Adkins set to perform Monday
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His latest album, a greatest hits CD, debuted at No. 1 on the country charts in July. His current single “Then They Do” is No. 9 on the Billboard Country charts. And last week, Adkins became the newest member of the Grand Ol’ Opry.
So what’s a big shot like Adkins doing playing the Warren County A&L Fair this coming Monday?
“It doesn’t matter to me where I play,” Adkins said yesterday in an interview from his home in Brentwood. “I’m not too persnickety. I played in a barn in Ohio last night. ‘Have guitar, will travel,’ that’s my motto.
“Actually, coming to Warren County is a great opportunity. It’ll be the closest show to home we’ll play all year. The band’s families will all be there. It’s going to be great, a real treat for us.”
Asked what show-goers could expect, Adkins said he’ll be performing all of his hits including “There’s a Girl in Texas,” “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing,” “Every Light in the House,” “I’m Tryin’,” “Chrome” and his current hit, “Then They Do.” He said he will also perform a few new songs from his upcoming album set to be released in December.
Since hitting the Nashville scene in 1996 with his debut album “Dreamin’ Out Loud,” Adkins quickly established himself as one of country’s hottest acts. And though he’s won just about every accolade a country music star can, he said he doesn’t have time to let it go to his head.
“I have this problem: I don’t stop to smell the roses like I should. I just keep working harder,” said Adkins. “The success and everything, it’s all great, but the more success I have, the harder I want to work. I really need someone to make me slow down.”
An all-star performer with a powerful baritone voice, Adkins is also known for his song writing ability. When questioned about his inspiration, song writing and otherwise, he said it comes from everything under the sun.
“I’m inspired everywhere. Sometime it just hits you like a bolt of lightning. And it’s just from everyday events and life, things that happen. As for the inspiration for my career, it’s that I don’t want to have to go back to work,” said a chuckling Adkins, who before his music career worked on an oil derrick in the Gulf of Mexico.
After performing in front of live audiences for over a decade, Adkins said he is usually not nervous on stage, except if that stage is the Grand Ol’ Opry.
“I really don’t get nervous. The stage is kind of my sanctuary. It’s the only place where I’m the boss and I call the shots. It’s certainly not that way at home,” he said with a laugh.
Adkins will perform at 7 p.m. Monday night under the grandstand at the Warren County A&L Fair. The concert is free.