TRACE ADKINS: THE CHRISTMAS SHOW is a reverent, family-friendly theatrical production, featuring songs from his Celtic Christmas album, The King’s Gift. The show combines fireside story-telling with performances of classic carols. Adkins’ historical and humorous narration, loving delivery of time-honored Christmas classics and the lush instrumentation make for a truly special holiday event.
"It's Christmas carols," Trace said of the show. "There's some narration between the songs, talking about the history of some of these songs. We've grown up listening to them and really have no idea where they came from. Some of them just have fascinating anecdotes that go along with them."
Adkins said the show wasn't a concert but a "theatrical production" that makes him "stretch out a little more."
"It challenges me," he said. "It's not just getting up there and just putting the pedal down and ripping through one song after another. I'm exhausted when I get through doing one of these shows, because it's almost like a one-man play."
This marks the second year for Adkins' Christmas tour. He said he hopes to keep doing it long enough for his fans to make it their holiday tradition.
"I would love for this to be an annual thing," he said. "And these songs, I could sing this stuff until I'm 70 years old. It's not like screaming some of that other stuff I have to do."
Tickets to Adkins' "The Christmas Show" are $30-$63.50 at www.tpac.org or by calling 782-4040. A download of Adkins' Celtic Christmas album, "The King's Gift," is included with the ticket purchase.
Trace Adkins’ trademark baritone has powered countless hits to the top of the charts and sold over 10 million albums, cumulatively. His hit list includes “You're Gonna Miss This,” “Ladies Love Country Boys,” “Songs About Me,” “Every Light In The House,” “Hillbilly Bone (Blake Shelton & Trace Adkins),” and “Just Fishin’.” The Grammy-nominated member of the Grand Ole Opry is a TV personality, actor, author, spokesman for the Wounded Warrior Program and the American Red Cross, for whom he raised over $1.5 million dollars as winner of NBC’s All-Star Celebrity Apprentice. In recent years, Adkins has performed seven USO Tours.
About the The Christmas Show 2014 Tour - Sarepta Symphony:
Alyth McCormack
Born and raised on the Island of Lewis off the Northwest coast of Scotland, Alyth MCormack grew up immersed in the culture of these islands. Alyth came to Trace via Grammy award winning Irish band The Chieftains when, in the midst of their symphony tour of the U.S., Trace invited them to record as guests on The King's Gift. Alyth sings "I Saw Three Ships" with Trace on what can only be described as a truly magical performance.
Alyth is in demand from an array of recording artists and she appears on 23 albums. She has two solo albums released on Compass Records in the US, 'An Iomall' (The Edge) and 'People like me' and her third solo album 'Homelands' will be available shortly.
McCormack has toured Europe, the Far East, and North and South America. She has performed with 'Heartbeat of Home', Ry Cooder and the Symphony Orchestras of Cincinnati, Atlanta, Seattle, Washington DC and the National Symphony of Ireland.'
Brian Wooten
Brian came to Nashville in the early 90's from Austin, TX to play gospel music with The Imperials. That led to a 6 year run with Whiteheart where he recorded numerous CD's and toured the world. After Whiteheart, he began playing country with Paul Brandt and then Chris Cagle before starting to play with Trace about 10 years ago.
Emily Kohavi
Emily is a dynamic singer/songwriter and makes up one half of the duo, "Kohavi". She moved to Nashville in 2012 to pursue a Masters degree in violin and quickly fell into the steady stream of gigging, writing, and recording sessions. She's had the honor of touring and performing with a number of prominent artists at the CMAs, ACAs, and ABC's CMA Christmas program. She's grateful and excited to be on her second Christmas tour with Trace Adkins.
Emily Nelson
Nashville based cellist Emily Nelson divides her time between recording, touring and dog-sitting. Her recording credits include Roy Orbison, Taylor Swift, Lee Brice and Keb' Mo'. She has performed live with Imagine Dragons, Kacey Musgraves, Michael Buble and many more. In addition to playing with bands, Nelson loves chamber music and is a member of the Ars Nova String Quartet.
