Trace Adkins is a towering figure of a man, 6 feet 6 inches, maybe 6-7 with his cowboy hat on, and a deep, resonating baritone that cuts to the soul of a heartfelt love song.
When he uses that voice to channel sexually charged, wink-wink fun, we get to see his playful side. And in the past couple years, it's that side that he's showed the most in ditties like "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk," "Swing" and his latest, "Ladies Love Country Boys."
He's just as playful in real life. During a recent phone interview from his Nashville home, we asked Adkins — the father of five girls — some questions that some might see as an excuse to hang up the phone. But Adkins, bless him, played along and responded more from the funny bone than the heart.
What's the weirdest thing women have done at your live shows while you were singing "Badonkadonk"?
"Well, they'll have that painted across their bottom sometimes. That's always pleasant. I've had a lot of jumpers since that song came out."
Do you have security?
"They usually let them get up there and stay a minute or two, then politely escort them."
You're up for Country Weekly's sexiest man. Do you think your oldest daughter would agree that you're one of country music's sexiest men?
"She would say absolutely not. …I think they're hard-pressed to find (a list of sexy men) in country music. I don't know who these guys are."
Shouldn't Cledus T. Judd be on the list?
"Well, I love old Cledus; who doesn't? But he's not about to pose in Playgirl anytime soon."
You were honored for your work with the USO Tours and had dinner with Laura Bush. How was that?
"It was incredibly humbling. … What I do compared to what the men and women serving in the military do is trivial."
What was First Lady Bush like in person?
"She is the most sweetest, gracious lady. A classy, classy lady. I thoroughly enjoyed being in her presence. …She didn't act like she ever heard of me, but that's OK."
You just scored a gold certificate for a ringtone.
"Yeah, and I think it's about to go platinum. Didn't see that one happening."
And you've also become friends with celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse and appeared on his show. So is the food really spectacular?
"The food in their green room is the best in show business. Nothing else comes close. Between me and those thugs in my band, we knock a big dent in their food supply."
So you're on the road with Craig Morgan and Danielle Peck. She says you flashed her your badonkadonk.
"She's not a hundred percent certain it was me."
But tell me, did you do it?
"I was far away."
You did it! You mooned her!
"There was a production office at the other end and there was plate glass windows and I was like 200 feet away probably and I just put my butt up against that window."
One last question, this one a serious one: How do you define success?
"I'm just a simple guy. At the end of every 12-month period (I ask myself) 'Have I had to fill out a job application?' As long as the answer to that question is 'No,' then I'm still winning."
So what kind of job would you apply for?
"Undercover CIA."
• When: Today-Sunday.
• Where: Canyon Moon Ranch, 20585 E. Price Road, off Arizona 79, Florence.
• Cost: $59-$200 for single-day ticket at the gate; $159-$600 for four-day pass at the gate.
• Details: 1-262-279-6960.
Lineup
• Today — 3 p.m., Cowboy Crush; 4:15, Chris Young; 5:30, Jamie Lee Thurston; 7, Lorrie Morgan; 8:30, Jo Dee Messina; 10:30, Trace Adkins.
• Friday — Noon, Villebillies; 1:15 p.m., Western Underground; 2:30, Rio Grand; 3:45, Heartland; 5, 2nd Shift; 6, Tanya Tucker; 7:30, Blake Shelton; 9, Randy Owen; 10:30, Reba McEntire.
• Saturday— Noon, Tim & Willy & the All Earl Band ; 1 p.m., 32 Below; 2, Sarah Buxton; 3:15, PovertyNeck Hillbillies; 4:30, Harry Luge; 5:45, Steve Holy; 7, Cross Canadian Ragweed; 8:30, Gretchen Wilson; 10:30, Big & Rich.
• Sunday— Noon, Chasin' Mason; 1 p.m., Gary Nichols; 2:15, Williams & Ree; 3:45, Trick Pony; 5, Neal McCoy; 6:30, Phil Vassar; 8, Montgomery Gentry.
• Times and lineup are subject to change.
• Online: Hear audio snippets from the artists at www.country thunder.com. Click on Arizona and then the lineup. Audio links are below artist photos.
