History of Trace Adkins in Timeline
Tracy Adkins is an American country music singer who debuted in 1996 with the album "Dreamin' Out Loud." He is signed to Capitol Records Nashville and has released a total of 10 studio albums and two "Greatest Hits" compilations. More than 20 of Adkins' singles have appeared on the Billboard country music charts. Three of his most popular hits, "(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing," "Ladies Love Country Boys," and "You're Gonna Miss This" peaked at Number One in 1997, 2007, and 2008, respectively.
1923: Birth of James W. Carraway
James W. Carraway, Trace Adkins' maternal uncle and a Christian musician, was born in 1923.
1955: Serious Car Accident
At the age of 17, Adkins was involved in a serious car accident in 1955 when his Chevrolet pickup truck collided head-on with a school bus, resulting in several injuries, including broken ribs, punctured lungs, and a partially torn nose.
January 13, 1962: Birth of Trace Adkins
On January 13, 1962, Tracy Darrell Adkins, known professionally as Trace Adkins, was born in Sarepta, Louisiana.
1989: Stranded on Oil Rig During Hurricane Chantal
In 1989, Trace Adkins, along with nine of his coworkers, faced a harrowing experience when they became stranded on an offshore oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico during Hurricane Chantal.
1992: Move to Nashville
In 1992, Trace Adkins moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to further pursue his music career.
1994: Shooting Incident and Divorce
In 1994, Trace Adkins suffered a life-threatening incident when he was shot by his second wife, Julie Curtis. The bullet passed through his heart and both lungs. He survived and decided not to press charges. They divorced after 3 years.
1994: Meeting Rhonda Forlaw
Trace Adkins met Rhonda Forlaw, an executive at Arista Records Nashville, in late 1994, a pivotal moment in his career.
1996: Debut Album "Dreamin' Out Loud"
Trace Adkins released his debut album, "Dreamin' Out Loud," in 1996 under Capitol Records Nashville.
1996: Release of "There's a Girl in Texas"
Trace Adkins released his debut single, "There's a Girl in Texas," in 1996, marking his first entry on the Billboard charts.
1997: Awarded "Top New Male Artist"
Trace Adkins was recognized as the "Top New Male Artist" by the Academy of Country Music in 1997.
1997: "(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing" Hits Number One
Trace Adkins achieved his first Number One hit on the Billboard country music charts with "(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing" in 1997.
1997: First Number One Single Since "(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing"
Trace Adkins achieved his second Number One single on the country charts with "Ladies Love Country Boys" in 2006, his first chart-topper since 1997's "(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing."
1998: Appearance on "Austin City Limits"
Trace Adkins made an appearance on the renowned PBS music program "Austin City Limits" during season 23 in 1998.
1999: Release of Third Album, "More..."
Trace Adkins' third studio album, "More...," was released in late 1999, featuring his daughter Mackenzie in the title track's music video.
2001: Tractor Accident and Rehabilitation
In 2001, Trace Adkins was involved in a tractor accident, leading to canceled tours and, later, a 28-day alcohol rehabilitation program in Nashville.
2001: Entry into Alcohol Rehabilitation Facility
In 2001, recognizing the need to address his struggles with alcohol, Trace Adkins made the decision to enter a 28-day rehabilitation facility, marking a significant step in his journey towards recovery.
2002: "Chrome" Reaches Top 5
Trace Adkins' album "Chrome" achieved a Top 5 ranking on the country albums charts in 2002, marking a career milestone.
2003: Induction into the Grand Ole Opry
Trace Adkins was inducted into the prestigious Grand Ole Opry in 2003.
February 2004: Guest Appearance on "Yes, Dear"
Trace Adkins, along with Travis Tritt, made a guest appearance as prison convicts in a February 2004 episode of the television series "Yes, Dear."
December 2004: Release of "Arlington"
"Arlington," the first single from Trace Adkins' upcoming album, was released in December 2004, sparking controversy for its lyrical content.
March 2005: Release of "Songs About Me" Album
Trace Adkins released his album "Songs About Me" in March 2005, featuring the controversial single "Arlington" and the crossover hit "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk."
2005: "Songs About Me" Achieves Double Platinum
Trace Adkins' album "Songs About Me," released in 2005, became his highest-selling album, achieving 2x Multi-Platinum certification for shipping two million copies.
2006: Release of "Dangerous Man"
Trace Adkins' seventh studio album, "Dangerous Man," was released in 2006, featuring the Number One hit "Ladies Love Country Boys."
August 2007: Release of "I Got My Game On"
Trace Adkins released the single "I Got My Game On" in August 2007, initially planned as the lead single for a new album that was later scrapped in favor of a greatest hits compilation.
2007: "Ladies Love Country Boys" Tops the Charts
Trace Adkins scored his second Number One single on the country charts with "Ladies Love Country Boys" in 2007.
2007: Release of "A Personal Stand: Observations and Opinions from a Free-Thinking Roughneck"
Trace Adkins' autobiography, titled "A Personal Stand: Observations and Opinions from a Free-Thinking Roughneck," was released in late 2007.
