Trace Adkins Draws on Devastating Divorce for New Song
Trace Adkins' "I Can't Outrun You" is one of the most passionate songs I've heard this year. Not only have we all had ghosts of the past that sometimes lurk in the shadows of everyday, but I felt as though Trace's conviction was real, that the raw emotion he brings to this song was not just for show. It was genuine. You can feel it. So when I had the chance to speak with him recently, I couldn't wait to ask him about this song. What he told me came as no surprise.
"I've been through horrendous divorces," he told me. "And I can say this without the fear of upsetting my wife. She knows I love her and everything's cool. But when my first wife and I got divorced, I was devastated. I mean, I was heartbroken. I mean, totally, and I didn't ever think I'd get past it. Really, there were days when I didn't think I was simply going to live through that heartache. It manifested itself into physical pain. I could feel it. It hurt that bad and I just couldn't get away from it. So when I recorded this song, I went back there in my head and what that felt like. That's where this song comes from."
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Debbie SC says:
This song is one of Trace’s best!!!! I just love it….
Kerry says:
A beautiful, deeply touching and haunting song, sung by someone who knows how to deliver it with simple grace and true passion. Anyone who has experienced this level of pain will relate immediately and possibly (like me) have a difficult time getting through it withput a few tears.
The masses need to listen to ALL that this man can do…not just the fun up-tempo songs. Trace is a fantastic talent who has not been shown appropiate appreciation from the industry (you know who you are). It is time for those in that position to rectify their oversite.
RedMaZ says:
Way too sappy for me. Grow a pair.
Kevin says:
Great song. Trace is definitely a great country artist. Im not going to argue about it because thats not what this blog is about, but anybody who knows about Trace and his history knows that he “grew a pair” a long time ago.
luvncountry says:
Right on Kevin- Trace ain’t no wuss. He’s been beat up, shot up, run over, etc. I’d say he’s passed the test of tough. I haven’t heard the song yet, but I’m sure I’ll love it!
Indiana Hot Mama says:
Once again Trace has drawn upon his past and delivered a soul seaching, spine tingling performance of a heartfelt, emotional ballad. ANYONE who has ever experienced a difficult break-up or loss of a loved one can relate to this song. It is a very souful and haunting ballad that SHOULD be commercially successful. I hope it is released as a single.
Trace’s “pair” needs no introduction - they speak for themselves!
RedMaZ says:
They speak for themselves??? Maybe next time they should do the singing too!
luvncountry says:
RedMaz, do you EVER have anything nice to say about Pop Country music? If not, we could use LESS of your input. Stick to what YOU like best and leave us who like Pop country alone. Yeegads! What a downer you are.
Fay says:
An amazing song. I think this song will touch nearly everyone right where the pain lives and it could be very cathartic. Sappy? Not in a million years. Passionate and heartfelt? Absolutely! Trace, and that magnificent voice he shares with us all, has once again delivered a musical masterpiece that will touch every single one who hears it right where it counts - in the heart!
Ham says:
You can really hear how much Trace’s singing skills have developed on this song. Great delivery.
RedMaZ says:
“yeegads”??? Are you a pirate? Throw me in a…”argh” and a “avast ye matey” too.
luvncountry says:
Have an answer for everything eh RedMaz? Well don’t count on me being ready to bow down to the highny or highness anytime soon. You may be a Americana/Roots music expert, but on the pop country blogs, you’re too much of a downer. At least when most people here have a negative comment on an pc artist, they can find something nice to say about a different one. You just disparage them ALL - artist and genre on all pc blogs. You like THAT word (disparage) better?
RedMaZ says:
Yes, I do like that word. All I’m doing is reading these music blogs and commenting on them. That’s what they are here for, and I’m certainly not going to change my view on something just so as I’m not a downer to you. “argh” ;)
luvncountry says:
oh darn, and here I was believing in miracles for the season. At least it’s Friday and I can take the weekend
off from reading any of your disparaging remarks. That’s ok, I trust I can count on you to be CONSISTENT, because when I return, I’ll know what all your comments will have been- downers! Enjoy your cozy cave coming up with all those zinging one-liners for everyone else.
