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Trace Adkins Thrilled By Cheating Death

Trace Adkins may be one of country music's reigning superstars, but that doesn't mean he has always led a charmed life. With a personal history that includes 10 years on an oil rig, losing a finger in an accident, running over himself with a tractor while intoxicated, a DUI arrest and being shot in the heart by his now-ex-wife, Trace has had many moments that may cause the average person to look at the glass half empty. But for Trace, all those experiences are what make his life interesting.

"I've cheated death several times," Adkins tells the Washington Post. "There is no greater adrenaline rush than when you think there's a possibility you're about to die."

Not that he wants to repeat any of those experiences again. Now happily remarried and the father of five girls, Trace has an entirely different outlook on life. "I'm not really the party guy anymore," he says. "I play music! That's what I do for fun. I play golf now and then, and stand back and watch the kids grow up."

Trace may have encountered many obstacles in his own life, but he admits that he has been very fortunate in his career. "I don't have the story that I starved for years," he says. The Louisiana native moved to Nashville 17 years ago, because he says he knew he was "just as good a singer as most of the guys I was hearing on the radio. I didn't see any reason why I couldn't do it, too."

Five years after he moved, Trace met the man who at the time was the head of Capitol Records, Scott Hendricks, at baggage claim at the airport. Scott commented on Trace's deep speaking voice. Soon after that chance encounter, Trace was signed to the label, and the rest is history.

"I allowed myself to dream. but I didn't allow myself to hope, because I'm a realist," he says. "I knew what the odds were. I am one of those very fortunate people that my hobby turned into a career ... I'm still that country boy who grew up in the country environment. I just have a weird job."


Trace Adkins Tour Dates
on TourTracker.com

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Taylor

Trace is an awesome singer. And for those of you that want to bash him, I didn't know you walked on water; find somewhere else to hang...
I had the opportunity to meet him, albeit at a meet and greet for about two minutes, and he is as down to earth as the next person, very nice. Keep up the great work, Trace!!

July 14 2009 at 9:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
livi042254

Trace is the best! I have met him 6 times and I can tell you he is very down to earth and a sweetheart. To all of you critics, everyone mistakes in life...what counts is he learned from them. Love you, Trace!!!!

July 13 2009 at 10:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Misipi6gun

I was a big fan of Trace and Bocephus when I listened to country music .... 2 of the best in the industry .... Their lives were spared from violent dismembering deaths countless times by a Merciful and forgiving Christ Jesus for some reason .... their reason was that GOD had something for them to do . I agree , for a much higher calling and using their GOD given talents for the LORD .... 2 of the greatest Suthern country music performers that ever lived !

July 11 2009 at 4:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
hilliardn2

I have seen his concerts from oaklahoma, tennessee, texas, to Illinois. 32 concerts in all. Love his ability to put life into song. Nobody does it better. Does anybody know if his wife is a S.D.A from illinois?

July 11 2009 at 3:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Misipi6gun

Help with how to get forgotten password on the boot .... there's no link to it like there ued to be and it won't let me re - register..... it 404's out

July 11 2009 at 2:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
KATHRYN THIGPEN

First of all to Mister8116...country hick??? I don't know where you are from but they must not have anyone there to teach manners, etiquette, and many other social graces. There are HICKS in all parts of the country including yours. In fact you'd qualify as one of the best. Give me a country hick anyday to a smart a__ idiot.
Secondly, Trace Adkins is the ultimate entertainer. His heart may have been shot, but it needed a little readjustment to get him where he is today...a happily married man, with a wonderful family, and a job he loves. And God has blessed him in so many, many ways and he does acknowledge that. His type of talent can not be learned, it is a Gift from above and comes as naturally as breathing to him. You can tell that in every song he sings. The best song so far is the one he wrote to his wife when they got married, THE END OF MINE. My husband has it sung for us (by someone else, unfortunately)everytime we go out to a local club we are members of. Thank you Trace for that beautiful song. We've been married for 43 years almost and it says exactly how we felt about each other from that first day we met until today, until the end of ours.
I wish for Trace a looooong and happy career and keep the great songs coming. YOU'RE GONNA MISS THIS CD was a gift to my granddaughter at her high school graduation, It seemed fitting for the occasion. THANK YOU TRACE FOR A JOB WELL DONE.

July 11 2009 at 1:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Amy

sunbonnetquilter...I think maybe YOU need to read the article carefully, honey. "driving a tractor while intoxicated and 'DUI arrest" are separated by this little thing called a comma, therefore designating them as 2 separate things.....where in the world did YOU see that it said he was arrested for DUI BECAUSE he drove the tractor while drunk????

July 11 2009 at 1:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Misipi6gun

help with password

July 11 2009 at 1:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kt

I love Trace Adkins. He's a fantastic singer and performer and a nice man and great father to boot. And "Honkytonk Badonkadonk" is my anthem!

July 11 2009 at 1:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Misipi6gun

forgot password

July 11 2009 at 1:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply