Trace Adkins dishes on sobriety, neardeath experiences and becoming a grandpa!
The musician-actor on fatherhood, forgiveness and growing up at 55
Many country stars sing about heartbreak, but few have endured it like Trace Adkins: During a fight over his drinking, his second wife, Julie, shot him in the heart! “I don’t believe she meant to do it,” Trace, 55, tells Closer. “It was just an unfortunate incident.” He didn’t press charges, but has he found it in his heart to forgive her? “Oh, sure. I guess God gives you the strength to forgive. And I’ve never been one to hold a grudge.”
He’s had many trials — life-threatening accidents, three divorces, visits to rehab in 2001 and 2014 for his battles with the bottle — but the now-sober 6-foot-6 Grand Ole Opry member has also lived a charmed life. He’s sold more than 10 million albums with hits like “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” and “Ladies Love Country Boys,” has five daughters and four grandkids he adores, won All-Star Celebrity Apprentice and is starring with his hero, Kris Kristofferson, in the new Western Hickok. “I guess I’ve overcome hardships because I want to see what’s going to happen next,” says the deep-voiced star. “It’s been an interesting trip!”
You’re on tour with a new CD Something’s Going On. So what’s been going on?
Well, I just had a birthday party for one of my grandsons out here on my farm
[in Tennessee]. My girls have given me grandchildren, and just experiencing that is something I look forward to.
What do your kids think of you?
They grew up backstage at the Grand Ole Opry, so I’m just ol’ Dad. If I can kick a soccer ball over the house, they’re impressed.
How old are your grandkids?
Aw man, now you’re putting me on the spot. [Laughs] I’m pretty sure they are age 5, 6, 9 and about 20 months. Being a grandfather is great. The only downside is when one of them will say, “Papa, I need this.” I’ll say “Who told you to ask me?” and they say “Mom!” I tell them to tell Mom that she needs to ask me herself. [Laughs]
That’s great, and it was nice to hear that you’ve given up drinking.
My single “Watered Down” is probably the most personal [of all my hit songs]. It talks about how, at some point, you have to grow up, face mortality and temper your vices.
Did any of your vices inspire this song?
A bunch of them. I don’t want to go into any of that, but it’s pretty well-documented. I get onstage and sing songs that come from the heart, that move me, which is cathartic.
And speaking of mortality, you’ve faced it many times: The tip of your nose had to be reattached after a car accident, you had a tractor fall on top of you, got pinned by a bulldozer, had to have a pinkie sewn back on after an accident while opening an oil-barrel lid…
And Kris [Kristofferson] told me one time that he was going to shoot me in the ass! I’m kidding — we were doing a scene — but he sounded like he meant it, and I was kind of afraid to be around him after that. He was a badass at times! [Laughs]
How have you been holding up since your ex-wife shot you 23 years ago?
I have some scar tissue in my heart, but I’ve got some really good doctors that monitor my situation, so it’s all good.
You seem like a very forgiving person...
I’ve seen people who beat me up once and told them, ‘Man, that was a good punch you threw!’ ” [Laughs]
Has any good come out of all your near-death experiences?
There have been occasions when I’m at Walter Reed [National Military Medical] Center and can use my story to help wounded warriors. I’ll pull my shirt up and say, “Hey, look at this!” They opened me from my neck to my navel, so when they see that, they know I can empathize.
Do you still keep challenging yourself?
I take roles that force me to be something I’m not, and every night I go onstage, that’s a challenge. You can’t phone that in. But I’m not as scared as I used to be, so it’s a very comfortable environment for me. It’s a sanctuary in a way.
“I put what I do for a living in perspective, and I don’t take myself too seriously!” — Trace
How so?
It seems like the only place where I’m in control. I have five daughters, so I’m seldom in control. I think they let me think that I am, but I know I’m not. [Laughs] I was very, very shy and still am. If I walk into a big social gathering, it’s overwhelming, but I’m a different person onstage. It’s helped me with people skills, I suppose.
What’s left on your to-do list?
I’ve achieved more than I ever dreamed I would. I want to continue on and enjoy my family and this career, but if I passed today, I think I would be pretty content with what I’ve accomplished.