• ABOUT
    • Contact
    • The Team
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Events
    • FAQ
    • Use & Privacy Policy
  • ADVERTISE
  • ROWFAX
  • THE SPORTS CREDENTIAL
  • JOB LISTINGS
MusicRow.com
  • CALENDARS
    • Album/EP Releases
    • Single/Track Releases
    • Industry Events
  • OBITS
  • CHARTS
    • Radio Chart (Current)
    • Radio Chart (Archives)
    • No. 1 Challenge Coin
    • Songwriter Chart (Current)
    • Songwriter Chart (Archives)
  • REVIEWS
  • MY STORY
  • NEWSLETTER
    • Newsletter (Current)
    • SIGN UP (FREE!)
    • Newsletter (Archives)
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • STORE
  • Search
  • Menu Menu

Trace Adkins: ‘If I Never Make Another Record, This Would Be The One I’d Like To End With’ [Interview]

August 27, 2021/by Lydia Farthing

Trace Adkins. Photo: Kristin Barlowe

Multi-Platinum country recording artist Trace Adkins has returned to the spotlight to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his debut LP, Dreamin’ Out Loud. To commemorate the impressive milestone, his new project, The Way I Wanna Go, is available everywhere today (Aug. 27) through Verge Records.

Marking his 13th studio album, this new project includes 25 tracks, including the already released “Empty Chair,” “Heartbreak Song,” and “Where The Country Girls At” with Luke Bryan and Pitbull. However, out of over two dozen new songs, Adkins is joined by quite the cast of collaborators, such as Blake Shelton, Melissa Etheridge, Keb’ Mo’ and Stevie Wonder on harmonica, and Snoop Dogg.

Produced by Mickey Jack Cones and Derek George, The Way I Wanna Go shows Adkins as he looks back on his career which began in 1996.

As a Grand Ole Opry member for nearly two decades, the Louisiana native quickly cracked the Top 5 of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart after his debut with “Every Light In the House Is On,” following with the No. 1 smash, “This Ain’t (No Thinkin’ Thing).” In his 25-year career in country music, Adkins has sold over 11 million albums, charted more than 20 singles, earned numerous awards and Grammy nominations, and garnered over two billion streams.

Adkins recently sat down with MusicRow to discuss his quarter-of-a-decade career, the new album, and the next 25 years.

MusicRow: How have the last 16 months been for you?

I’ve been in the studio the whole time, which is why we ended up with 25 songs on this record. We had plenty of time so we just kept cutting stuff. My voice was rested and I felt great, so we just kept moving.

What are some of your favorite moments with fans from the past 25 years?

Trace Adkins graces the cover of MusicRow Magazine in November of 1997.

Anytime you can perform a song and the audience is moved to their feet is an unbelievable experience. I wish everybody on earth could experience that feeling at some point in their lives. It’s just indescribable, and I cherish every time that’s happened.

Out of all of your songs, which ones are you favorite?

I’ve had several No. 1 records which is always great, but my favorite songs throughout my career have tended to be album cuts that, for whatever reason, didn’t seem to be deemed commercial enough to be singles. Those meant the most to me. When I perform some of those songs and people react to them the way they moved me, it’s very gratifying.

People have asked me, “How would I get to know Trace Adkins?” I say, “Listen to the album cuts.” That’s who every artist really is. Most of the time the singles are the commercial ones, but the ones that are very personal usually end up being the album cuts.

Looking back, are there any big moment in your 25-year career that you wish you could go back and re-experience?

I would say when “Every Light In The House Is On ” came out and did what it did. That was the song that gave me confidence that maybe I could do this as a career. I look back on that song and it means so much to me, even to this day.

What was the process of putting together this 25th anniversary album?

There were things that I had been wanting to do for years–collaborations and songs that I’d written that I hadn’t put on an album. I wanted to include those on this project, and those were the kinds of things that COVID afforded me the opportunity to do.

