Real Music Tones from Rodney Atkins

New Country Crooner

Country singer Rodney Atkins was born on March 28, 1967 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Shortly after his birth, he was put up for adoption. The first two couples that took him home could not cope with Atkins’ physical ailments. They returned him to the Holston Methodist Home for Children in Greeneville, Tennessee.

The third time seemed to be the charm for the sickly Rodney. A third couple adopted Atkins and took him home to Cumberland Gap, Tennessee. Although his conditioned worsened, they refused to give up on him, or to give him up to anyone else. Atkins adoptive parents were no strangers themselves to difficult circumstances. His adoptive father came from a family environment with a history of poverty and abuse. His adoptive mother’s family members were coal miners who had lived near a tannery.

Singer and Songwriter

During his high-school years, Rodney Atkins performed at special events and festivals. The young guitar player attended Tennessee Tech in Cookeville, Tennessee. He worked a series of jobs to pay for school. Atkins also traveled to Nashville to perform and to write songs.

A Slow Start

Atkins cannot be classified as an overnight sensation. He released his debut album in 1997. This self-titled effort included the single “In a Heartbeat,” which peaked at #74 on the U.S. Country chart.

The title track from his follow-up effort Honesty, placed at #4 on the U.S. Country chart. Other singles released on this CD were “Sing Along,” “My Old Man,” and “Someone to Share it With.” Atkins did achieve a #1 hit in 2006 with “If You’re Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows).” The song “Watching You” also reached #1 status on the charts. The video for “Watching You” is no doubt a special one for Atkins. His four-year-old son, Elijah, co-stars with his father. Atkins fans are surely looking forward to hearing more of his work in the future.

Rodney Atkins (1997):

1. In A Heartbeat
2. Only Knows
3. Tear It Up
4. Nothing To Lose
5. Diamonds
6. It Never Fails
7. Forgetting Something
8. It’s Been Real
9. All In My Heart
10. I Thought There Was Time

Honesty (2002):

1. Honesty (Write Me a List)
2. What’s Left of Me
3. Monkey in the Middle
4. Someone to Share It With
5. Love We Make
6. Man I Am Today
7. Uncomplicated
8. Sing Along
9. Yeah She Does
10. I Will Come to You
11. Forgiveness and Permission
12. My Old Man

If You’re Going Through Hell (2006):

1. These Are My People
2. About the South
3. Watching You
4. Cleaning This Gun (Come on in Boy)
5. In the Middle
6. Man on a Tractor
7. Wasted Whiskey
8. Invisibly Shaken
9. Angel’s Hands
10. If You’re Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)