Trace Adkins performed a stunning rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” earlier this week. Trace sang the song at Baltimore’s Fort McHenry, as part of the Republican National Convention, a fitting location since it is reportedly where, according to The Hill, Francis Scott Key wrote the powerful song, which later became the United States’ National Anthem, during the War of 1812.

Trace was joined on stage by President Trump’s wife, First Lady Melania Trump, as well as Second Lady Karen Pence, husband of Vice-President Mike Pence.

This is not Trace’s first time to perform at a political event. He performed at the 2012 Republican National Convention, as well as for former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam’s second inauguration in 2015. Trace also performed at a fundraiser in 2018, where President Trump was the headliner, in support of then-Republican Senate candidate and U.S. Representative Marsha Blackburn.

Trace has a long history with President Trump. The singer appeared on two seasons of Celebrity Apprentice with the business mogul, both in the inaugural season in 2008, where Trace was runner-up, and again in All-Star Celebrity Apprentice, which Trace won, raising well over a million dollars for his charity, the American Red Cross, in the process.

Trace just announced the release of a new album, Ain’t That Kind of Cowboy. The EP, his first for Verge Records, will be released on October 16, and include “Mind on Fishin’” and a new track, “Just the Way We Do It.”

“I’m from the northern part of the state,” the Louisiana native told The Tennessean, speaking of the uptempo tune. “Cajun influence really isn’t as prevalent where I’m from. Still, when I started playing music, I was working with a band from Lafayette, Louisiana, and we’d go play festivals down there. I was exposed to a lot of that stuff. I always liked it. It kinda felt like home to me.”

“[It’s] just a fun song,” he added. “Every now and then you just gotta cut something for fun.”

The video for “Just the Way We Do It” shows Trace surrounded by people, many a generation younger than him, living it up – not that the 58-year-old minded the age gap.

“That’s kind of where I’m at,” Trace said. “I’ve got kids and grandkids. It’s that resignation, like, ‘OK. This is gonna happen. Here we go.’ You just resign yourself to it, play along and … make sure nothing too crazy’s going on. Let ’em have their fun.”