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Trace Atkins is the real deal
Article from Tallapoosa Journal November 26, 2007

The wonderful thing I love about the Country music business over my days in rock radio is the artists and the ability to forge a genuine friendship with some of the acts that have made an impact on the industry.

I really treasure the books that I have autographed by some of the legends and superstars of the genre. Loretta Lynn's signed copy of a first edition of "Coal Miner's Daughter" is a treasured prize. I also have signed books from George Jones that I get to introduce at the new Cobb Energy Center on Friday, December 7th. He was married to Tammy Wynette who wrote a book about her life in a hard scrabble existence in northern Alabama and Mississippi to take the chance of moving to Nashville to follow her dream of being a star. I loved Tammy Wynette because she treated me like a first cousin. Most artists on the Country charts are exceptional people.

In the mid '90's I met a six foot six inch tall fellow from Sarepta, Louisiana that makes Tallapoosa sound like Los Angeles. Trace Atkins has made quite a splash over the years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry and as an artist that has played to fans from clubs to large outdoor arenas. His fan base is largely made up of female fans who love his rich bass voice. Guys love his singing too because Trace is the kind of guy you'd want to go fishing with or to a ball game.

Trace Adkins has now tried his hand as a writer with the release of his new book "Trace Adkins A Personal Stand". It is billed as observations and opinions from a freethinking roughneck. Trace worked as a roughneck on oil rigs out in the Gulf of Mexico putting in twelve hour days and strumming his guitar and writing songs in his off time.
Trace followed his heart and formed a band that played Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas and New Mexico in every honky tonk and bar from Clovis to Biloxi and developed his style stemming from a rich background in Country music and Southern rock. Trace Atkins also at one time was a bass singer in a Gospel quartet but quit when a preacher asked him not to come in to sing in a church because of his long trade mark ponytail was felt ill suited for his congregation.

His big break came when he auditioned for the head of Capitol Records and in 1996 his career began to steam roll. His "Every Light In The House Is On" and "Chrome" are huge crowd pleasers when he performs them on stage. "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" is the first song my youngest daughter reacted to just before she turned a year old two years ago.

Trace Adkin's book is not for the faint of heart or for the easily offended. He has opinions on just about everything and he like most of us are concerned about the leadership crisis America is facing. Illegal immigration, the environment, nuclear power and the politics of the music industry are addressed and no punches are pulled. He is the only guy I can think of that has cheated death about a half dozen times and had an ex wife that put a bullet through his heart. He lived to tell about it and he forgave her.

His family is his refuge on his large farm just south of Nashville. He has five daughters and I can tell you for sure that will ground any man.

Trace has fought the demons of drugs and is quite candid about his battles with alcoholism. He has been clean and sober now for years.

I have long admired Trace Adkins because you know where you stand with him and he will give you an honest answer to any question you might have for him.

He has played in my celebrity golf classic a few times over the years and he has given me an honest assessment of my golf swing. Trace says I stink.

You just might enjoy reading about an American original. He reminds me of a combination of John Wayne and Johnny Cash. Trace Adkins IS the genuine article.