Erin Slaver
Erin is thrilled to be returning for her second season with Trace on his Christmas tour. She joins the band after spending the last few months opening for the legendary group, the Eagles and touring with JD and the Straight Shot. In the past, she has toured with Martina McBride, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Sam Palladio, and Katie Armiger playing fiddle, mandolin, acoustic guitar and singing background vocals. No stranger to the theatrical stage, Erin can be seen on ABC’S NASHVILLE singing backup for Hayden Panettierre and Connie Britton in seasons 1 and 2. She has also performed back-up for artists including Rod Stewart, Rascal Flatts, Kelly Clarkson, Carrrie Underwood, Lady A, Keith Urban, Jennifer Nettles, Il Divo, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, among others, often in televised performances such as the CMA Awards and CMA Country Christmas Special.
Jon Coleman
On keyboards and background vocals, Jon Coleman has been a member of Trace Adkins' band, The Sarepta Gentleman's Club, since 2010. In 2012 he was called upon, along with guitarist Michael Spriggs, to produce and arrange Trace's Christmas album, The King's Gift. Jon is the Musical Director for The Christmas Show.
Johnny Richardson
Born and raised in Iowa, Johnny Richardson has been playing drums since the age of three. Before moving to Nashville in 2000, he 'cut his teeth' working with numerous rock-n-roll legends including Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and Sam Moore. Since the move to Music City, Johnny has enjoyed traveling with Lee Roy Parnell, Jimmy Wayne and John Oates. Now finishing his third year as a member of Trace Adkins' Sarepta Gentleman's Club, Johnny loves the unique challenge of driving the twelve piece orchestra that the Christmas Show Tour requires.
Mark Gillespie
Multi-instrumentalist Mark Gillespie is the longest serving member of Trace Adkins' band, having signed up in 2004. Born and raised in Memphis, Mark was lured to Nashville by the thriving country and bluegrass scenes. When he received the CCMA Album of the Year award for Paul Brandt's "Small Town, Big Dreams" Mark cemented his place in history as an international award winning country and western superstar sideman.
Megan Mullins
Megan Mullins is a multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter whom you've probably seen perform, though you may not know her name. She's that violinist that you'll see playing with Shakira on SNL one night, then with Meghan Trainor and Miranda Lambert on the CMA Awards the next night. Megan Mullins has been a featured soloist on American Idol, NBC's Nashville Star, The Grand Ole Opry, SNL, Dancing with the Stars, The American Music Awards, The CMT Awards, Rachael Ray, Good Morning America, GAC's Next GAC Star, Jimmy Fallon, Jay Leno, Later with Jools Holland, PBS's The Outlaw Trail, The View plus many more.
When not making other stars shine, Mullins has enjoyed success as a solo artist. Megan's first single, released on Broken Bow Records when she was 17 years old, "Ain't What It Used to Be" was the second highest debut for all new female artists of 2006. In 2009, Megan recorded a duet with former Alabama lead singer Randy Owen, for his solo debut album One on One. Megan's self-penned single Long Past Gone was featured in heavy rotation on both CMT and GAC.
Although violin remains Megan's primary instrument, she also plays guitar, viola, cello, mandolin, piano, accordion, banjo, and clarinet.
Michael Spriggs
Guitarist Michael Spriggs can be heard on countless recordings from the last four decades. Born in England, Michael spent his early years on the Isle Of Man and is our resident expert on all things Celtic. Spriggs produced, with Jon Coleman, Trace's Christmas album and his solo acoustic recordings served as inspiration to Trace for the making of The King's Gift.
Michael Stribling
Hailing from sunny Florida, Michael Stribling is an award winning Uilleann Piper and Irish musician. In County Cavan, Ireland, he competed and won the title of "All Ireland Champion" on the Uilleann Pipes. He regularly joins the internationally touring Irish and Celtic bands Fullset and Runa, where he plays the Uilleann pipes, wooden flute, and tin whistle. When Michael isn't playing music, he competes in Ironman triathlons across the United States.
