TheTalkhouse Award for Community Service
Each year, citizens across the country devote their time, talent and passion to organizing fundraising events benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). These grass roots efforts are the life blood of WWP – not only raising critically needed funds that directly support wounded service men and women, but also helping to raise awareness for the innumerable sacrifices made by our troops to ensure all Americans enjoy a level of freedom and quality of life unmatched around the world.
The Talkhouse Award was established to honor an individual whose efforts personify patriotism, demonstrate compassion, and help further the mission of WWP in support of the brave men and women of our armed forces.
This year the award will be presented to Trace Adkins.
Trace has gone out of his way to include WWP in various venues and settings, including providing a spotlight to WWP in a national broadcast during the Academy of Country Music Awards. His performance with the West Point Cadet Glee Club was made available for download at iTunes, raising more than $100,000 benefiting WWP. He also provided an exclusive performance for the WWP Soldier Ride event in Nashville for wounded warriors and supporters. Offering tickets at no charge and providing a personal meet and greet to warriors and their families during his current concert tour is yet another example of how his support helps to ensure this generation of veterans will be the most successful and well-adjusted in our nation’s history.
Trace made his debut in the country music world more than a decade ago with a platinum-selling album and has since become an undeniable musical force, earning his place among the most identifiable artists of his generation.
An esteemed Opry member since 2003, Trace has built a strong legion of fans by recording songs that possess insightful lyrics and cover a wide range of interests—many from his own life experiences. With one of the most identifiable voices in country music, the Grammy-nominated artist has had 27 of his singles land on Billboard’s country charts, with 15 breaking into the top 10. His albums achieve gold or multi-platinum status, and three have made chart-topping debuts. He has performed for millions of fans worldwide and consistently sells out venues across the nation. His hard-driving stage show is full of hits, making him one of country music’s top headlining and in-demand artists today.
Throughout his illustrious and successful career, he has received widespread media recognition—from magazine covers to the movie screen, with numerous appearances on national TV shows, including “Ellen Degeneres,” “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” “Live with Regis & Kelly,” “Real Time with Bill Maher,” “Today Show,” “Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” and so many more.
Already a highly successful country music recording artist, Trace grabbed the national spotlight in 2008 while earning the respect of Donald Trump as the runner-up on NBC’s “The Celebrity Apprentice.” Throughout the season, he starred in some of the show’s best moments, including the season finale, when more than 14 million viewers tuned in as he performed his # 1 hit, “You’re Gonna Miss This.” He has since raised more than $750,000 for his charity.
A long-time supporter of the U.S. military, Trace has traveled overseas for two USO tours, performing for troops stationed in Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan. In 2007, he was honored with the USO Merit Award in recognition of his dedication to assisting others through charitable works.
In November 2009, Trace ventured into the comic book world with the launch of “LUKE McBAIN,” a four-part comic book series whose lead character is based on the country giant’s likeness and persona. The series is now available in more than 4,000 comic book stores nationwide and through Trace’s website.
Trace has also become the official face and voice of BC Headache Powder, marking only the second time in the pain-relief product’s 100-year history that a country music entertainer has represented the brand. As a spokesperson for the next two years, he will be included in radio ads, images at retail stores, and on BC’s website (http://www.bcpowder.com). BC is also sponsoring more than 80 of his concert tour dates in 2010.
Most recently, Trace has signed with Show Dog-Universal Music, the newly merged record label headed up by superstar Toby Keith and famed producer, Mark Wright. A new single and album is in the works and will be announced soon.
Trace continues to make his mark as an icon across many pop culture mediums and has achieved success in almost every realm of the entertainment business. With more than a decade under his belt, he is sitting at the top of his game and shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon.
