When fans think of Trace Adkins, they imagine a towering Southern gentleman with a deep, rumbling voice that echoes through country radio. With hits like “You’re Gonna Miss This” and “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” he has become a staple of modern country music. But behind the fame lies a past full of turmoil and near-tragedy that many don’t know about.
🔫 Shot by His Own Wife
In one of the most shocking incidents of his life, Trace Adkins was shot by his second wife Julie Curtis in 1994 after an argument. The bullet pierced his heart and lungs, yet he miraculously survived after surgery. Even more surprising: Adkins refused to press charges. His choice to forgive instead of retaliate earned him both astonishment and admiration from fans.
🍺 Struggles with Alcohol and Relapse
Alcohol has long been a battle for Adkins. In the early 2000s, he was involved in a serious car accident while driving under the influence. Although he checked into rehab in 2001, he later relapsed and had to seek treatment again in 2014. Adkins has spoken candidly about addiction, calling it a “lifelong fight” and publicly apologized to his fans.
🧱 Injury on the Oil Rig
Before stardom, Adkins worked on an oil rig. A workplace accident crushed his left pinky finger, which doctors considered amputating. Adkins refused and instead learned how to play guitar again with a damaged hand. That injury and his perseverance became part of his artistic identity.
💔 Tumultuous Marriages
Adkins has been married three times. His most notable marriage was to Rhonda Forlaw, with whom he has three daughters. After 15 years, they divorced in 2015 due to “irreconcilable differences.” In interviews, Adkins admitted he’s “not easy to live with” and often prioritized his career over domestic life.
🎤 Rising from the Chaos
Despite these hardships, Trace Adkins managed to transform his life. His story is not one of a flawless celebrity, but of a Southern man who fell and got back up again. Today, he remains a respected figure in country music, still touring and appearing in film roles such as “Old Henry.”
Trace Adkins shows us that your past doesn’t define you – how you confront it does.