Steve Mackey
Bassist Steve Mackey found his way to Trace's music through the recording sessions for The King's Gift. Steve has been a fixture in the Nashville music community for over 20 years, lending his talents to multiple recordings and performances with artists including Trisha Yearwood, The Wallflowers, and Trace Adkins, among many others.
"It's Christmas carols," Trace said of the show. "There's some narration between the songs, talking about the history of some of these songs. We've grown up listening to them and really have no idea where they came from. Some of them just have fascinating anecdotes that go along with them."
Adkins said the show wasn't a concert but a "theatrical production" that makes him "stretch out a little more."
"It challenges me," he said. "It's not just getting up there and just putting the pedal down and ripping through one song after another. I'm exhausted when I get through doing one of these shows, because it's almost like a one-man play."
This marks the second year for Adkins' Christmas tour. He said he hopes to keep doing it long enough for his fans to make it their holiday tradition.
"I would love for this to be an annual thing," he said. "And these songs, I could sing this stuff until I'm 70 years old. It's not like screaming some of that other stuff I have to do."
Tickets to Adkins' "The Christmas Show" are $30-$63.50 at www.tpac.org or by calling 782-4040. A download of Adkins' Celtic Christmas album, "The King's Gift," is included with the ticket purchase.
Trace Adkins’ trademark baritone has powered countless hits to the top of the charts and sold over 10 million albums, cumulatively. His hit list includes “You're Gonna Miss This,” “Ladies Love Country Boys,” “Songs About Me,” “Every Light In The House,” “Hillbilly Bone (Blake Shelton & Trace Adkins),” and “Just Fishin’.” The Grammy-nominated member of the Grand Ole Opry is a TV personality, actor, author, spokesman for the Wounded Warrior Program and the American Red Cross, for whom he raised over $1.5 million dollars as winner of NBC’s All-Star Celebrity Apprentice. In recent years, Adkins has performed seven USO Tours.
About the The Christmas Show 2014 Tour - Sarepta Symphony:
Alyth McCormack
Born and raised on the Island of Lewis off the Northwest coast of Scotland, Alyth MCormack grew up immersed in the culture of these islands. Alyth came to Trace via Grammy award winning Irish band The Chieftains when, in the midst of their symphony tour of the U.S., Trace invited them to record as guests on The King's Gift. Alyth sings "I Saw Three Ships" with Trace on what can only be described as a truly magical performance.
Alyth is in demand from an array of recording artists and she appears on 23 albums. She has two solo albums released on Compass Records in the US, 'An Iomall' (The Edge) and 'People like me' and her third solo album 'Homelands' will be available shortly.
McCormack has toured Europe, the Far East, and North and South America. She has performed with 'Heartbeat of Home', Ry Cooder and the Symphony Orchestras of Cincinnati, Atlanta, Seattle, Washington DC and the National Symphony of Ireland.'
Brian Wooten
Brian came to Nashville in the early 90's from Austin, TX to play gospel music with The Imperials. That led to a 6 year run with Whiteheart where he recorded numerous CD's and toured the world. After Whiteheart, he began playing country with Paul Brandt and then Chris Cagle before starting to play with Trace about 10 years ago.
Emily Kohavi
Emily is a dynamic singer/songwriter and makes up one half of the duo, "Kohavi". She moved to Nashville in 2012 to pursue a Masters degree in violin and quickly fell into the steady stream of gigging, writing, and recording sessions. She's had the honor of touring and performing with a number of prominent artists at the CMAs, ACAs, and ABC's CMA Christmas program. She's grateful and excited to be on her second Christmas tour with Trace Adkins.
Emily Nelson
Nashville based cellist Emily Nelson divides her time between recording, touring and dog-sitting. Her recording credits include Roy Orbison, Taylor Swift, Lee Brice and Keb' Mo'. She has performed live with Imagine Dragons, Kacey Musgraves, Michael Buble and many more. In addition to playing with bands, Nelson loves chamber music and is a member of the Ars Nova String Quartet.
