Trace Adkins is taking a second stab at not getting fired on the upcoming All-Star Celebrity Apprentice, but he almost didn’t go back at all.

In a dramatic new promo for the show, Trace and fellow contestants including Penn Jillette, Gary Busey and others detail the various things they’ve been up to since their first season on the hit NBC show.

Adds an extra-dramatic Trace, “I’ve been so down. I’ve written like two dozen country songs.”

Since his first season, more than songwriting has happened. “It took my house burning down to get me to come back,” Trace said at a Television Critics Association press event this weekend.

The 2011 tragedy inspired Trace to return the new season of Celebrity Apprentice to give back to the American Red Cross, the relief effort that was there when his house caught fire.

He’ll pay it forward this season, but not without some impending stress.

Trace recalled his 2008 run and says he was “forced to tolerate individuals [he] normally wouldn’t tolerate.” Celebrity Apprentice airs March 3^rd on NBC.