Trace Adkins’ ‘Tough People Do’ Is a Hit at Republican National Convention

Trace Adkins found the perfect audience for his new song, "Tough People Do": attendees of the Republican National Convention, held this week in Tampa, Fla.

"It was a stacked deck," Trace tells USA Today of his performance of the tune Tuesday evening (August 28), as part of the Citizens United Event.

The song, which includes the timely lyrics, "Tough times don't last, but tough people do," addresses the economic difficulties the country is facing from several different perspectives. Although Trace is not a co-writer on the tune, he says he the song is reminiscent of the lessons he learned early in life by watching his grandmother.

"My grandma was the toughest old woman that I ever saw in my life," reflects the country star. "She'd still work in the garden with an old push-plow until she was in her late 70s. Just the toughest old woman that I ever knew and, at the same time, the godliest creature that I ever knew. That's the point of this song. That's what we have in our DNA. That's what we come from. That's who we are. That's what this country needs to be reminded of. We still have the wherewithal, still have the muscle to straighten out this incredibly twisted frame that we're driving on."

Even though the song was played for the Republican party, the married father of five says he is perfectly fine with the tune crossing party lines. "If a liberal politician is OK with the line, 'Tough people pull themselves up by the bootstraps when they hit hard luck / And they stay strong and keep fighting like they don't know how to lose,' -- if he believes that, then by all means, play the song!" Trace insists.

The Louisiana native isn't the only country music star who took part in the RNC. He joined Rodney Atkins, Sara Evans, Lee Greenwood and the Oak Ridge Boys in lending their voices to the four-day event.

Trace is putting the finishing touches on a new album, which will include "Tough People Do." He's also hosting his own show on GAC, "Great American Heroes." Read our exclusive interview with the singer about his heartwarming leap to TV here.

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