Trace Adkins is known worldwide for his massive contributions to the world of country music, his distinct and smooth baritone voice, and of course, for his endless dedication of honoring those who have served our wonderful country.
In 2010, Adkins released one of his most powerful songs that pay tribute to our nation’s servicemen and women: “‘Til The Last Shot’s Fired.”
“Say a prayer for peace. For every fallen son. Set my spirit free. Let me lay down my gun. Sweet mother Mary I’m so tired. But I can’t come home ’til the last shot’s fired,” Adkins sings.
The song was from his twelfth studio album The Definitive Greatest Hits: ‘Til the Last Shot’s Fired, which is also his third compilation album. Allmusic’s Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave the album four stars out of five. He called it “an overview of his peak that is indeed definitive.”
It’s One Of The Most Powerful Songs Out There
“‘Til The Last Shot’s Fired” is written from the perspective of a dead soldier. Adkins told CMT that at this moment, the song asks the question, “What if?”
He added: “What if soldiers are in this kind of – I don’t want to say purgatory – but that’s kind of what it is. What if these soldiers are in a place where they can’t rest until the last shot’s fired until war doesn’t exist? What if only then they can find peace? I think if we knew that, and if that were true, there probably wouldn’t be wars anymore. So I thought that was a real unique way of looking at it. And it pays tribute to soldiers but, at the same time, asks that question.”
This track also features the West Point Cadet Glee Club. Adkins and his team had to go all the way to the Pentagon to ask permission to record with the group. He said that he has “probably heard that song fifty times, and every time I hear it, it still gives me goosebumps on that last a cappella chorus.”
Creating A Tear-Dabbing Moment
During the 2009 Academy of Country Music Awards show, Trace Adkins left the audience and viewers at home in tears after his performance. It’s probably one of the all-time top country award show moments — it began with a standing ovation even before the singer walked onto the stage.
He teamed up once again with the West Point Glee Club and this time, with the ACM’s charity, Lifting Lives, to support The Wounded Warrior Project and help those service members who got wounded in action.
As the show resumed after a commercial break, Lt. Andrew Kinard of the U.S. Marines appeared onstage in a wheelchair. Before Kinard made his way to the stage, he was warned that there would be healthy applause. Adkins told him to just take it in before he begins explaining his mission with the Wounded Warrior Project.
Finally, Adkins started to sing “Til the Last Shot’s Fired.” With his impressive vocals, his performance eventually created a tear-dabbing moment, most especially when images flash across a huge screen in the background showing men and women giving their all-in dedication to our blessed country. The West Point Cadet Glee Club then emerged from behind him to deliver a powerful and spine-tingling final verse.
Watch this unforgettable performance to the end to see several country stars wiping their eyes as the crowd gives the country icon, the West Point Cadet Glee Club, and Lt. Andrew Kinard a standing ovation they truly deserved.
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Trace Adkins