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7/2/07
Trace Hangs with His Fans and One of the Doc Walker Boys
Ties The Knot
The summer months are the busiest for our little production team and while some of us traveled to Dauphin, Manitoba for the Dauphin
Countryfest, the rest of the team stayed behind to gear up for Canada Day Jam. This year I'm
one of the "kids" who got to travel to sunny Manitoba.
 When I go on the road with CMT, there's always one artist I'm really psyched about meeting.
This time it was Trace Adkins. I got my first Trace sighting early in the day. I spotted
the 6 foot 6 inch country heartthrob hanging out backstage with one of his roadies. Sporting
a backwards baseball cap, a white t-shirt and beige cargos he was everything
I'd imagined him to be and more. And when I say more I mean more of everything. The man is larger than life and every time he speaks, I swear,
I felt the bass tones in the pit of my stomach the way you feel the bass resonate through your body when you're at a rock concert.
He smiled at us when we walked by and that was enough to send my heart rate
up a notch. So when one of the festival organizers came over to tell us that Trace was
going for a ride around the campsite in a 4x4 and would we like to get a shot of it, my first thought was, "hell yeah". And, within minutes, we
arranged for a second four wheeler to follow the superstar around while he got down with the
people. Despite his signature handlebar mustache, long blond locks
and imposing stature, it was amazing to see how few people recognized him at first.
Really, what would Trace be doing driving around the campground? Surely,
big stars like him have better things to do. The truth is, Trace is a down to earth, humble guy who was, as he admitted later,
getting "bored" hanging out backstage. We followed Trace as he meandered down the campground's
winding dirt roads and it was only a matter of time before some of his die hard fans realized
the guy on the dirt bike didn't just look like Trace, he was Trace. The man
waved, stopped to shake hands, pose for pictures, sign t-shirts, various body parts... even a trailer. He was charming, funny and my heart swelled
just watching him out there. I know, I know, I'm a fan and completely biased. Still, it's pretty cool to find out someone you idolize is actually
worth your admiration. We took the footage back to our trailer to capture, digitize and edit it and
were working away on the day's interviews when a deep honey and molasses drawl made my heart skip a beat. "I gotcha all to
myself," the deep masculine voice said. I think I stopped
breathing at this point and to be honest, I have no idea what he said to me or what I said back. We hung out
like old friends, and now that my pulse has returned to normal, snippets of what he said are coming back to me. Actually, that's a lie but the rest of
the kids filled me in on some of the highlights. So here goes. The time just before going on stage is always Trace's "least favorite
time.
It's much akin to me to that opening kick-off... you're waiting for that opening kick-off and that's the worse time, the apprehension, it's not anxious, it's not nervous, you're just ready to go.
I'm dressed, let's go." Trace is on the road promoting Dangerous Man and he said he enjoys being on
the road. "It's such a gravy gig these days, when I first started out playing honkytonks and beer joints you're riding in a van
with eight other guys pullin' a raggedy old trailer behind you hoping you'll make it from one
gig to the next and now I've got my own bus, the band has their own bus, the
crew has their bus, it's a sweet existence. Touring's great. Singing live is the only reason I continue to do this. If it wasn't for that, I'd
quit."
Trace was also quick to remind us that before he started touring, he'd always had real jobs working on oil rigs and construction
- jobs that were
labor intensive. "This is just... every day is just like a vacation. It's
great." When asked about whether he went to music
festivals when he was a kid, Trace said, "The only thing comparable to this was flea market trade
days when everyone would camp on the grounds and there'd be a big huge flea market, you
know."
Trace rocked the Countryfest amphitheatre and gave his fans exactly what they'd come for. Hot, sexy and rockin' tunes delivered with his trademark xxx. If you've never seen him live, go. It's definitely worth the trip.
 The Doc Walker boys opened for Trace and their unique blend of country rock
was the perfect set-up for the big man. Trace watched from backstage and when they were done he told lead singer, Chris
Thorsteinson, he loved their show and that he'd liked them to open for him again soon.
If you didn't make out to Countryfest, that's definitely a show you'll want to catch.
We hooked up with the boys for a quick catch up earlier in
the day and they were in great spirits. Chris has cut his shaggy surfer locks and is looking
happy and as fresh-faced as when the band first burst out on the scene. When we asked him about it, he revealed the new "do' is for his upcoming
nuptials July 28th. That's right ladies, Chris is off the market. "You find that one person and you just go for
it," he added with a grin.
July 28th is also a big date for bandmate Murray Pulver who'll be celebrating his 10th wedding anniversary this year and it seems, even Dave
Wasyliw, who is in the wedding party, will not be flying solo for the wedding. The band's long time bachelor revealed he's seeing someone
special. And, as it turns out, the lucky gal is Murray's neighbor. "We never see her
anymore," Murray added with a laugh. And if getting kudos from Trace wasn't enough, the band confirmed they'll be
opening for Bon Jovi in Edmonton in a couple of weeks. "That's pretty
insane!" says Chris. "I was listening to "Living on a Prayer". Wow. To
think we're going to be on stage with those guys is pretty crazy. "Cause I grew up listening to that stuff".
That's it for now. Check in again next week for more news and gossip from the road.
Until next time remember,
“it’s not what they say about you, it’s what they whisper.”
~ Goldie
Goldie James works for CMT
Canada where she occasionally gets to hang out with today’s hottest
country stars. She splits her time between Toronto and Los Angeles
where she enjoys photography, writing and hunting for vintage cowboy boots.
Goldie@CountryStarsOnline.com
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