and speaking voice.[1][3]
He has also made several appearances on television, including as a panelist on the game showsHollywood Squares andPyramid, as a 2008 finalist and as the 2013 winner onThe Celebrity Apprentice, as the voice for recurring character Elvin onKing of the Hill, and the main role of Albie Roman onMonarch, as well as in television commercial voice-overs forKFC andFirestone.
Also, Adkins has written an autobiography titledA Personal Stand: Observations and Opinions from a Free-Thinking Roughneck, which was released in late 2007. He has appeared in numerous films, includingThe Lincoln Lawyer,Moms' Night Out, andI Can Only Imagine.
Adkins was born inSarepta, Louisiana, the son of Peggy Carraway and Aaron Doyle Adkins.[1][4] His maternal uncle was the Christian musician James W. Carraway (1923–2008).[5][6] His musical interest came at an early age when he was 10, and his father bought him a guitar and hired someone to give him lessons.[7]
At Sarepta High School, since defunct, Adkins joined agospel music group called the New Commitments.[8] He was also a member of theFFA. Later, Adkins attendedLouisiana Tech University inRuston.[8] Awalk-onoffensive lineman on theirfootball team, Adkins left the team after his freshman season due to a knee injury, without ever playing in a game.[9]: 26 [10][11] Adkins never graduated. After leaving college, he worked on anoil rig. He also played music in a band called Bayou.[8] Adkins also worked as a pharmacy technician before pursuing a career in music. He lost thepinky finger on his left hand in an accident using a knife to open a bucket, and asked doctors to reattach the finger at an angle so that he could continue to play guitar.[7] Adkins moved to play inhonky-tonk bars for the next few years in theArk-La-Tex area and eventually moved toNashville, Tennessee, in 1992.[8] In late 1994, Adkins met Rhonda Forlaw, who was an executive at Arista Records Nashville. Forlaw had numerous music industry friends come out to hear Adkins over the next few years. Scott Hendricks ofCapitol Nashville signed him "on the spot" one night while Adkins was playing at Tillie and Lucy's bar inMount Juliet, Tennessee.[8]
Adkins' first single, which he wrote himself,[8] "There's a Girl in Texas", was released in 1996, reaching the top 20 on theBillboardHot Country Singles & Tracks charts. It was followed by the release of his debut album,Dreamin' Out Loud, later that year. The album produced several hit singles, including his first top-five single, "Every Light in the House", his first number one in "(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing", and another top-five hit in "I Left Something Turned on at Home". The latter single was also a number-one hit in Canada. His second album,Big Time, produced a top five in "The Rest of Mine", but subsequent singles proved less successful.[7] Adkins was named "Top New Male Artist" by theAcademy of Country Music in 1997.[8] In 1998, Adkins appeared on thePBS music programAustin City Limits (season 23). A change in management delayed the release of Adkins' third album,[12] but the album (titledMore...) was eventually released in late 1999. Although the album's title track reached top 10,More... failed to achieve gold status. Adkins' daughter, Mackenzie, was featured in the "More" video.
In 2001, Adkins was injured in a tractor accident and had to cancel touring temporarily.[13] Shortly after the release of hisChrome album, he entered a 28-day alcohol rehabilitation program in Nashville.[14]Chrome was his first album to reach the top five on the country albums charts; itstitle track reached top 10 in late 2002.[7]
In 2003, Adkins released two albums—a greatest hits collection andComin' on Strong.[7] The same year, he was inducted into theGrand Ole Opry.[15] He also made appearances as the center square on the game showHollywood Squares,[16] and did voice-overs in commercials for fast-food chainKFC.[17] Only one single, "Then They Do", was released from this greatest hits compilation. This album, which succeeded the greatest hits collection, produced two singles: the top-five single "Hot Mama" and "Rough & Ready", which peaked at number 13.
Adkins andTravis Tritt played the roles of prison convicts in a February 2004 episode of the television seriesYes, Dear (Greg and Jimmy's Criminals).
In March 2005, Adkins released his album entitledSongs About Me.[7] Thetitle track was released as its first single in December 2004. The album's second single, "Arlington", generated controversy over its content (a first-person account of a fictional soldier who was about to be buried inArlington National Cemetery).[18] It was followed by "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk", which became a crossover hit, bringing Adkins into the top 40 of theBillboard Hot 100 for the first time.
Adkins' seventh studio album,Dangerous Man, was released in 2006. "Swing", the album's lead-off single, peaked at number 20, while the follow-up "Ladies Love Country Boys" became Adkins' second number-one single on the country charts and his first since "(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing" in 1997. Adkins' daughter, Brianna, was featured in the "Ladies Love Country Boys" video. The album's final release, "I Wanna Feel Something", proved unsuccessful on the charts; as a result, Adkins announced that he would stop supporting the single.
