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Trace Adkins' Performance for the Troops to Air on GAC

Posted by Carmen Wagster on 11/18/2008
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While Trace Adkins continues his tour with Country icon Alan Jackson, Great American Country will premiere a new special, Trace Adkins X (TEN) Days, on Nov. 25 at 9 p.m. EST. The show documents Adkins' visit to Iraq and Afghanistan, where he performed for 10,000 United States military personnel in partnership with the USO.The show correlates with his upcoming album, Trace Adkins “X” (TEN), which will be released on Nov. 25 as well. Adkins devoted ten days to traveling from remote forward operating bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a personal ‘thank you’ to the troops, Adkins performed 11 live acoustic and full-band performances. He Performed his biggest hits, his newest material and his heartwarming salutes, “I Came Here to Live” and “Arlington,” to the American armed forces.Of his performances in Iraq and Afghanistan, Adkins said, “It’s our duty to make sure those men and women know we know (and appreciate) them putting their lives on the line for us everyday.  You are playing for a crowd that is more appreciative and responsive than any other crowd you’ll ever play for again and you just want to make them smile. That’s what it was about for me.”From his newest album, Adkins performed “Hillbilly Rich,” “Marry For Money," “Muddy Water" and “Sweet.” He also performed many crowd favorites like “I Got My Game On” and “Ladies Love Country Boys.”  Then, ending his show on a funny note, Adkins invited the service members to the stage to join him in “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.”“We set out to entertain and give them a chance to have some fun and that’s the best way to end (the tour). Mission accomplished,” Adkins said.Adkins and his fellow travelers were followed by cameras for the GAC special, which also shows what they learned about the realities of combat missions from the men and women who serve in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. The show also documents his assistance in the reenlistment ceremonies, riding in black hawk helicopters, blowing up damaged ammunition, waiting out a sand storm, participating in target practice and serving ice cream to the troops.To make the trip abroad even more special, the USO organization and military officials arranged for J.W. Williams, Adkin’s manager, to see his son, Trey Williams. The group landed in Afghanistan where Trey is currently stationed. J.W. referred to the moment as “the second greatest moment in my life, behind my son’s birth.”For more information about the show, including a complete list of airdates and times, visit http://www.gactv.com/