On the Cover – Trace Adkins

August 2006 – Studio/Producer/Engineer Special

Label: Capitol Nashville
Producers: Frank Rogers, Dann Huff, Kenny Beard, Casey Beathard, Trace Adkins
Current Single: Swing
Current Album: Dangerous Man
Current Video: Swing

Birth Date: January 13, 1962
Interests: Landscaping, gardening, camping, hunting, politics, civil war buff and moviegoer
Interesting Facts: Interesting Facts: 2006 marks Trace’s 10th year as a recording artist on Capitol Records Nashville. At age 23, Trace took a pipefitting job on an off-shore drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico. Special TV Appearances: PBS National Memorial Day Concert, Last Call with Carson Daly, Hannity & Colmes, Disney Channel Higglytown Heroes, King of the Hill, Yes, Dear, Orange Bowl National Championship Halftime Show, PBS Soundstage, Fox Sports Best Damn Sports Show Period, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Late Show with David Lettermam, Tonight Show with Jay Leno, ESPN Trace Adkins Chrome 300 Busch Series Race, Cold Pizza, Food Network Cowboy Cook-off, Emeril Live, Fox & Friends
Awards: Inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry
Hits: “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” “Songs About Me,” “Arlington” “Rough & Ready” “Hot Mama”
RIAA Certifications: Double Platinum- Songs About Me; Platinum- Comin’ On Strong, Dreamin’ Out Loud; Gold- Greatest Hits Collection Vol. 1, Chrome, Big Time

This marks the tenth year in Trace Adkins’ recording career and he has plenty of success to celebrate. His last CD, Songs About Me, sold more than two million units and contained the monster hit “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.” Today Adkins is still on a roll as he prepares for the release of his new project Dangerous Man. The debut single “Swing,” with its clever use of baseball metaphors in describing the art of romantic pursuit, has become a hit with fans of country music as well as baseball. Major League Baseball debuted the song it on its website, and it soon became a favorite at stadiums around the country. For Dangerous Man Trace even tried his hand as a producer, teaming with Casey Beathard and Kenny Beard on “I Wanna Feel Something.” He also continues to grow as a performer, landing the headlining slot on CMT’s arena-level tour this fall.

As Adkins’ career has grown people inside and outside the music industry have taken note. He is the voice behind KFC’s national advertising campaigns and has endorsement deals with Wrangler, Nocona Boot, Taylor Guitars, and many others. He even holds a spot on the Country Music Association Board of Directors.

“There are a lot of artists,” Trace says, “that can’t say, ‘I made it to the end of my contract.’ I’m proud of the fact that I did that for several reasons. An artist and a label have what amounts to a long-term marriage. They’re in the business of making art together. Times change, singers and styles go out of fashion, and key people at the labels come and go. Staying together for eight albums means we made it work during good times and bad, and it means I’ve made music people have wanted to be a part of for an entire decade. Yeah, I don’t mind saying I’m proud of that.”