In August 2007, Adkins released a single entitled "I Got My Game On".[19] Originally, the song was planned to be the lead-off to a new album, tentatively titledGame On, but Adkins decided not to release a full album, and instead released his second greatest hits compilation,American Man: Greatest Hits Volume II, for which "I Got My Game On" served as the lead-off single.[20] The album has also produced Adkins' fastest-climbing single to date in its second single, "You're Gonna Miss This".[21] "You're Gonna Miss This" has also become his third number-one hit on theHot Country Songs, as well as the most successful single to date on theBillboard Hot 100 (12),Billboard Pop 100 (19), andHot Digital Songs charts (8).
Adkins released his first book, entitledA Personal Stand: Observations and Opinions from a Free-Thinking Roughneck.[22]
In 2008, Adkins released the single "Muddy Water," the lead single fromX, which was released on November 25. The video for "Muddy Water" has an appearance by fellowCelebrity Apprentice competitorStephen Baldwin as a man being baptized in a muddy river, and later approaching Adkins as a friend. It reached the top 30 on the country charts, peaking at number 22. "Marry for Money" and "All I Ask for Anymore" were released as the album's second and third singles, and both peaked at number 14 on the country charts.
In November 2008, Adkins made an appearance at theMacy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. He rode with his family on theJimmy Dean/Tyson Foods float and performed his famous song "You're Gonna Miss This". In 2009, Adkins appeared in localKansas City commercials to advertise season tickets and the 50th season of theNational Football League'sKansas City Chiefs.
Adkins recorded a duet with country legendRonnie Milsap called "My First Ride" to benefit firefighters and police officers in the U.S. and Canada. Then, after the song's release, the label said 'no' to radio stations playing it with no explanation given. Milsap led a protest atCapitol Records to "Free Trace" and allow the song to be played.
In November 2009, Adkins embarked on the Shine All Night Tour, a co-headline venture with fellow country artistMartina McBride. Also in 2009, he recorded a duet withBlake Shelton titled "Hillbilly Bone", which was released as the lead-off single from Shelton's upcoming sixth album. On October 18, 2009, Adkins made an appearance onExtreme Makeover: Home Edition to helpTy Pennington and his design team build a new home for the Marshall family.
In January 2010, Adkins parted ways with his long-time record label,Capitol Nashville, and subsequently signed withShow Dog-Universal Music.[23][24]
Adkins' first single with the label, "This Ain't No Love Song", was released on May 17, 2010, and served as the lead-off single to his ninth studio album,Cowboy's Back In Town. It debuted at number 54 on the chart for the week of May 29, 2010. The album's second single, "Brown Chicken, Brown Cow", released to country radio on January 10, 2011.[citation needed]
Two men in a small Dodge pickup truck lost their lives after crashing into one of Trace Adkins' tour buses on February 13, 2010. The truck was believed to have crossed the "no passing" line in the center of the road, which resulted in the crash. Several members of Adkins' band were aboard the bus, but were not seriously injured. Adkins himself was not on board at the time.[25] On October 10, 2010, Adkins sang thenational anthem atDallas Cowboys Stadium.[citation needed]
On December 18, 2010, Adkins performed atWWE's annual extravaganzaWWE Tribute to the Troops to amazing reception by the soldiers in attendance.[26] He appeared once again in an episode ofSmackDown live from Nashville, Tennessee, on May 13, 2011, as the special member of the WWE audience.
In March 2011, Adkins released "Just Fishin", which featured his youngest daughter, Trinity, in the video, which was shot at their farm. The song reached number six onBillboard. On June 4, 2011, around 3:35 pm, Adkins' home inBrentwood, Tennessee, burned down.[27] On October 20, 2011, Adkins sang the National Anthem at game two of the2011 World Series inSt. Louis.[citation needed]
In April 2011, Adkins revealed that he had a crush on theBaylor Lady Bears' head coach,Kim Mulkey, while the two were in college at Louisiana Tech, then dedicated his performance of "One in a Million You" to her.[28]
Mulkey's sister arranged a phone call in December 2011 between the singer and coach, during which Kim Mulkey invited him to sing at Baylor's home game againstConnecticut;[29] Adkins, unable to attend, arranged to perform the National Anthem at the Lady Bears' February 2012 home game against theTexas A&M Aggies.[30]
In March 2012, Adkins visited the Lady Bears while on tour in Kansas City to encourage them before their NCAA Championships semifinal match; the team attended one of his concerts later that week.[31]
In February 2012, Adkins appeared as a guest vocalist onMeat Loaf's albumHell in a Handbasket.[32]
Adkins performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" at theWest Virginia Mountaineers' home football game against theBaylor Bears on September 29, 2012; his was just the third live performance of the national anthem in the 32-year history of Mountaineer Field.[33]
Adkins released a new album,Love Will..., on May 14, 2013. The album's first single, "Watch the World End", was released to country radio on May 13, 2013. In September 2013, he was announced to be no longer on the Showdog roster according to the official website.[citation needed]
Adkins released his first Christmas album,The King's Gift, on October 29, 2013.[34]
On April 6, 2015, Adkins announced he had signed withBroken Bow Records, under the Wheelhouse imprint.[35] In August 2015, Broken Bow announced that Adkins was one of the first artists signed to the label's new imprint, Wheelhouse Records.[36] His first single for the label was "Jesus and Jones", which was released to country radio on January 18, 2016, and peaked at number 41 on the Country Airplay chart. "Lit" was released to country radio on July 25, 2016, though it failed to chart. Both singles are on the albumSomething's Going On, which was released on March 31, 2017, via Wheelhouse Records, and its title track became a video.