In the meantime, I’ll be listening to all my POSITIVE-ly wonderful POP COUNTRY tunes. Bring it on Keith, Brad, Kellie, B&D, MG, LeAnn, TRACE….
RedMaZ says:
Just the idea of you recognizing there is such a thing as Pop Country Music and Americana/Roots Music is thanks enough. You’re welcome and…shiver me timbers! ;]
luvncountry says:
I never said I DIDN’T recognize there were other forms of country music, heaven knows you remind us all enough. I’m off to work, some of us do that you know. Perhaps your alter-ego “zam” can spread some cheer on the other cmt boards, you must not have much else to do. See ya on Mon.
Oh, I forgot Shania in that last list, hope she comes out with some NEW material SOON!!!
GO TRACE!!!!
luvncountry says:
PS, if I’m the pirate, that must make YOU Peter Pan, the little boy that never grew up. No wonder you have so much time to come up with all these zingers, I think you need to get out more. Have fun! There IS life outside of your Roots, unless you’re growing them sitting there.
Enjoy your weekend bloggers everywhere…
Cj says:
I really like this song. He sings it from the heart. I think Trace does not get the recognition he deserves. A lot of the new artists are pushing the real true country singers out. Very Sad! Would be different if they could all sing. But not all of them can. Carrie is one that can sing and has a powerful voice.
countryiscool says:
I’ve loved Trace’s voice, music, & videos since his country music debut, and I expect him to get only better. His smirky smile is pretty cool too :o)
Spirited group here. What’s the deal with pop country and Americana? I’m assuming POP is popular and what gets more commercial airplay, but what is Americana? Who are the artists? Does CMT highlight or play these musicians? Most of these blogs I’ve read highlight like the same Top 10 or 15 artists. Are these artists people who HAVE been popular at some time and not played on radio much anymore, or a group altogether different? Other than commercially favorable, do they sing about the same type country pop topics? I like many of the current pop country artists (like Trace), but I also like Tracy Lawrence, Tracy Bird, Mark Chessnut (sp?)Travis Tritt, LeeAnn Womack, and some others that WERE on commercial radio a lot but not so much now. They probably fall under the pop country umbrella too huh? I also love Pam Tillis, miss her voice and spunk. Does she have a Greatest Hits? I will have to check on it.
Ok, this was off-topic of Trace, sorry! I already said I like him too.
Ham says:
Is there any possibility of someone starting a RED DIRT forum so this negative person can have a place of their own?
countryiscool says:
Ham, what is Red Dirt?
RedMaZ says:
Hi, countryiscool. First I would like to thank you for your interest in the rest of today’s music scene. To me it shows an open mind and a willingness to learn. I will try to help inform you about Americana Music as best I can. I wouldn’t consider myself an expert, and although I listen to many styles/genres of music, I’d say Americana is what I listen to the most. Basically Americana Music is today’s Roots Music based on the traditions of Country, Rock, Blues, Bluegrass, Folk. Not only does Americana Music recognize the 100’s of new Roots artists, it also recognizes the established artists, and legends who are still recording new music. Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Ray Price Kathy Mattea, Hal Ketchum are just a few artists who are now Americana artists. You asked about Pam Tillis? She too is now recognized in Americana Music. Her latest CD “Rhinestoned” spent several weeks on the Americana chart. Texas/Red Dirt Music is more of a Roots Rock sound with a Country influence. The artists are mainly from Texas and Oklahoma. If you are interested in some artist in Americana music, please reply back, and I will help you. Thanks.
countryiscool says:
Ok, I know all the artists you mentioned. Hal Ketchum is one that my older sis used to stalk, just kidding, but he was her fave for sure, went to a bunch of his concerts. I can’t say I know what Roots Rock sounds like? There’s an article on Costner in today’s news that mentions roots country??? I’ve only heard his Superman song but I liked it. I want to get his CD for the holidays. I like him as an actor too, but that’s beside THIS point. So is Americana simply the more established/legends and Roots the other TX and Okies? I’m not thrilled with Bluegrass too much, sorry. Some of it is ok but not as a steady diet.