March 2008: The Celebrity Apprentice Appearance
Trace Adkins appeared as a contestant on the NBC reality show "The Celebrity Apprentice" from January to March 2008. Adkins used this platform to raise funds for the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, a cause close to his heart as his daughter has severe allergies to peanuts, milk, and eggs. He finished the season as the runner-up, with Piers Morgan ultimately winning the competition.
November 2008: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Appearance
In November 2008, Trace Adkins and his family participated in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. They rode on the "Jimmy Dean" float and he performed his hit song "You're Gonna Miss This."
2008: Release of "Muddy Water" and X Album
In 2008, Trace Adkins released "Muddy Water," the lead single from his album "X." The album was released later that year on November 25th. The music video for the song featured fellow Celebrity Apprentice competitor Stephen Baldwin. "Muddy Water" achieved moderate success, reaching the Top 30 on the country charts.
2008: Trace Adkins Competes on "The All-Star Celebrity Apprentice"
Trace Adkins participated as a finalist on the reality competition show "The All-Star Celebrity Apprentice" in 2008.
2008: Death of James W. Carraway
James W. Carraway, Trace Adkins' maternal uncle, passed away in 2008.
2008: "You're Gonna Miss This" Reaches Number One
"You're Gonna Miss This" became Trace Adkins' third Number One hit on the Hot Country Songs chart in 2008.
October 18, 2009: Appearance on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
On October 18, 2009, Trace Adkins joined Ty Pennington and the design team on the television show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" to help build a new home for the Marshall family.
November 2009: Shine All Night Tour
Trace Adkins embarked on the "Shine All Night Tour" in November 2009, co-headlining with fellow country artist Martina McBride.
2009: Kansas City Chiefs Advertising Campaign
Trace Adkins appeared in local Kansas City commercials in 2009 to promote season tickets for the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs, who were celebrating their 50th season.
January 2010: Record Label Change
Trace Adkins made a significant career move in January 2010 by leaving his long-time record label, Capitol Nashville, and signing a new deal with Show Dog-Universal Music.
February 13, 2010: Tour Bus Accident
Tragically, on February 13, 2010, two individuals lost their lives in a car accident involving one of Trace Adkins' tour buses. The small truck they were in crossed the center line and collided with the bus. While some of Adkins' band members were on the bus and sustained minor injuries, Adkins himself was not on board at the time.
May 17, 2010: Release of "This Ain't No Love Song"
On May 17, 2010, Trace Adkins released "This Ain't No Love Song," the debut single from his ninth studio album, "Cowboy's Back In Town." This marked his first release under his new label, Show Dog-Universal Music.
May 29, 2010: "This Ain't No Love Song" Chart Debut
Trace Adkins's single "This Ain't No Love Song" debuted on the charts on May 29, 2010, entering at number 54.
October 10, 2010: National Anthem Performance at Dallas Cowboys Stadium
Trace Adkins performed the National Anthem at Dallas Cowboys Stadium on October 10, 2010.
December 18, 2010: Performance at WWE's Tribute to the Troops
Trace Adkins performed at WWE's annual "Tribute to the Troops" event on December 18, 2010, receiving a warm welcome from the soldiers in attendance.
January 10, 2011: Release of "Brown Chicken, Brown Cow"
Trace Adkins released "Brown Chicken, Brown Cow," the second single from his album "Cowboy's Back In Town," to country radio on January 10, 2011.
March 2011: Release of "Just Fishin'"
In March 2011, Trace Adkins released the heartwarming single "Just Fishin'," featuring his youngest daughter, Trinity, in the music video, which was filmed at their farm. The song performed well, reaching number six on the Billboard charts.
April 2011: Publicly Reveals Crush on Kim Mulkey
During a performance in April 2011, Trace Adkins revealed that he had a crush on Kim Mulkey, the head coach of the Baylor Lady Bears basketball team, back when they were both students at Louisiana Tech. He even dedicated his performance of "One in a Million You" to her.
May 13, 2011: Appearance on WWE SmackDown
Trace Adkins made a special appearance as an audience member on the WWE program "SmackDown" on May 13, 2011. The episode was broadcast live from Nashville, Tennessee.
June 4, 2011: House Fire
Tragedy struck on June 4, 2011, when Trace Adkins' home in Brentwood, Tennessee, was destroyed in a fire. The incident occurred around 3:35 pm.
October 20, 2011: National Anthem Performance at the World Series
Trace Adkins performed the National Anthem at game two of the 2011 World Series, held in St. Louis, on October 20, 2011.
December 2011: Phone Call with Kim Mulkey
In December 2011, facilitated by Mulkey's sister, Trace Adkins and Kim Mulkey had a phone conversation. During the call, Mulkey invited Adkins to perform at one of Baylor's home basketball games.
February 2012: Guest Appearance on Meat Loaf Album
Trace Adkins lent his vocals to Meat Loaf's album "Hell in a Handbasket" in February 2012, appearing as a guest artist.
