Country music star Trace Adkins has shared an unflinching account of a harrowing incident from 1994 when he was shot by his then-wife, Julie Curtis, during a domestic dispute. Now 64, Adkins recalls the traumatic event that left him with life-threatening injuries and necessitated emergency surgery.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/trace-adkins-1-072826-b3d9849ab7e74db8a57a58245f8fef5e.jpg)
In a candid interview on the podcast “This Past Weekend with Theo Von,” Adkins recounted how an argument over his drinking escalated, resulting in Curtis shooting him as he tried to take the gun from her. The bullet pierced his heart and lungs, requiring immediate medical intervention. Reflecting on the severity of the incident, Adkins remarked, “That was uncalled for. That was totally uncalled for. Just leave. Let’s just call it quits and we don’t have to go that far.”
Despite the life-altering nature of the altercation, Adkins chose not to press charges against Curtis. He expressed his belief that she did not fully understand the consequences of her actions, admitting, “I’d never seen her hold a gun, I’d never seen her shoot a gun. I knew she had one, but I’d never seen her use it. I don’t think she knew what was about to happen when she pulled that trigger. She thought it was a toy.”
The events leading up to the shooting were fraught with tension. Adkins described how Curtis, visibly upset, wanted him to leave their home, a request he resisted. It was in that charged atmosphere that the gun was used as a means of expression during their confrontation—resulting in a catastrophic decision. The bullet’s trajectory was critical; it entered under Adkins’s left arm and exited from his right, narrowly missing vital arteries that could have led to his death.
Emergency medical services were swift to respond; Adkins was airlifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he underwent life-saving open-heart surgery. The surgeons told him he had sustained a “kill shot,” but the circumstances of the shot—in particular, its velocity—played a role in his survival. “If it hadn’t been for that Life Flight and Vanderbilt Medical Center, I wouldn’t be here,” he reflected.
The couple divorced later that same year, a significant life change coinciding with the release of Adkins’s debut album, “Dreamin’ Out Loud,” in 1996. His career subsequently flourished, and today, he is well recognised in the country music scene.
In his personal life, Adkins has sons and daughters from two other marriages and has since married actress Victoria Pratt in a ceremony officiated by fellow country star Blake Shelton in 2019. He has often shared how the experience left an indelible mark on him, both physically and emotionally.
In a 2022 interview with PEOPLE, he reflected on the lasting impact of that day. “It wasn’t my time to go. It was painful, but it didn’t sear my memory. The physical pain—broken bones and surgeries and bullets—has never really bothered me. I have a high tolerance for it. It’s the broken hearts that left the deepest scars,” he candidly expressed.
Despite his life experiences, Adkins maintains a forward-looking perspective, regularly undergoing check-ups with his heart doctor and continuing to share his story. His survival not only speaks to his resilience but also highlights the complexities and struggles surrounding personal relationships, particularly within high-stress environments. As he dives into his past, Adkins hopes to raise awareness about such issues, encouraging others to seek help and understanding amid tumultuous times.