RedMaZ says:
Yes Kevin Costner considers his music Rock/Roots Music/Americana. You might want to check out some Red Dirt Music(if you’re more into the Rockin’ side of Country). Here are a few key artists…Cross Canadian Ragweed, Reckless Kelly, Wade Bowen. When you get a chance, check them out and let me know what you think. I could also introduce to you some real hard core counrty music too, or some some great singer/songwriters with an acoustic sound. Music is infinite. This is just the begining. I’ll be glad to help any way I can.
countryiscool says:
When you say rockin’ in Pop country, I think of Keith Urban,
Montgomery Gentry, and artists like that. My computer is crap for sound so I may have to go elsewhere. Do the music stores in general carry these? I know they have headphones.
Maybe I’ll use my son’s- he listens to alot of music, NOT any form of country though. Does CMT play any of these artists on TV? I know they play most of Top 40 stuff, but every once in awhile I see or hear someone else I’m NOT familiar with and wonder if they are considered alt country.
How about GAC?
RedMaZ says:
Most the music I buy from these artists are online, or directly from their website, but I believe some select stores carry some of it. As far as I know cmt does not play this music on their television programming, but their television video channel “CMT Pure” has a show called “Wide Open Country” that features Americana Music, and most of it is available to watch and listen to on their website(videos, 330 Sessions). GAC has a show called “On The Edge of Country” that features Americana artists too.
sunkie says:
Shiver Me Timbers, but this song struck a note with me on the ‘high sea’. What a soulful song and one that so many can relate to also. His voice is so powerful, but yet soothing at the same time. Wonderful blog and a beautiful song. Now, as far as RedMaZ, I believe he likes all the attention that he is getting when the real focus is on the artist. I will never give him, her or whatever the time. I might suggest that to others too. There are many folks out there that simply love to cause turmoil. I look at it like this, “Putting out another’s candle, doesn’t make yours burn brighter.”
RedMaZ says:
I read a blog, I listen to the music, I comment on it. Apparently the attention comes to me for a reason. I certainly don’t ask for it. If you don’t care to learn about music, feel free to avoid my posts. I welcome it. as a matter of fact, I encourage it. The only people I’m interested in talking to are people with an open mind and a willingness to learn, and share their own musical knowledge with me, but if the focus turns to me, I will defend myself. I look at it like this, Deja Moo…I’ve heard all of this bull before.
Kevin says:
Who designated you “teacher”… I can only speak for myself, but I think others will feel the same too….people might be a little more willing to discuss your type of music if you didnt come across so uppity, and with such a know it all attitude.
RedMaZ says:
Thanks for your input Kevin, but I don’t believe anyone designated me as “teacher”, including myself. I’m willing to share anything I know with you. Once again you’re turning the focus on me, and not the music.
JustAGuy says:
RedMaZ,
I realize this is almost a year old and you’ll probably never read this, but what the heck.
IMHO “grow a pair” is a completely inappropriate comment for this song. The fact that a man can be so damaged by the end of a marriage has absolutely nothing to do with his masculinity or virility. Marriage is supposed to be this way. Marriages are supposed to be “till death do us part”. And when a marriage ends, a union that was supposed to be permanent is severed. That hurts — a lot! And feeling pain, and actually experiencing heartfelt emotion is *not* a sign of weakness. I don’t know you, so I don’t know your motivation for saying “grow a pair”. However, many who make that kind of comment do so because all their relationships are shallow, and they have no idea what real love and real commitment are (much less do they know what it’s like when it is lost). I’m not saying that I know you are in that category–I’m just saying that it wouldn’t surprise me if you were. I can understand if you don’t like the song. I don’t have a problem with that. I do think “grow a pair” was completely inappropriate, however.