February 2012: National Anthem Performance at Baylor Lady Bears Game
Trace Adkins, unable to attend the game Mulkey initially invited him to, instead performed the National Anthem at the Baylor Lady Bears' home game against the Texas A&M Aggies in February 2012.
March 2012: Visit and Support for Baylor Lady Bears
While on tour in Kansas City in March 2012, Trace Adkins visited the Baylor Lady Bears basketball team to offer encouragement before their NCAA Championships semi-final game. Later that week, the team returned the favor by attending one of Adkins' concerts.
September 29, 2012: National Anthem Performance at West Virginia Mountaineers Game
Trace Adkins had the distinguished honor of performing "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the West Virginia Mountaineers' home football game against the Baylor Bears on September 29, 2012. This marked only the third time in the 32-year history of Mountaineer Field that the national anthem was performed live.
2012: Endorsement of Mitt Romney and Performance at Republican National Convention
In 2012, Trace Adkins publicly endorsed Mitt Romney for president and delivered a performance at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida.
2012: Brand Endorsement Deals
Trace Adkins secured several brand endorsement deals in 2012. He became the spokesperson for Pilot Flying J, a prominent truck stop chain, and also lent his distinctive voice to Firestone's "Drive a Firestone" advertising campaign, which aimed to revitalize the brand's image.
May 13, 2013: Release of "Watch the World End"
"Watch the World End," the lead single from Trace Adkins' album "Love Will...," hit country radio on May 13, 2013.
May 14, 2013: Release of "Love Will..." Album
Trace Adkins released his album "Love Will..." on May 14, 2013.
September 2013: Departure from Showdog Records
In September 2013, it was officially announced that Trace Adkins was no longer with Showdog Records. The information was made public via the label's website.
October 29, 2013: Release of "The King's Gift"
Trace Adkins released his debut Christmas album, titled "The King's Gift," on October 29, 2013.
2013: Trace Adkins Wins "The All-Star Celebrity Apprentice"
Trace Adkins emerged as the winner of "The All-Star Celebrity Apprentice" in 2013.
March 2014: Rehabilitation and Divorce Filing
Following an altercation on a cruise ship, Adkins checked into rehab for alcoholism in early 2014. Subsequently, his wife Rhonda filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences. Although they attempted reconciliation, Trace filed for divorce less than a month later.
April 6, 2015: Signing with Broken Bow Records
Trace Adkins' career took another turn on April 6, 2015, when it was announced that he had signed a new record deal with Broken Bow Records, specifically under their Wheelhouse imprint.
August 2015: Signing with Wheelhouse Records
In August 2015, it was revealed that Trace Adkins was among the initial artists to be signed to Wheelhouse Records, a newly established imprint under the Broken Bow Records umbrella.
2015: Performance at Bill Haslam's Inauguration
Trace Adkins performed the National Anthem at the second inauguration ceremony of Tennessee governor Bill Haslam in 2015.
January 18, 2016: Release of "Jesus and Jones"
Trace Adkins released "Jesus and Jones" on January 18, 2016, as his debut single under the Broken Bow Records label. The song performed moderately well, peaking at number 41 on the Country Airplay chart.
July 4, 2016: Surprise Performance at Sarepta Independence Day Celebration
Trace Adkins made an unexpected appearance at his hometown's Independence Day celebration in Sarepta, Louisiana, on July 4, 2016. He surprised the crowd by joining the Backbeat Boogie Band on stage for an impromptu performance of several songs.
July 25, 2016: Release of "Lit"
Trace Adkins released the single "Lit" to country radio on July 25, 2016. However, the song failed to gain traction on the charts.
2016: Performance at Donald Trump's Nomination
During the 2016 Republican National Convention, Trace Adkins showed his support by performing the National Anthem at Donald Trump's nomination event.
March 31, 2017: Release of "Something's Going On" Album
Trace Adkins released his album "Something's Going On" on March 31, 2017, under the Wheelhouse Records label. The album's title track was also accompanied by a music video.
October 12, 2019: Marriage to Victoria Pratt
Trace Adkins married Canadian actress Victoria Pratt on October 12, 2019, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
2019: Collaborations with Hardy and Blake Shelton
In 2019, Trace Adkins collaborated with fellow country artists Hardy and Blake Shelton. He joined Hardy on the song "Redneck Tendencies," which also featured Joe Diffie, for Hardy's album "Hixtape Volume 1." Adkins also reunited with Blake Shelton on the song "Hell Right," featured on Shelton's album "Fully Loaded: God's Country."
2019: Host of "Ultimate Cowboy Showdown"
Trace Adkins added television host to his resume in 2019, taking the helm of "Ultimate Cowboy Showdown," a new series on INSP. The show has been successful, running for three seasons.
August 24, 2023: Finalization of Divorce from Rhonda Forlaw
On August 24, 2023, the Tennessee Court of Appeals finalized Trace Adkins' divorce from Rhonda Forlaw after a lengthy legal process, marking the end of their third marriage.