Trace Adkins’ Economic Advice

Trace Adkins photo courtesy of Capitol Nashville.

Feb. 6, 2009 — Sick of bad economic stories in the newspaper on the TV? Get in line. You might find yourself right next to Trace Adkins, who’s as fed up as anybody with executives raking in money off the backs of the common man.

His solution is straight-forward and unapologetic.

"I'd put people in jail, first of all," he told Dial-Global. "I would find the people that have committed these horrendous acts — you know, like the Bernie Madoffs of the world — and put 'em in jail. And then after that, I would hope that that would set the precedent that from now on, we're gonna do things more honestly and above board, and then we may not have to do anything."

Trace isn’t in control of public policy, but he does have a finger on his music, and he’s using that for a little bit of homespun financial advice. His latest single is "Marry For Money," and while it might not be the most romantic view of relationships, it’s practical. And the message should turn that recession-fed frown into a smile, at least temporarily.

"It’s just one of those songs that when the payoff comes, everybody hollers," Trace laughingly told the national radio show GAC Nights: Live From Nashville. "It’s just mindless fun, and that’s what people need right now."

But there’s additional motivation behind "Marry For Money."

"It’s servin’ a purpose," he winked. "It's my economic stimulus plan. I think that people that don’t have money should try really, really hard to marry people that do. [That would] solve all our problems."

People without money would surely appreciate some pointers on how to attract the wealthy. That part of Trace’s plan isn’t completely worked out.

"I can’t tell you what to do to make that happen," he admitted, "but do."

Trace will be in Los Angeles on Sunday hobnobbing with a few people who’ve got plenty of money — and probably some who married into it. He’s attending the Grammy Awards at the Staples Center, where he could walk away with a trophy for his performance of "You’re Gonna Miss This." The 51st annual event airs on CBS beginning at 8 p.m. ET.