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Trace Adkins: ‘The Way I Wanna Go’ – Album Review

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Trace Adkins’ 25th-anniversary album, The Way I Wanna Go, is available now, August 27th, on all streaming platforms. Offering up 25 new songs in a reflective and celebratory project, the new album shines a light on Adkins’ extraordinary career. Check out the full review below.

With an opening song such as “Where I Am Today” that introduces a more grateful and clear-minded outlook, the country music veteran, who has sold more than 11 million albums and attained over 2 billion streams across the span of his career, seems to be tipping his hat to an incredible life while still reeling in the good stuff. Though with the release of his 13th studio album to honor a truly remarkable 25 years in music, Trace Adkins is far from calling it quits. In fact, he has never been stronger. “I am at the top of my game right now as far as my craft goes,” he comments in a press release. “I’m better at this than I’ve ever been in my life.”

It’s true, this Louisiana-born, simple-livin’ cowboy is aging like a fine whiskey. The Way I Wanna Go envelopes a confident, self-assured musician who does not shy away from individuality while still encompassing traditional notes along with his open-armed, warm-as-ever charisma that attracts listeners to this “Ladies Love Country Boys” and “Just Fishin’” gentle giant. 

“Finding My Groove” follows a similar wavelength with a focus on narrating the personal battles, and the journey, to shine a light on the setbacks and experiences needed to get to this spoken-upon sweet spot. 

“But I think the world’s finally spinnin’ my way // Sleepin’ pretty good at the end of the day // Got a little cash in the bank, gas in the tank // A little don’t care what they think // And I ain’t skippin’ like a needle on vinyl // Since your rescue me revival / Got my heart on my sleeve // Nothing to hide, nothing to prove // Findin’ my groove”

Within this 25-track LP, a few very high-end artists are featured from a broad range of categories. Blake Shelton, who is no stranger to Adkins both in the wildly successful “Hillbilly Bone” and more recent 2019 collab ”Hell Right”, puts down vocals on “If I Was A Woman” that ties in with the relaxed and chummy chemistry between these good friends. Luke Bryan and Pitbull bring the heat with the previously released “Where The Country Girls At”. Snoop Dog brings an intriguing take on a country crossroad production with “So Do The Neighbors”, and “Memory to Memphis” mixes blues in this eclectic collection of vocalists. Melissa Etheridge, an American singer-songwriter, incorporates a beautiful, smooth rasp that teeters on a rock sound to flirt with the rugged vocal range that is known with Adkins in “Love Walks Through the Rain”.

Trace Adkins’ The Way I Wanna Go album is a striking project that includes all the best music has to offer from this filled-to-the-brim with inspiration entertainer.  “I don’t know where my place is gonna be when the history of what I did is written,” Adkins says in a press release. “But 90 percent of the time, I said what I wanted to say and stuck to my guns and did what I wanted to do … And, this album is as good as anything I’ve ever done.” 

Trace Adkins 'The Way I Wanna Go' Out Now

Trace Adkins ‘The Way I Wanna Go’ Out Now

The Way I Wanna Go Tracklist

  1. Where I Am Today
  2. Heartbreak Song
  3. Where the Country Girls At (Trace Adkins, Luke Bryan & Pitbull)
  4. Cadillac’n
  5. Finding My Groove
  6. Cowboy Boots and Jeans
  7. Live It Lonely
  8. Love Walks Through the Rain (Trace Adkins & Melissa Etheridge)
  9. Honey Child
  10. It’s a Good Thing I Don’t Drink
  11. Jesus Was a Hippie
  12. Memory To Memphis (Trace Adkins, Stevie Wonder & Keb’ Mo’)
  13. You’re Mine
  14. The Way I Wanna Go
  15. It All Adds Up to Us
  16. If I Was a Woman (ft. Blake Shelton)
  17. Got It Down
  18. Careful Girl
  19. Empty Chair
  20. Cowboy Up
  21. Somewhere in America
  22. So Do the Neighbors (Trace Adkins & Snoop Dog)
  23. I Should Let You Go
  24. Low Note
  25. Welcome To

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news and announcements about future Trace Adkins releases.

To keep up with Trace Adkins, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

The Way I Wanna Go is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Trace Adkins: Ain’t That Kind of Cowboy – EP Review

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Trace Adkins’ latest EP, Ain’t That Kind of Cowboy is available now, October 16th on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dive deeper into the collection of songs in our full review.

After nearly four years since new music from Trace Adkins, a new EP Ain’t That Kind of Cowboy has been released, marking his first project since joining Verge Records Nashville. Still, the six-track release is a continuation of the well-known, lively, and deep-southern-rooted style from the “You’re Gonna Miss This” and “Ladies Love Country Boys’” performer.

