Photos and Review By Rebecca Clark
The New York State Fair in Syracuse was in for a good time on September 5 when Trace Adkins brought his 30th Anniversary Tour to the stage. Thirty years of country music hits gave him plenty of material to work with, and he had a set filled with so many well known songs, powerful vocals, personal moments and, of course, plenty of his trademark humor.
From the first notes to the final song, Adkins showed exactly why his catalog has had such staying power. His unmistakable deep baritone was on full display throughout the night, particularly during songs like “I Got My Game On,” while the set also highlighted the range of his songwriting and storytelling. There were the rowdy, tongue-in-cheek favorites like “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” and “Hillbilly Bone,” balanced by more heartfelt songs like “Just Fishin’” and “You’re Gonna Miss This.”
But it wasn’t just the music that kept the crowd entertained. Adkins’ sense of humor was a huge part of the evening. Early in the set, he made his way over to the ASL interpreter and jokingly took the time to demonstrate how to “properly” sign “Badonkadonk.” The exchange was absolutely hilarious, and watching Adkins crack himself up made it even better. It was one of those spontaneous moments that made the show feel personal rather than rehearsed.
That humor carried throughout the night. At one point, Adkins reminded the crowd that everything coming from the stage was live, with no AI or lip syncing, before jokingly saying, “So sometimes it’s probably gonna suck, okay?” But honestly, that’s part of what makes him shine. He isn’t relying on anything other than his voice, his songs and his personality, and he gives the crowd everything he has. He’s just genuinely himself up on that stage, and you can feel that.
He then “warned” anyone with the same musical sensibilities as his mother that they could leave, because the songs she likes had already been played. He had the entire crowd laughing when he spoke about playing songs his mother doesn’t like but he does.
Adkins also made sure to acknowledge the fans who have kept him on the road for three decades. “The only reason that I get to keep doing this is because you allow me to, and I don’t take that for granted,” he told the crowd. That appreciation came through in the way he interacted with everyone throughout the night.
The 30th anniversary celebration also gave Adkins a chance to look back at where it all started. He reflected on his first single, which he said hit country radio on June 26, 1992, and shared how a song he originally wrote years ago now means even more to him. Hearing him talk about the songs and the places they came from added another layer to a set already filled with familiar favorites.
Backing him was a tight band that clearly enjoys playing together. There was an easy chemistry between Adkins and the musicians on stage, and that energy carried out into the crowd.
For the finale, Adkins stepped outside his own catalog and closed the night with George Strait’s “Troubadour,” a fitting choice for an artist looking back on three decades of country music. Adkins said he reached out to Strait personally and got his blessing to perform the song, making the choice feel even more meaningful as the final chapter of the evening.
Thirty years of hits, plenty of laughs, personal touching moments and a crowd singing along to just about everything made for a memorable night with Trace Adkins. After three decades, he clearly still knows how to have a good time on stage — and how to bring an audience along for the ride.
Trace Adkins Photo Gallery
