Yallwire News

Trace Adkins - who placed second on NBC's Celebrity Apprentice back in 2008 - didn't get to see his pal John Rich's debut on the show last Sunday night.

Trace tells Country Weekly, "I was on a plane. I did not get to see it, but my wife went over to John's house to the party he had. She said everybody had a good time. I really wanted to make it there."

He still helped John out when he was on the show though, explaining, "He called me one time and asked if I would give him money for one of his tasks on the show. He  had given me [money for a task] the season I was on [Celebrity Apprentice], so he called in his favor and I went and paid him."

When asked if he thinks Rich will be able to hold his own on the show, he jokes, "You don't have to give John any advice in a situation like that; he knows what he's doing."

The next episode airs Sunday night on NBC.