The title track acts as the third on the setlist and includes moments of raw sentiment and country-style storytelling. It utilizes a few different approaches through production in regards to Adkins’ heavy tone among stripped chords as well as, primarily in the chorus, more present accompaniment that creates a strong and confident “take it or leave it” feel. “Ain’t That Kind of Cowboy” seemingly points out all the creative and artistic elements that this seasoned musician is capable of since releasing his debut album, Dreamin’ Out Loud, over 20 years ago in 1996.

“Running Into You”, a ballad written by James Slater and Tony Lane, showcases the softness and delicacy of Adkins, who often records heartfelt cuts. Though, there’s something different about this arrangement that stands out. Bart Butler, the producer of the collection, in addition to Adkins and the instrumentalists, maintained a sincerity throughout the process that affects listeners in a way for all emotions involved to be delivered at full force.

A track that annotates a broken heart and explores the aftermath, “Running Into You” covers scenarios in which the person who has said goodbye hasn’t entirely left.

“Round the corners of my heart // Waiting there to take me there again // In the shadows and the light // In the morning and the midnight // When the leaves are still blowing in the wind // That’s when”

Ain’t That Kind of Cowboy is an exciting sneak peek to Adkins’ journey with Verge Records Nashville. In fact, with over 8 million streams in seven months since “Better Off” was released as a single, the EP’s introduction track, the Louisiana native seems to have a lot left up his sleeve. Check out Adkins’ performance of “Better Off” that aired on “TODAY with Hoda and Jenna” from the Grand Ole Opry.

“It was a lot of fun to get back into the studio with Mickey Jack (Cones) and work with Bart (Butler) on this EP, and I couldn’t be prouder of these songs from some of my favorite writers,” shares Adkins in a recent press release. “I’m looking forward to what’s to come.”

Ain't That Kind of Cowboy Trace Adkins

Trace Adkins’ latest EP, “Ain’t That Kind of Cowboy”, is available now, October 16th.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Trace Adkins releases.

To keep up with Trace Adkins, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Ain’t That Kind of Cowboy EP is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

 

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. Specially selected foundations that support our heroes will receive donations from each purchase. Honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice is what we are dedicated to.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

Throwback Thursday – 10 Trace Adkins Songs You May Have Forgotten

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By Michal Pietrzak

Trace Adkins

Photo Courtesy of Trace Adkins on Facebook

Trace Adkins is a well-recognized country music figure but did you know that he lost his pinky finger on the left hand and he made doctors reattach in such matter that he could still play guitar. He’s a big guy but deep down he’s hopeless romantic as he admits in his biography. His songs range from comedic like “Marry For Money” to serious like “Arlington” or “You’re Gonna Miss This” which but the way was recorded because he wanted to sing it on his daughter’s wedding and at the end, the song became one of his greatest hits.

Recently Adkins announced his 2020 “The Way I Wanna Go” tour which starts on the 5th of March and lasts until the 21st of August. For more information go to his site www.traceadkins.com

Adkins has recorded 12 studio albums and delivered many hits like “Every Light in The House”, “Ladies Love Country Boys”, “Than They Do”, “I Got My Game On’ or “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk”. He also has dropped some amazing songs that somehow didn’t become great hits. 

Before we get to the list here’s an Adkins quote from the story behind the song “I hope this is not chiseled on my headstone when I pass away but so far I haven’t recorded anything that’s drawn more attention than this one and maybe for a good reason, everyone loves honky tonk badonkadonk” 

Let’s take a look at some great songs you may still have to discover.

  1. Dreamin’ Out Loud – Sometimes we lose somebody but we wish we could take them back that’s why we sometimes dream out loud.  “Well I’d better be goin’/Got someplace to be/ I know she’s somewhere in this town/ And until I find her, and she comes back to me/ I’ll be dreamin’ out loud”

 

  1. It Was You – It’s not about the looks, it’s about what’s inside. The beauty within is all that matters and makes you truly fall in love. “It wasn’t the stars in the sky, that got to me that night/ Or the music that we were dancin’ to/ It wasn’t the moon up above, that had me fallin’ in love/ It was more than all those things alone could do/ It was you”

 

  1. Every One of You – Nothing describes this song better than the first verse.  “You’re Sleeping Beauty when I wake you with a kiss / And you’re Scarlet O’Hara when your hands are on your hips / You’re Marilyn Monroe when the wind blows your dress / And you’re I Love lucy, when your hair is all a mess / You’re Thelma and Lousie when you’re behind the wheel / You’re a Paris runway model when you’re walking in high heels / And when I feel like Romeo, you’re my Juliet / Even if there’s some of you I haven’t met yet/ I love every one of you.”

