Trace Adkins will be the spokesperson for Pilot Flying J travel centers for the spring launch of their loyalty program, reports the Bradenton Herald. With the amount of time Trace spends on the road, the partnership with Pilot is a perfect fit.

“As much as I travel, my band, crew and I certainly rely on Pilot Flying J travel centers as we tour the country,” Trace said. “I think all the professional drivers, business travelers and motorists on our U.S. highways and interstates would say the same. I’m proud to partner with this driver-driven company as they serve and reward the men and women who are responsible for transporting the products and services of America!”

“Trace relates to the hardworking, American professional driver,” Jimmy Haslam, Pilot Flying J CEO, said. “As the driver-driven company, we strive to serve our customers with passion, convenience, quality products and fast, friendly service. Trace is a natural match; he’s been called the hardest working man in country music, and that aligns well with our work ethic at Pilot Flying J. We’re very proud to have Trace on board to represent Pilot Flying J.” Continue Reading

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Following the success of The Definitive Earnhardt, GAC has once again partnered with NASCAR Media Group to give a rare inside look at the lives of some of NASCAR’s most recognizable drivers. The Definitive, hosted by Trace Adkins and airing Mondays at 9/8 PM CT, will look at defining moments of each driver’s career with archival footage, photos, and interviews from both NASCAR Hall of Famers and current track stars.

The first episode, featuring Jeff Gordon, will air February 20. Jeff, referred to as one part Dale Earnhardt and one part Richard Petty, took NASCAR mainstream in the 1990s and has continued his success into the 2000s. On the track, Jeff has 85 career wins and four NASCAR championships.

Tony Stewart’s episode will air February 27, exploring the 10 qualities that make him a success and includes interviews with Tony, his friends, and his competition. On March 5, The Definitive will focus on racing legend Richard Petty. With 200 wins and seven championships, Richard’s domination in the sport is undeniable. Nicknamed ‘The King,’ viewers will learn Petty’s legacy goes deeper than his accolades on the track. Continue Reading

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Trace Adkins will headline the second annual NRA Country Jam, present by Bushnell and Folds of Honor. The concert will take place on April 13 at the Ferrara Theatre in St. Louis during the NRA Annual meetings. Over 70,000 NRA members are expected to be in attendance.

Trace, with the NRA Country and Bushnell, have designated a portion of the proceeds from the event to benefit the Folds of Honor Foundation. Founded by Iraq veteran Major Dan Rooney, Folds of Honor provides post-secondary educational scholarships for children and spouses of U.S. military service members killed or disabled in action.

“I can’t wait to take the stage at the NRA Country Jam 2,” Trace said. “It’s going to be a great show. Folds of Honor is an important cause and I’m happy to help give back to those who give so much for our freedom.” Continue Reading

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Exile will perform at the 4th annual The Stars Go Blue benefit concert on March 6 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Trace Adkins will also make a special appearance during the show. All proceeds from the event benefit the Blue Note Fund, a Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) program designed to provide financial assistance to colon cancer patients in need.

The Stars Go Blue Concert was developed by GRAMMY-nominated producer, artist and musician Charlie Kelley (and husband of GAC host Nan Kelley), who was diagnosed with colon cancer after a routine screening at age 40. Just months after undergoing successful surgery and treatment, he began working to raise awareness about  the prevention and treatment of the disease by joining the board of CCA and creating the benefit concert.

“When you’re fighting cancer, the last thing you want to think about is a bill you can’t pay,” he said. “The Blue Note Fund is our way to help others who are going through tough emotional and financial times.”  To date, the fund has awarded $125,000 to 400 patients in need.

Charlie helped create GAC’s Hit Exchange, which paired Trace Adkins with Exile to re-record one of Exile’s signature hits, “Kiss You All Over.” He is looking forward to having them participate in The Stars Go Blue. Check Hit Exchange Airtimes >>

“It’s more than obvious that Trace and Exile have a mutual respect and chemistry and that certainly translates to the stage,” Charlie said. “I’m thrilled that Exile and Trace are generously giving their time and talents to our fourth concert event.”

Tickets for the concert at $100 per person and include the concert, a VIP cocktail reception, and an auction after the concert. For more information, visit www.bluenotefund.org.

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Relativity Music Group will release the Act of Valor soundtrack on February 21, featuring original songs written and inspired by the Navy SEAL action-thriller. It will include “For You,” a song written by Keith Urban that is featured in the film’s end credits, as well as music from Lady Antebellum, Sugarland, Trace Adkins, Wynonna Judd, Montgomery Gentry, and more. In theaters February 24, Act of Valor stars a group of active-duty Navy Seals along with actors Roselyn Sanchez, Alex Veadov, Jason Cottle and Nestor Serrano.

