It’s been 10 years since Trace Adkinsdelivered one of the most touching Memorial Day performances.
In 2016, the country superstar took the stage at the National Memorial Day Concert put on annually by PBS to sing his 2005 track “Arlington,” and his reverent tribute remains one of the most memorable performances in the event’s history.
In fact, American Songwriter includes Adkins’ 2016 performance on its list of the 3 of the Most Moving National Memorial Day Concert Performances, which was published in 2024. (The list also includes Charles Esten‘s 2018 cover of “Some Gave All” by Billy Ray Cyrus and Cynthia Erivo‘s performance of “Requiem for a Solider” in 2018.)
Adkins released “Arlington” in June 2005 as the second single from his hit album Songs About Me. The song is told from the perspective of a fallen American soldier who has been brought “home” and laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. It peaked at No. 16 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in August 2005, and remains of the most beloved songs about American patriotism in country music history.
“Arlington” is frequently included on lists of the most patriotic country songs of all time, including rankings from Country Thang Daily and Woman’s World, both of which placed the Adkins track at No. 6.
It also currently sits at No. 6 on the fan-voted list of the best patriotic country songs by Ranker.
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Adkins has performed “Arlington” on a number of patriotic occasions, and it was included on the setlist for his concert on Friday, May 22 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, which took place over Memorial Day weekend.
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Adkins will also be performing this year at the U.S. Capitol’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the U.S., where he is expected to play his new song “American Made” on national television for the first time.
“A Capital Fourth: 250 Weekend Celebration” airs July 3rd at 8 pm E.T. on public television stations nationwide (check local listings), and for American Forces Network for service members around the world.
Related: 1992 Ballad Became One of the ‘Most Patriotic Country Songs’ Of All Time, But Didn’t Even Crack the Top 10