 

  1. She’s Still There – The most heart-wrenching, emotional, and tearful Trace Adkins song. It’s about death and not being able to live a long and decent life. We are convinced this one will make you tear up. “Lord, I know I’ll never see her/ With silver in her hair/ I know she’s really gone/ But in my heart, I’d swear/ That she’s still there in Oklahoma/ And she’s still seventeen/ She’s livin’ with her Mama”   

 

  1. Every Other Friday at Five Divorce is a huge emotional burden not only for kids but parents too. The song highlights the biggest obstacle that every divorced dad has to face. He can only see his children every other weekend. Soft and slow sounds and deep calming voice of the singer make you dive into the lyrics. It definitely makes you think. “He counts the days and then the hours / Till he can hold his babies in his arms/ And they’ll be watchin’ out the window/ When he pulls up in the drive/ On every other Friday, at five/ For forty-eight hours, they’re with him again/ But on Sunday afternoon he’s out of time/ Some folks call him a deserter, but his kids know he’ll arrive/ On every other Friday at Five”

 

  1. Love Me Like There’s No Tomorrow – There are so many things we take for granted so every now and then we should stop and appreciate everything we have. Life is not about material goods but about the love of your parents, husband or wife, kids, friends and a sense of peace within.  “I hope, we live forever/ And that day will never, come darlin’/ I know, if it ever happens/ I couldn’t imagine, not being in your arms/ There’s so much, we take for granted in life/ So love me, baby, like we’re runnin’ out of time” 

 

  1. Untamed  – If you feel overwhelmed by the city listen to this song and be free and be untamed. “I only want what I’ve got comin’/ I’ll take the credit and the blame/ Even when I’m bent and broken/ I pray my spirit always stays, untamed” 

 

  1. I Learned How To Love From You The hardest lesson in life is how to learn to love somebody. Especially today, in a world of quick deliveries, news, love, and marriages, finding a soulmate is very important. True love does not only come from the heart, but it also comes from the soul. “ You loved like there never was a risk/ Shared your heart with every tender kiss/ Now I know how much I have to give/ ‘Cause I learned how to love from you”

 

  1. The Stubborn One Lots of people come and go in our lives but only a few will come and stay forever. Grandparents, parents and close friends are the ones that will stick with us for a little longer than a while. “You’re the stubborn one/ My great-granddaddy’s son/ The one who drank his whiskey from a coffee cup/ Time has stripped you of/ So many things you love/ But you keep fighting on/ Because you’re the stubborn one”

 

  1. I Can Only Love You Like a Man – From a very young age, every girl hears stories about prince charming and knights in shining armor but they’re really hard to find in real life. The main point of these stories is to find Mr right guy who will show his appreciation and dedication.  “Now Heaven knows I’m no angel/ Just flesh and bone like all the rest/ I never claimed to have a halo/ All I can give you is my best/ But I will never try to hurt you/ Or even give you cause to doubt/ That my heart is yours forever/ Ain’t that what true love’s all about”

The best thing about Trace Adkins is that he only records songs that he believes in and can sing with conviction. It makes this list a little more special, more personal. 

To keep up with Trace Adkins follow him on Instagram Facebook Twitter

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

Blake Shelton & Trace Adkins Together Again on “Hell Right”

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Blake Shelton Trace Adkins

Blake Shelton has already had quite the year. With his new songs “God’s Country” hitting Number 1 and “Dive Bar,” with Garth Brooks, Shelton has already had a lot of success on the charts. You may remember one of the Oklahoma native’s older Number 1 songs, “Hillbilly Bone” with Trace Adkins from 2009. Well, the guys are back at it again with their newest single off Shelton’s upcoming album, “Hell Right”.

The new tune, which features vocals from Adkins, was written by David Garcia, Brett Tyler, and Hardy. “The first time I ever heard ‘Hell Right,’ [producer] Scott Hendricks sent it over to me—and we had pretty much decided that we were finished recording for a while, and I wasn’t even thinking about it,” says Shelton in a recent press release. “About three-quarters of the way through the song, I decided, ‘Oh, my God, I’m not done recording. I’ve gotta go cut this song. It’s just so much fun and just so infectious.” Just like that, Shelton and Adkins were back in the studio again together recording another hit single.

We got to listen to the first part of the song before it was released and it had us on our toes wanting to hear the rest. Between the opening crickets, Adkins deep southern drawl, and Shelton’s ability to tell a great story, this song is sure to climb the charts.

“I decided it would be great to have Trace Adkins on this [song] just because he’s got that low, deep, big voice and he’s so great at the ad-lib stuff,” says Blake. “He just brings a certain quality to any recording that nobody else can touch.” We agree with Shelton, the depth that these two artists bring to this song is unlike any single we have seen released this year. Shelton is expected to release a full album but has said that he is really enjoying releasing singles to the fans one at a time and watching the reaction that comes with each one individually.

To keep up with Blake Shelton follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
“Hell Right” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook: