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Exclusive: Trace Adkins on honoring veterans and performing at the National Memorial Day Concert

Country star Trace Adkins will perform at the National Memorial Day Concert on PBS for his fifth time and reveals how this year will be different due to COVID-19, but equally as meaningful and celebratory in honoring veterans.

By Heather Newgen

Trace Adkins isn’t letting quarantine restrictions deter his support for the troops. The National Memorial Day Concert is one of PBS’ highest rated shows and will go on as scheduled, but with a few noticeable changes. The event draws hundreds of thousands of people to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building, but this year the tributes and performances will be filmed separately in accordance with social distancing guidelines–something Adkins didn’t mind.

“For me, it was less of a challenge than it has been in the past because there was no live audience and if I screwed up I got to do it over again. In the past I walked out on stage to 200,000 people, so it’s like being in a pressure cooker. This time it was way easier,” he laughed.

But that doesn’t mean the three-time Grammy nominee didn’t miss the fans.

“It was very strange. I got on top of a building with the Capitol Dome in the background and we had a skeleton camera crew. They played the tracks and I sang. It was surreal. I looked down and there was literally nobody there. This is my fifth time performing at the Memorial Day Concert. Every year that I’ve performed you walk out and there’s the orchestra and thousands of people in front of you. It’s awesome and just an awe-inspiring setting. This time it was different, but still I think we approached it with the same reverence and the same tone. Hopefully this show will remind people what this holiday is about. It’s about the most important holiday because if it wasn’t for this one, we wouldn’t be able to celebrate all the other ones. That’s the goal we had going into this and hopefully this will help remind people they should take a moment and pay tribute to the people who have sacrificed so much for us,” he exclusively told The Voluntourist.

RELATED: D-Day survivor Ray Lambert recounts the Omaha Beach horror and why he was apprehensive to tell his story

Adkins has always advocated for veterans and is happy to celebrate them every chance he gets.

“I was thrilled to be asked to be a part of this. I was really happy they were going forward with it and going to do the show. It’s always a privilege and the highlight of my year to be part of this show. This year, I think especially. It provides some perspective. We’re going through a strange time but there have been generations before us who have been asked to sacrifice way more than we’re being asked to sacrifice. The times have been tougher on a much bigger scale and I think we need to be reminded of that. This too shall pass.”

He added, “It’s always been a privilege to work with veteran organizations and it’s really been the most meaningful thing that I’ve done in my career. I don’t expect to stop doing it.”

A few weeks ago Trace Adkins dropped his new single “Better Off,” which has already garnered over two million streams. But, don’t expect to see him perform it on the National Memorial Day Concert.

“It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to go out there and do my new single. I did “Still A Soldier” and “Til the Sun Comes Up.” I think those songs hit the right notes and help people get the right frame of mind for this Memorial Day weekend.”

The National Memorial Day Concert will air on PBS Sunday, May 24 at 7 p.m. CT. The concert also will stream on Facebook, YouTube and pbs.org.

How Stars Honored American Heroes and Fallen Soldiers at the PBS National Memorial Day Concert

Whether they fought on the beaches of Normandy, battled in the jungles of Vietnam, stormed the sands of Iraq, the mountains of Afghanistan or the harsh Korean terrain, Memorial Day gives us a chance to pause and recognize all of the men and women who selflessly sacrificed for our freedom. For the last 30 years, the award-winning PBS National Memorial Day Concert has paid special tribute to American veterans, and has become the favorite annual tradition for locals to attend and millions to watch.

By: Heather Newgen

The 90-minute patriotic show is held on the West Lawn of the Capitol Building in Washington D.C., and includes dramatic readings from Hollywood’s finest stars retelling the experiences of soldiers, standout performances by top artists and American heroes getting well deserved recognition. The event perfectly blends celebration with reflection, and every branch of the military is beautifully honored with their armed service songs played by the National Symphony Orchestra led by Jack Everly.

Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna and Tony Award-nominated actress Mary McCormack co-hosted this year’s annual event. The “West-Wing” star has appeared on the broadcast for the last two years to share the stories of Gold Star families and Silver Star recipients, but stepped in for Gary Sinise, who has been a longtime host with Mantegna, but couldn’t participate this year “due to circumstances beyond his control.”

“I’m excited. It’s a real honor. I love being part of the show,” McCormack told The Voluntourist. “I would come and set up chairs or put out snacks [just to be a part of it]. I’m a stalker of the show. It’s so moving. It’s impossible not to get swept up in it.”

For Mantegna, he’s been involved for almost two decades now with the PBS National Memorial Day Concert and says it’s the most important thing he does of the year.

“I’ve had a good life and I know it came on the backs of a lot of other people. Freedom isn’t free. People paid a great price.”

In addition to his hosting duties, the “Criminal Minds” actor teamed up with his buddy Dennis Haysbert to tell the journey of Vietnam veterans Brad Kennedy and Ernest “Pete” Peterson who were reunited five years ago.

WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 26: Acclaimed actor Dennis Haysbert (L) and Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna (R) onstage at the 2019 National Memorial Day Concert at U.S. Capitol, West Lawn on May 26, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Capital Concerts Inc.)[/caption]

“To be able to tell this incredible story with Dennis of these two men who are friends, as Dennis and I are friends, in a way it makes me realize that the kind of friendship that we have didn’t have to go through the trials and tribulations, pain and suffering that these guys did. Our job is to do the best recounting of history as possible.”

Haysbert added, “I’ve known Joe for years and we’re both very sensitive individuals. We take the text and break it down in a very serious and emotional way. It’s special. I cried like a baby [when I heard their story] It’s an incredible honor and a privilege to be able to tell these stories. They want to tell these stories and the American people need to hear it.”

Oscar-nominated actor Sam Elliott was also on hand at the 30th PBS National Memorial Day Concert. “The Ranch” star told the story of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Ray Lambert who saved countless lives on D-Day.

RELATED: How Sergeant Ray Lambert is Honoring his Fellow Soldiers 75 Years after D-Day

“I’ve watched this thing for a number of years on television since Ossie Davis was hosting. I’ve known several men over the years who have been in the heart of combat and it’s always touched me to hear those kind of encounters. We civilians rarely get an opportunity to hear those encounters. When I read the story I was totally taken by it. I’m honored to say his words and tell his tale.”

WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 26: Academy Award-nominated actor Sam Elliott (L) greets 98-year-old Ray Lambert, highly-decorated WWII combat medic who landed on Omaha Beach during D-Day, at the 2019 National Memorial Day Concert at U.S. Capitol, West Lawn on May 26, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Capital Concerts Inc.)[/caption]

Gold Star Wife Ursula Palmer was an honoree as well at this year’s PBS National Memorial Day Concert for the inspiring ways she gave back to others while coping with the death of her husband Army Sergeant First Class Collin Bowen.

RELATED: How Gold Star Wife Ursula Palmer found love after tragedy

“Station 19” actress Jaina Lee Ortiz told her emotional journey of overcoming inconsolable anguish and finding happiness after tragedy.

“It’s a very challenging story to tell because you can’t help but imagine what her experiences were. Just to be in her shoes for those three minutes is heartbreaking, but also inspiring. I admire her strength and her will to move forward and continue living life. It’s something that you don’t ever forget, It stays with you forever. It’s a story I think everyone should hear. Hopefully it touches people.”

WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 26: Television star Jaina Lee Ortiz onstage at the 2019 National Memorial Day Concert at U.S. Capitol, West Lawn on May 26, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Capital Concerts Inc.)

Ortiz continued, “My mom passed this past November. They say grief is a gift and it’s one of the gifts that I can use telling this story. [I’m using those emotions to draw on for, but] also imagination. Having been in love and having been married, just imagine your soul mate going off and possibly never seeing him again. That’s got to be something that eats at your every day.”

All-star musicians Patti LaBelle, Gavin DeGraw, Justin Moore, Amber Riley, and Tony-nominated Hamilton star Christopher Jackson performed, and “American Idol” contestant Alyssa Rahgu kicked things off with the National Anthem.

Watch the PBS National Memorial Day Concert here or watch on Demand until June 9, 2019.

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