Trace Adkins has remained a committed supporter of the USO throughout his career, performing for the troops when his schedule permits. The busy singer, songwriter and actor says that the shows are some of the most important things he does in his career -- though they leave him feeling an unexpected emotion.

"Truthfully, I’ve never played in front of a more appreciative audience than [the troops]," Adkins shared with The Boot and other reporters at a recent media event, adding that prior to his first USO Tour, he asked Wayne Newton (the two were sharing a bill with ZZ Top, and Newton is also a longtime USO supporter) what to expect while overseas.

"And he said, ‘Expect to feel guilty when you come home,’" Adkins recalls. "And that’s all he said. He left me standing there for a long time. But then when I went and did it and came home, I understood what he was talking about.

"They had to stay. You get to go home," Adkins explains. "You feel like they gave you more than you gave them."

Adkins has previously toured for the USO in Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan -- "sandboxes," he calls the locales. So, he had a request when planning his trek for 2017.

"This time I said, ‘I’m not going to go anywhere unless you let me go somewhere cool,'" the Louisiana native shares. "So we’re going to Italy and Spain this year. Supposedly they’ve got a new naval base in Italy, so we’re going to see that. And the Navy’s got the best grub anyway."

Adkins' new album, Something's Going On, will be released on March 31. The disc's debut single, "Watered Down," is available for download on iTunes.

Country Stars Wearing the American Flag

Unforgettable Country Music Military Moments

More From TheBoot