On July 4, 2016, Adkins made a surprise appearance at his hometown Independence Day celebration in Sarepta, Louisiana. He joined on stage the Backbeat Boogie Band with several unrehearsed songs.[37]
In 2019, Adkins appeared onHardy's new album,Hixtape Volume 1. On the album, he appears on the song "Redneck Tendencies" withJoe Diffie.[38] also in 2019, Adkins later reunited with Blake Shelton in "Hell Right" in Shelton's completion albumFully Loaded: God's Country.
In 2012, Adkins signed a deal withtruck stop chainPilot Flying J to become the company's new spokesman.[39] Adkins also lent his signature voice to Firestone as part of the "Drive a Firestone" campaign to revitalize the brand in 2012.[40]
Adkins was a January–March 2008 contestant on NBC'sThe Celebrity Apprentice.[20] Each celebrity contestant was playing for donations to their selected charity. Adkins played for theFood Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. Adkins chose the charity because his daughter suffers from life-threatening reactions to peanuts, milk, and eggs. Ultimately, he was the runner-up of that season, losing toPiers Morgan.
Adkins returned for the All-Stars version ofThe All-Star Celebrity Apprentice. He was the project manager for his team, Plan B, in the first task, which was to sell meatballs and won $670,072, aCelebrity Apprentice record for a first task, for his charitythe American Red Cross. Together with Vegas illusionistPenn Jillette, Adkins made it to the finals again (becoming the first and only person in the history of the show to do so), where Adkins won and became the All-Star Celebrity Apprentice. He also broke the record for the highest amount of money raised for his charity by any one person in the history of the show, with $1,524,072 raised for the American Red Cross.
In 2019, Adkins became the host of a new series onINSP,Ultimate Cowboy Showdown. The series has run for three seasons.[41]
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Square Dance | Bayou Band member | as Tracy D. Adkins |
| 2008 | Trailer Park of Terror | The Man | |
| 2008 | An American Carol | Angel of Death/Trace Adkins | |
| 2010 | Tough Trade | Scared | Television movie |
| 2010 | Lifted | Jimmy Knox | |
| 2011 | The Lincoln Lawyer | Eddie Vogel | |
| 2012 | Wyatt Earp's Revenge | Mifflin Kenedy | |
| 2013 | A Country Christmas | Sheriff Arrington | |
| 2013 | Don't Let Me Go | Driver | |
| 2014 | The Virginian | The Virginian | Direct-to-video |
| 2014 | Moms' Night Out | Bones | |
| 2014 | Palominas | Judge Guilt Roads | |
| 2016 | Traded | Ty Stover | |
| 2016 | Deepwater Horizon | Massive Man | |
| 2016 | Stagecoach: The Texas Jack Story | Texas Jack | |
| 2017 | Hickok | Phil Poe | |
| 2018 | I Can Only Imagine | Scott Brickell | |
| 2019 | The Outsider | Marshal Walker | |
| 2019 | Bennett's War | Cal Bennett | |
| 2019 | Badland | "The General" Corbin Dandridge | |
| 2021 | Apache Junction | Captain Hensley | |
| 2021 | Old Henry | Uncle Al | |
| 2021 | 13 Minutes | Rick | |
| 2022 | Maneater | Harlan | |
| 2022 | Desperate Riders | Thorn | |
| 2023 | Among Wolves | Michael | |
| 2025 | Day of Reckoning | Big Buck | |
| 2026 | I Can Only Imagine 2 | Scott Brickell | Post-production |
| Year | Show | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | King of the Hill | Big John | Episode: "Livin' on Reds, Vitamin C and Propane" (voice) |
| 2003-2004 | Hollywood Squares | Himself | 5 episodes Season 5 May 19–23, 2003, 5 episodes Season 6 Apr 5–9, 2004 |
| 2004 | Yes, Dear | Curtis | Episode: "Greg and Jimmy's Criminals" |
| 2004-2005 | King of the Hill | Elvin Mackleston | 3 episodes (voice) |
| 2005 | Higglytown Heroes | Cowboy Hero | Episode: "Higgly Hoedown" (voice) |
| 2005 | Blue Collar TV | Himself | Episode: "Battle of the Sexes" |
| 2005 | My Name is Earl | Himself | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2007-2009 | Extreme Makeover: Home Edition | Himself | 2 episodes |
| 2008 | The Young and the Restless | Himself | Episode: "#1.8885" |
