STORY WRITTEN BY BRIAN BINGAMAN
bbingaman@thereporteronline.com
@brianbingaman on Twitter
Yes, Trace Adkins has new music scheduled for release in the New Year. But don’t expect to hear any of it in Reading Nov. 19.
In a phone interview, the “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” singer explained that the album’s title, song sequence and lead single are still being worked out. And besides, this tour is about the songs that you already know. “We do a greatest hits show. That’s what folks wanna hear, and that’s what we’re gonna give them,” Adkins said in that distinctly deep voice that you hear on TV selling Firestone tires.
“Voiceover’s great; you can do that in your underwear,” said Adkins, who has also voiced the character of Elvin in the animated series “King of the Hill.”
A few days after the interview, Adkins’ publicist announced that the new song, “Jesus and Jones,” would indeed be performed during
IF YOU GO
What: Trace Adkins in concert.
When: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19.
Where: Santander Performing Arts Center, 136 N. Sixth St., Reading.
Tickets: $29.50-$69.50. For an extra $25, you can add a pre-show dinner, which will take place on the mezzanine level of the main lobby (For reservations, call Heather Soltysik at (610) 898-7201).
Info.: Call (800) 745-3000 or go to www.santander-arena.com
the 90-minute show at the Santander Performing Arts Center. You also could hear such songs as “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing,” “Every Light in the House,” “I Left Something Turned on at Home,” “The Rest of Mine,” “You’re Gonna Miss This” and “Ladies Love Country Boys,” among others.
“Country music, as a genre, is about as healthy as it’s ever been,” commented Adkins, who signed with BBR Music Group this year, continuing his run in Nashville into its 20th year.
You’ve probably also seen the three-time Academy of Country Music Award-winner and two-time CMT Award-winner on TV raising awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project. The veterans charity organization was a natural fit, Adkins said, because of the work he’s done over the years for the USO and similar service organizations.
Adkins has recovered from several serious injuries throughout his life — including being shot through the heart (“These scars are the tracks of my tears,” he said with a laugh) — however, the humble celebrity spokesman would tell you they pale in comparison with what U.S. military personnel, that have served in the Middle East, have suffered through.
The winner of “All Star Celebrity Apprentice” in 2013, and author of the book “A Personal Stand: Observations and Opinions from a Freethinking Roughneck,” has also been on the big screen, acting in the movies “Moms’ Night Out” and “The Lincoln Lawyer.” “Acting is something I wanted to do, and my agents threw me in the fire,” he said, noting that he enjoyed acting in school plays.
When asked about working with Matthew McConaughey, Adkins replied: “He’s cool as hell. Great guy, man; super nice and very giving as an actor. He’d call me to come over to his trailer and we’d run scenes. He doesn’t have to do that.”
And to think, this all started with a Christmas gift of a guitar when Adkins was 10 years old. “All this craziness is basically his fault,” he said, referring to his father.
Trace Adkins
Photo by Kristin Barlowe