Produced and directed by Mike “Mouse” McCoy and Scott Waugh and written by Kurt Johnstad, Act of Valor takes audiences into the secretive world of the most elite, highly-trained force in the modern world as the rescue of a kidnapped CIA operative leads to the discovery of a deadly terrorist plot against the U.S. Inspired by true events, the film combines combat sequences, battlefield technology and heart-pounding emotion.

The track listing for the soundtrack includes Keith’s “For You,” “Guide You Home” (Sugarland), “I Was Here” (Lady Antebellum), “If the Sun Comes Up” (Trace Adkins), “Two Soldiers Coming Home” (Lori McKenna), “The Best I Can” (Jake Owen), “What It Takes”(Montgomery Gentry), “The Best of Me” (Josh Kelley), “Where We Left Off” (Hunter Hayes) and “Whatever Brings You Back” (Wynonna Judd). Continue Reading

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Trace Adkins has announced the Songs & Stories Tour, a series of intimate theater shows across the United States. Every night, Trace will share the stories, both humorous and meaningful, behind his hit songs. The tour kicks off March 8 in Des Moines, Iowa.

“I’ve had many narrow escapes and blessings in my life,” Trace said. “The right song at the right time has been my saving grace and that’s something I have in common with the audience. Sharing meaningful songs, stories and some laughs ‘around the campfire’ is the country music tradition and I’m looking forward to it.”

Fans are encouraged to share their own stories, questions and the songs that have inspired their lives on the Songs & Stories page of Trace’s website. Continue Reading

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After generating excitement surrounding their remake of “Kiss You All Over” with Trace Adkins, Exile is set to release their first new studio album in 15 years. People Get Ready, a five track EP, will hit stores January 31.

People Get Ready features four new songs written by the band and an a cappella version of “People Get Ready,” written by Curtis Mayfield. The EP will be released on Exile’s own Big Horse Records label and distributed in partnership with GMV Nashville. Fans will be able to download the new EP at most digital outlets.

Exile has also been added to the lineup for Keith Urban’s All For The Hall benefit concert on April 10 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Exile was joined by Trace not only for the remake of “Kiss You All Over” but also for a performance in Las Vegas. You can see their performance on Hit Exchange right here on GAC. Check Air Times >> Continue Reading

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Billboard magazine and marketing agency ‘stache media have partnered to launch the first-ever Billboard mini-magazine dedicated to country music. The fan-focused publication is available exclusively at Target stores nationwide and includes two collectible covers featuring Zac Brown Band and Jason Aldean.

“Partnering with Billboard on this special country edition has allowed us to offer a great value proposition to the consumer,” Tony Bruno, ‘stache media’s SVP of Marketing, said. “Because of the brand’s prominence and the credibility of the magazine, we are able to expose the country music scene to an even wider audience.”

“From ‘The 615,’ Billboard.com’s new country music blog, to the Country charts, Billboard has a deep connection with the country music community, and we’re excited to partner with ‘stache media to expand the brand’s coverage of this genre through this new mini-magazine,” Lisa Ryan Howard, Publisher of Billboard, said. Continue Reading

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Trace Adkins is definitely the man of the house. In the latest issue of Good Housekeeping, Trace tells the magazine a little bit about what it’s like to be the only man among five daughters, plus his wife, Rhonda. “I could not make boys,” Trace told the magazine. “After the last one I said ‘Okay, God, I get it.”  While he loves his daughters, being the only man isn’t easy. “It goes against who I am to be interested in ballet,” he said.

One of Trace’s favorite family traditions was started by his 10-year-old daughter when she was little. “During a family meal, we go around the table and everybody talks about the best and worst parts of their day,” Trace said. Talking with his children isn’t something that comes naturally to Trace though. “I didn’t grow up with that,” he said. “My old man was pretty quiet. I have to remind myself to ask them about their lives. It’s not something that comes naturally, but I do try!”

He loves his family, but sometimes, Trace just has to get away. When he needs to escape, he hops on his tractor and disappears. “It’s the most therapeutic machine ever invented,” he said. “Some men get the same benefit from riding a lawn mower, but for me, it’s the tractor.” Continue Reading

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Each year GAC asks fans to help us choose the best of the best country music videos released during the prior 12 months for our year end Top 50 Videos of the Year countdown. Here are the voting results for 2011 based on videos released and added to the GAC playlist from Nov. 1, 2010 to Oct. 31, 2011.

1. Blake Shelton — “God Gave Me You”
2. Jason Aldean w/Kelly Clarkson — “Don’t You Wanna Stay”
3. Keith Urban — “Without You”
4. Jason Aldean — “Dirt Road Anthem”
5. Brad Paisley & Carrie Underwood — “Remind Me”
6. Blake Shelton — “Honey Bee”
7. Lady Antebellum — “Just A Kiss”
8. Alan Jackson — “Long Way To Go”
9. Scotty McCreery — “I Love You This Big”
10. Trace Adkins — “Just Fishin’” Continue Reading

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