| 2008 | The Celebrity Apprentice | Himself / Contestant | Runner-up |
| 2009 | The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson | Himself | Episode: "1/21/2009 Trace Adkins, Perez Hilton" |
| 2010 | Ace of Cakes | Himself | Episode: "A Four Letter Word for Pastry" |
| 2012 | American Dad! | Transvestite | Episode: "The Unbrave One" (voice) |
| 2013 | All-Star Celebrity Apprentice | Himself / Contestant | Winner |
| 2013 | To Appomattox | John Gregg | 4 episodes |
| 2015 | The Night Shift | Smalls | Episode: "Moving On" |
| 2015 | Moonbeam City | Sizzle Conrad | Episode: "Glitzotrene: One Town's Seduction" |
| 2018 | The Voice | Himself/Advisor | Season 14 ofTeam Blake |
| 2019–present | Ultimate Cowboy Showdown | Host | 3 seasons broadcast; 4th one in production |
| 2022 | Monarch | Albie Roman | Main cast |
| 2023 | Barmageddon | Himself | Episode: "Mike Vrabel vs. Trace Adkins" |
Adkins has two daughters, Tarah and Sarah, with his first wife, Barbara Lewis, and three daughters with his third wife, the former Rhonda Forlaw: Mackenzie, Brianna, and Trinity. Adkins endorsedMitt Romney and performed at the2012 Republican National Convention inTampa, Florida.[42] He performed the National Anthem at Tennessee governorBill Haslam's second inauguration in 2015 and a year later during candidateDonald Trump's nomination at the2016 Republican National Convention.[43][44]
At age 17, Adkins was in an automobile accident in which his 1955 Chevrolet pickup truck hit a school bus head-on. He broke some ribs, punctured both lungs and his nose was partially torn off.[45] Adkins was forced to give upcollege football after a severe knee injury at Louisiana Tech. He has also experienced a number of serious injuries as an adult, including being shot by his second ex-wife Julie Curtis in 1994.[citation needed] The bullet went through his heart and both lungs. He survived and chose not to press charges. They got divorced after three years of marriage.[46] In 1989, Adkins, along with nine coworkers, were stranded on an offshore oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico duringHurricane Chantal.[45]
In 2001, Adkins entered a 28-day alcohol rehabilitation facility. After relapsing in early 2014, Adkins checked into rehabilitation foralcoholism after getting into an altercation on a cruise ship.[47] In March 2014, Rhonda filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences.[48] Rhonda and Trace then dismissed and expunged the divorce petition via T.C.A. Section 36-4-127 (Expunction of Divorce Records upon Reconciliation of Parties) due to an attempted reconciliation.[49] Less than a month later, Trace filed for divorce. Since this time, the matter has been pending, with the parties awaiting finalization of their divorce. On August 24, 2023, the Tennessee Court of Appeals finalized said divorce.[49] The case has now been remanded to the lower court.
On October 12, 2019, Adkins married Canadian actressVictoria Pratt inNew Orleans,Louisiana.[50]
 | This list of songs or music-related items isincomplete; you can help byadding missing items.(October 2021) |
| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | ACM Top New Male Vocalist | Won |
| 2008 | CMT Male Video of the Year - "I Got My Game On" | Won |
| Grammy -Best Male Country Vocal Performance - "You're Gonna Miss This" | Nominated | |
| Grammy -Best Country Song - "You're Gonna Miss This" (Ashley Gorley & Lee Thomas Miller) | Nominated | |
| 2009 | ACM Single of the Year - "You're Gonna Miss This" | Won |
| Grammy -Best Male Country Vocal Performance - "All I Ask For Anymore" | Nominated | |
| Grammy -Best Country Song - "All I Ask For Anymore" (Casey Beathard & Tim James) | Nominated | |
| 2010 | ACM Vocal Event of the Year - "Hillbilly Bone" with Blake Shelton | Won |
| CMT Award - Collaborative Video of the Year - "Hillbilly Bone" with Blake Shelton | Won |
...country singer Trace Adkins in 1962 (age 59)...
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