It’s horrible for me to say, but this was one of the best years of my life. I know how horrible it’s been for everybody else but for me, personally, it was awesome.

What was it like to work with such a broad spectrum of artists on this project? How did you dream up this lineup?

This is such a significant list of people that I never would have allowed myself to dream that big. I never would have thought that I could reach out to people of this status and actually have them respond and work with me on something. There is an iconic list of people that performed on this record. I’m so fortunate that these people agreed to do this. I’m just honored to have them on there.

Do you have a track on the album that you’re most excited for fans to hear?

I don’t usually like to name a favorite because every song on there is something that I poured my heart and soul into in the studio. I exercised my creative muscles to the best of my ability, so it’s hard to pick a favorite. However, “The Way I Wanna Go” is one of my favorites along with “Honey Child.” “I Should Let You Go” is gut-wrenching every time I perform it.

Do you think it’s a record that really captures the last 25 years well for you?

I think it does. If I never make another record, this would be the one I’d like to end with.

What are you most excited about as you move on to your next 25 years?

I’m looking forward to being 80 years old and walking out on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. I’m going to go out there, dance to “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” and embarrass my grandchildren.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Lydia Farthing
Follow me
Lydia Farthing
As Staff Writer and Content Manager, Lydia Farthing helps to generate online content for MusicRow as well as for MusicRow’s annual print issues. As a Nashville local, Lydia has spent her life immersed in the music industry. Prior to MusicRow, she spent time working closely with Provident Music Group's publishing division as well as Aristo Media's digital sector. Lydia graduated from the Music Business program at Middle Tennessee State University in December of 2020.
Lydia Farthing
Follow me
Latest posts by Lydia Farthing (see all)
  • Nate Smith Nabs First Chart-Topper With Debut Single, ‘Whiskey On You’ - January 30, 2023
  • Ross Copperman Makes His Way Into The Top Five On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart - January 30, 2023
  • Weekly Register: Hardy Makes Massive Debuts On Country Albums & Songs Charts - January 30, 2023
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TA_PressPhoto_KristinBarlowe-scaled.jpg 1707 2560 Lydia Farthing https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png Lydia Farthing2021-08-27 10:29:062021-08-27 10:29:06Trace Adkins: ‘If I Never Make Another Record, This Would Be The One I’d Like To End With’ [Interview]

RECENT NEWS

  • Weekly Register: Zach Bryan Scores Top Country Album Debut October 2, 2023
  • Oliver Anthony Re-Enters Top 5 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart October 2, 2023
  • Parmalee Notches 4th No. 1 Single With ‘Girl In Mine’ October 2, 2023
  • Colin Stough To Release Debut EP, ‘Promiseland’ October 2, 2023
  • Thomas Rhett Brings Bridgestone Arena Together For A Fun Night Of Music October 2, 2023
  • Dallas Smith Shares Two Tracks From Forthcoming Self-Titled Project October 2, 2023
  • ACM LEVel Up Program Opens Applications & Nominations For 2024 October 2, 2023
  • Mark Your Calendar—October 2023 October 2, 2023
  • BFD / Audium Nashville Acquires Rights To Release Louisiana Hayride Series October 2, 2023
  • Headliners Set For ‘New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash’ October 2, 2023
  • Jon Pardi Announces Christmas Album, Special New York Holiday Show October 2, 2023
  • Brad Paisley Releases ‘Son Of The Mountains: The First Four Tracks’ October 2, 2023
  • New IRS Rule Affects Concert Ticket Resellers September 29, 2023
  • Neil Medley Shares His Stories On Debut Project, ‘South End Kid’ September 29, 2023
  • Worldwide Stages Announces Investment Opportunity In Its Production Campus September 29, 2023

Like Us on Facebook

Follow Us on Twitter

Tweets by MusicRow
© 2023 Music Row Enterprises, LLC – All rights reserved.
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
Scroll to top