Concert review: Trace Adkins closes out fair concerts

Published 2:32 pm Sunday, August 5, 2018

: Trace Adkins sang a variety of his songs during his concert, including his first single, "There's a Girl in Texas." - Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

3 acts announced for 2019 Grandstand lineup

Country music star Trace Adkins ended the Freeborn County Fair Grandstand entertainment on a high note Saturday as he performed to a full-house crowd of enthusiastic fans.

A three-time Grammy nominated member of the Grand Ole Opry, Adkins said he sang in Albert Lea about 14 or 15 years ago.

“It’s good to be in Albert Lea,” he said, commending Freeborn County’s fair.

As part of his “How Did We Get Here Tour,” Adkins performed a variety of songs from his 22 years in the music industry, including his first single, “There’s a Girl in Texas.”

Trace Adkins kept the crowd entertained during his concert Saturday at the Freeborn County Fair. Adkins said he had been singing as a career for 22 years and performed at the Freeborn County Fair previously about 14 or 15 years ago. – Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

He kicked off the night with “Songs About Me,” “Chrome,” “Just Fishin’” and “You’re Gonna Miss This.”

Fair volunteers said tickets were sold out in the reserve seating. The Grandstand was packed, and hundreds more could be seen standing in the nearby beer garden and in the perimeter looking on.

Mixed in with his songs, Adkins interacted with the crowd, and at one point had the audience singing along.

Adkins said one of the highlights of his career has been his work with veterans. He noted he tries to put a song about veterans as a tribute in every album.

In addition to his music he has been a TV personality, actor, author and spokesman for the Wounded Warrior Project and American Red Cross. In recent years, he has performed for the nation’s service men and women across 11 USO Tours.

Adkins’ trademark baritone has powered countless hits to the top of the charts.

He received a standing ovation for “Still a Soldier” during his Saturday performance.

By the end of the night he had sung 15 songs, including “Marry for Money,” “Big Time,” “Hot Mama,” “Dangerous Man” and “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” among others, before coming out at the request of the audience for an encore, with his performance of “I’m No Angel.”

Trace Adkins performs Saturday during the Freeborn County Fair. – Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

3 acts announced for 2nd day of fair in 2019

Freeborn County Fair Manager Mike Woitas announced before Adkins’ performance there would be three acts performing at the Grandstand on the Wednesday of the fair in 2019.

The acts are country music artist and record producer Aaron Tippin, who is celebrating his 25th year as a recording artist this year; Sammy Kershaw, who has had more than 25 singles on the Top 40 Billboard Hot Country Songs chart; and Collin Raye, who shot to fame with “Love, Me” in 1991.

Raye previously performed at the fair in 2017, and Tippin performed in 2005.

: Trace Adkins performs with his band Saturday night at the Grandstand at the Freeborn County Fair. – Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

: Trace Adkins sings with his band during the final concert of the week at the Freeborn County Fair on Saturday. – Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

: Trace Adkins performs Saturday during the Freeborn County Fair. – Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

: Freeborn County Sheriff Kurt Freitag carries the U.S. flag down the Grandstand Saturday night prior to the Trace Adkins concert. – Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

: Trace Adkins performed 16 songs during his concert Saturday at the Freeborn County Fair. – Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

: Trace Adkins sang a variety of his songs during his concert, including his first single, “There’s a Girl in Texas.” – Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

: Trace Adkins performs with one of his guitarists Saturday during the concert at the Freeborn County Fair. – Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

: Trace Adkins kept the crowd entertained during his concert Saturday at the Freeborn County Fair. Adkins said he had been singing as a career for 22 years and performed at the Freeborn County Fair previously about 14 or 15 years ago. – Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

: Country music star Trace Adkins brought in a full-house crowd at the Grandstand Saturday night at the Freeborn County Fair. Organizers said all of the reserve ticket seats were sold. – Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune