Rodney Atkins - Self Titled
Album
Available Exclusively
at Cracker Barrel
By Connie Breeden - CSO Staff Journalist
9/12/10
Native
to East Tennessee and often called the "guy in the ball cap"
or "the all American Country boy", Rodney Atkins is not only
a talented singer and songwriter, but he is a loving
husband, devoted father, and a man who takes pleasure in
helping The National Council for Adoption. As a sick infant
Atkins was put up for adoption at the Holston Methodist Home
for Children in Greenville, Tennessee. Twice he was adopted
out and twice returned for medical and financial reasons,
but the third time really was the charm, Allan and Margaret
Atkins became his proud parents.
Guided with love and raised in the church this young man was
determined to make a difference. He began singing as a boy
and by the time he reached high school, he had picked up
guitar, began writing songs, and gained experience by
performing for local events and festivals.
Upon finishing high school he attended Tennessee Tech. It
didn't take long for him to make his way to Nashville where
he learned all he could about the country music business. He
performed in several of the local clubs where he was soon
spotted and signed to Curb Records.
In 2006 Atkins' sophomore platinum-selling album, "If Your
Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)," topped
the charts at number one. This song comes from a quote by
Winston Churchill "If your going through hell keep going,
may you be in heaven before the devil even knows your dead."
It's about going through some rough times. This album would
land the talented and charming country boy four number one
hits. Soon he was touring with some of the biggest names in
Country Music.
Atkins has now teamed up with Cracker Barrel to debut a CD
that consists of twelve songs, five which have already
climbed to number one on the Country music charts. This
includes one of my favorites, "Watching You," which Akins
co-wrote with Shane Minor and Tom Hambridge. Each song on
this album has a special story behind it. Inside the cover
of this Cracker Barrel CD you will find "Rodney Song
Stories."
As
stated on his website “With this record, I knew I wanted to
keep making songs that folks can sing along with, and laugh
at, and pump their fists to,” he says. “Sometimes it is the
simple things in this great country that really make me
appreciate it. When we share this sense of pride through
music, you become friends with everybody listening. It’s an
honor to go out there and represent the everyday man, and to
represent country music and what it’s all about.”
Not only was I lucky enough to have been picked to review
this album but I was also able to see Atkins perform near
his hometown in Knoxville this past Wednesday. It was easy
to see why this exciting entertainer has songs busting the
charts. We witnessed, first hand, his performance in front
of an audience of standing room only, devoted, faithful,
rowdy, fist-pumping, loud and adoring, fan. The dedication
and admiration he has for his fans, gives a whole new
meaning to "These are My People."
Inside the cover of the album Atkins says "I knew that if
these things were true to my life-they were likely the same
things that other folks were experiencing too. Taking the
time to slow down and connect with family and friends over a
good meal is real life for us, and it doesn't get more real
than Cracker Barrel."
Atkins says, "Whether it's on the front porch, or on the
road, I'll look forward to seeing you," and I guarantee you,
he means it.
www.rodneyatkins.com
www.myspace.com/rodneyatkins
