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Trace Adkins Gushes About How Wife Victoria Pratt 'Inspired' His New Album

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Trace Adkins' marriage to wife, Victoria Pratt, has done him wonders.

Since marrying the actress in 2019, the country music veteran has found a whole new lease on life. "I can't even begin to explain what a difference she's made in my life," Adkins, 59, recently told PEOPLE. "She rejuvenated me and inspired me to take whatever time I have left and make the most of it…and then just make the best music that I can make."

Adkins' inspiration can be heard on his new album, The Way I Wanna Go, his 13th studio effort celebrating the 25th anniversary of his debut album, Dreamin' Out Loud. The 25-song set dropped on Friday. "I have people come up to me all the time and talk about what this song meant to them or that song meant to them," he said when reflecting on his catalog. "I mean, I'm talking hardcore, tough guys come up to me and tell me, 'That song meant so much to me and my daughter' and 'It allowed me to emote in some kind of way through that song.' That's a beautiful thing."

Among the new cuts on the collection includes "If I Was a Woman," which features his longtime friend Blake Shelton. "Blake and I went into the studio and we just laughed the whole time," he recalled. "I don't know how we even got any vocals on the song. It's amazing that we actually got something on pitch."

As for his thoughts on Shelton's intimate marriage to Gwen Stefani, Adkins offers up a joke. "I'm glad that he didn't invite anybody to the wedding because just speaking for myself, I didn't want to be a witness to that woman throwing her life away," he said with a laugh, adding, "But really, they're adorable together and I love both of them."