Trace Adkins premieres patriotic song as ‘Chicago’ says FIFA guests prove American greatness
Grammy-winning country star Trace Adkins and rock mainstay Chicago spoke to Fox News Digital about Adkins' new single, "American Made," and why celebrating America's 250th birthday means so much to them.
Adkins premiered his new single "American Made" on PBS's "A Capitol Fourth," an annual live concert on Capitol Hill, while Chicago also performed during the event.
Adkins said he and some friends came together to write "American Made" and submit it to a record label.
"[We] thought this year was the best timing that we could ever have to celebrate the 250th. So we put this song out. I like it. I do," he said.
When asked what message he hopes the public will take from the song, he spoke about how his wife just recently became a naturalized American citizen.
"She is so proud to be an American," he said. "My family's been here for over eight generations on both sides. I'm proud to be an American too, and you know, I think we're equally as proud so there you go."
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In separate interviews, Adkins and Chicago’s founding member Lee Loughnane pointed to the reactions of global tourists in the U.S. for the FIFA World Cup.
"World Cup folks are coming over and finding out that it's really easy to walk around. They get surprised when someone comes to refill a drink for them. They don't have to pay another $12," Loughnane said. "The freedoms that we have and that we take for granted, they're just seen now."
Many videos and accounts from foreigners visiting the U.S. for the FIFA Club World Cup have gone viral, including Japanese fans visiting Texas and praising American barbecue.
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One Australian comic in the U.S. with his son posted a video about a bus driver in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., giving them a gesture of good faith after they were unable to make change for a fare, and separately extolled the taste and value of Popeye's chicken meals.
German and Scottish fans also posted emotional tributes to their time in the U.S., including after the latter purportedly enjoyed their environs so much they drank Boston dry.
Both Adkins and the Chicago members said they’ve seen the contrast in their decades of traveling the world for concerts.
"I've been to those other places. This is the best place, man. And when I'm away from here, I feel uneasy until I get back home," Adkins said.
"A lot of those people, when they say [they aren’t proud to be Americans] they've never been anywhere."
Chicago’s Rudy Cardenas, who is originally from Venezuela, said he is "blessed" to be living in the U.S.
"You have to remember that when we travel around we get to see so many different cultures and the way that other people live and to come back to this country and to just be like, we got it pretty good," he said.
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"So it's an honor, and we're so blessed and to be able to celebrate 250 with this band in this venue is just crazy amazing, so it's going to be one of a kind."
Asked about polling showing a decline in patriotism, Loughnane said many people take America for granted and that there are "misunderstandings" and times when people are told things about current events or history that are not particularly true.
"So, I enjoy being an American, and I'm very proud of it and I won't stop," he said.