Erin Slaver
Erin is thrilled to be returning for her second season with Trace on his Christmas tour. She joins the band after spending the last few months opening for the legendary group, the Eagles and touring with JD and the Straight Shot. In the past, she has toured with Martina McBride, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Sam Palladio, and Katie Armiger playing fiddle, mandolin, acoustic guitar and singing background vocals. No stranger to the theatrical stage, Erin can be seen on ABC’S NASHVILLE singing backup for Hayden Panettierre and Connie Britton in seasons 1 and 2. She has also performed back-up for artists including Rod Stewart, Rascal Flatts, Kelly Clarkson, Carrrie Underwood, Lady A, Keith Urban, Jennifer Nettles, Il Divo, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, among others, often in televised performances such as the CMA Awards and CMA Country Christmas Special.
Jon Coleman
On keyboards and background vocals, Jon Coleman has been a member of Trace Adkins' band, The Sarepta Gentleman's Club, since 2010. In 2012 he was called upon, along with guitarist Michael Spriggs, to produce and arrange Trace's Christmas album, The King's Gift. Jon is the Musical Director for The Christmas Show.
Johnny Richardson
Born and raised in Iowa, Johnny Richardson has been playing drums since the age of three. Before moving to Nashville in 2000, he 'cut his teeth' working with numerous rock-n-roll legends including Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and Sam Moore. Since the move to Music City, Johnny has enjoyed traveling with Lee Roy Parnell, Jimmy Wayne and John Oates. Now finishing his third year as a member of Trace Adkins' Sarepta Gentleman's Club, Johnny loves the unique challenge of driving the twelve piece orchestra that the Christmas Show Tour requires.
Mark Gillespie
Multi-instrumentalist Mark Gillespie is the longest serving member of Trace Adkins' band, having signed up in 2004. Born and raised in Memphis, Mark was lured to Nashville by the thriving country and bluegrass scenes. When he received the CCMA Album of the Year award for Paul Brandt's "Small Town, Big Dreams" Mark cemented his place in history as an international award winning country and western superstar sideman.
Megan Mullins
Megan Mullins is a multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter whom you've probably seen perform, though you may not know her name. She's that violinist that you'll see playing with Shakira on SNL one night, then with Meghan Trainor and Miranda Lambert on the CMA Awards the next night. Megan Mullins has been a featured soloist on American Idol, NBC's Nashville Star, The Grand Ole Opry, SNL, Dancing with the Stars, The American Music Awards, The CMT Awards, Rachael Ray, Good Morning America, GAC's Next GAC Star, Jimmy Fallon, Jay Leno, Later with Jools Holland, PBS's The Outlaw Trail, The View plus many more.
When not making other stars shine, Mullins has enjoyed success as a solo artist. Megan's first single, released on Broken Bow Records when she was 17 years old, "Ain't What It Used to Be" was the second highest debut for all new female artists of 2006. In 2009, Megan recorded a duet with former Alabama lead singer Randy Owen, for his solo debut album One on One. Megan's self-penned single Long Past Gone was featured in heavy rotation on both CMT and GAC.
Although violin remains Megan's primary instrument, she also plays guitar, viola, cello, mandolin, piano, accordion, banjo, and clarinet.
Michael Spriggs
Guitarist Michael Spriggs can be heard on countless recordings from the last four decades. Born in England, Michael spent his early years on the Isle Of Man and is our resident expert on all things Celtic. Spriggs produced, with Jon Coleman, Trace's Christmas album and his solo acoustic recordings served as inspiration to Trace for the making of The King's Gift.
Michael Stribling
Hailing from sunny Florida, Michael Stribling is an award winning Uilleann Piper and Irish musician. In County Cavan, Ireland, he competed and won the title of "All Ireland Champion" on the Uilleann Pipes. He regularly joins the internationally touring Irish and Celtic bands Fullset and Runa, where he plays the Uilleann pipes, wooden flute, and tin whistle. When Michael isn't playing music, he competes in Ironman triathlons across the United States.
Steve Mackey
Bassist Steve Mackey found his way to Trace's music through the recording sessions for The King's Gift. Steve has been a fixture in the Nashville music community for over 20 years, lending his talents to multiple recordings and performances with artists including Trisha Yearwood, The Wallflowers, and Trace Adkins, among many others.
© Moments By Moser Photography * Bev Moser
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