RODNEY ATKINS’ CD IS CERTIFIED PLATINUM!

Nashville, Tenn. (March 26, 2007) – Curb Recording Artist Rodney Atkins records songs that are autobiographical and lyrics from the title track of his platinum album If You’re Going Through Hell are no exception. After 10 years, 5 months and 25 days from the day he signed his record deal, Atkins has become one of country music’s hot new male vocalists and an “overnight success.”  

“If You’re Going Through Hell, Keep on Going,
Don’t Slow Down, If You’re Scared Don’t Show it,
You Might Get Out Before the Devil Even Knows You’re There”

It’s no wonder these words resonated with the Tennessee native. Years of pounding the pavement, performing for fans all over the country, catching glimpses of stardom and taking odd jobs to make ends meet, Rodney Atkins’ perseverance paid off with two back to back multiple week Number One singles, two ACM nominations and an RIAA certified Platinum Album.  Rodney also has holds the exclusive honor of being the only nominee in the “Best New Male Vocalist” category for his ACM nomination who has a platinum album.

The title track soared to the top of the charts and remained there for four weeks. It was also Billboard’s most-played country song for the year.  The second single off the chart-topping album, “Watching You,” spent five weeks at number one on the country charts. His 2006 success has rolled into 2007 with Rodney’s album being a top country seller – behind only Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts and Carrie Underwood.  If the response to the third single  “These Are My People” continues this steady career- building path for Atkins, country radio could have another hit on their hands.

Rodney Atkins is currently nominated for two Academy of Country Music Awards for “Best New Male Vocalist” and “Song of the Year” for “If You’re Going Through Hell.”  He continues to win new fans with powerhouse live performances on stage and TV as he crisscrosses the country showcasing his strong voice and infectious lyrics. He will hit the road with Martina McBride in April and later this summer, join Brad Paisley on tour.  For a list of tour dates, please visit www.rodneyatkins.com.

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It seems like this weekend was negativity weekend or something. Almost everyone I spoke with was all in a “can’t” mode or something or in a life just sucks all the time mode.

Don’t get me wrong I have my moments but dang, like my Mom used to say “can’t never could”

Positive breeds positive and just giving up before things start will never ever breed a positive result!

I took a long nap this afternoon because I wasn’t feeling too swell so if you were one of the 8 voicemails I have waiting on me to check, I’ll give you a ring tomorrow. I’m not sure what or even who they are from at this point but I wasn’t letting anymore negativity in for the weekend lol We’ll save the postive or negative stuff for Monday morn…

 Lots of exciting things happening behind the scenes here and I hope to have a few cool things to update y’all on soon.

Went to a dinner theater type production at Mom’s church on Sunday and have to say some people are just born performers whether they ever earn an Emmy or Oscar or not lol It is funny how people in your local church can out act or perform some people on TV lol They were doing this to raise money for a new missions church in Canada.

The race today at Bristol wasn’t as caution filled as I expected as far as big car gathering wrecks, not that I’m complaining. A little bummed Truex, Sadler and Kahne didn’t have better ending results when I had a lot of hope at the beginning of the day. Glad to see they all pulled out better finishes than what they might have if they had given up.  

In the music blender this week is Chris Young, Matchbox Twenty, Cross Canadian Ragweed, The Scream and Vagrant Justice!

 Got a little bit done around the house in between the races, church functions, phone calls and nap. I will feel better once everything here is totally put away and nothing left to be “unpacked” I hate stumbling over boxes. All in time though. Mom and I have two days set up this coming week to knock out a lot of the “going through” things phase. You know the use things, the might use someday box and the yard sale box and then for me there is the great memorabilia but I’ll never put it up box that will get used for prizes and gifts for various things this year

Prayers going out to several folks this week that had a lot of news to chew up and process, most of it ending very well

Well this week I’ll be in Nashvegas just about every day and probably will end up at the Busch race this weekend.

Don’t forget Rodney’s song “These Are My People” is out there for everyone to request from radio.

Yep it is that time again, the weekend and boy am I glad to see it coming lol I’ve been pretty slammed with various work things this week and few personal ones as well.

I’m looking forward to seeing how the COT races at Bristol, so many various takes on the whole thing… I think I’ll play Monday morning Quarterback and wait until after to make any kind of opinions on the COT. Again this week I have lots of friends heading out to the track and yes those horrible rumors are true lol I did turn down tickets. I know, I know, I’m a bad race fan but Bristol is a race I like to watch from the comfort of my own living room and not packed into that tiny “bowl” getting high/killed on fumes and that doesn’t even include the hiking you do just to get in and to your seats lol I think EVERY race fan should go to Bristol at least once though, it is an amazing experience, maybe they’ll start giving out cans of oxygen on your way out though… just an idea lol For all of those heading out to the track make sure to stop by the Sharpie & Infield Parking area for some cool fun!

Rodney’s Fan Club Party tickets are selling in very well! We are all riding on a high this month between the ACM nominations, going platinum and Brad Paisley tour announcement, not to mention being the firt offiicial music artist on Infield Parking. It has been quite the unbelievable time in the Rodney camp! Lots of hard work went into it all and it is nice to see some returns on that hard work! Make sure to start requesting “These Are My People” at your favorite local radio station and the video should be released in April, it hasn’t been shot yet and there may be news soon on how his fans can participate in this one.

Peyton Manning on SNL, well this should be fun. Whether he is funny or not I’m sure there will be lots of laughter… either with him or at him. I can’t wait to see it! Y’all all know I’m a big Peyton fan from way back!

Loving the new Daughtry CD! LOVING IT! Can’t get enough of it! And I’m planning on going to see them when they hit NashVegas next month! Another show in NashVegas I can NOT wait on is Butch Walker! Man it blows my mind I’ve been seeing Butch play for about 15 years in the various “incarnations” of Butch and the bands he’s been in/with/fronting/etc! Now all I need is a Vagrant Justice show to make me feel complete lmao, no seriously, I need a Vagrant Justice show…any chance of that happening again soon?

I’ve actually had Slammin’ Gladys and Jake Owen in the CD player a lot this week… along with the mainstay of Cross Canadian Ragweed! Chris Young and Blake Shelton have filtered back into the mix this week too.

I’ve had a few emails lately asking about Mom, she’s doing great and we’ve had a good bit of time together lately and I couldn’t be happier about that!

My Flickr Album will grow… not a lot in there right now except last years Fan Club Party/CMA Music Fest Rodney Atkins pictures and that was mostly to test it out and make sure I wasn’t a complete idiot on getting things organized and uploaded lol A little patience won’t kill ya lol

Well I’m off to answer emails, take a conference call and to watch, um, listen to Cup quals, okay so watching with mute on when on the conference call or listening while working on emails… :)

March 22, 2007 — Just when Brad Paisley’s “Bonfires & Amplifiers” tour appeared to be finalized, the new dad has added a whole new leg to the trek.

The tour, which kicks off in late April, now has 75 dates on the books, extending through mid-November. The second leg, which kicks off in early September, will hit a host of Canadian cities, as well as U.S. venues from the East Coast to the Midwest. Taylor Swift, Kellie Pickler and Jack Ingram will open during the first half of the tour, while Taylor will join Rodney Atkins in opening the second half.

To read more click here

SPTimes.com

Chasco music is free for the listening

Okay, you have to pay for one concert, but you’ll be under the stars in Sims Park.

By BARBARA L. FREDRICKSEN
Published March 23, 2007

5:45 p.m. March 31: Chasco Country Concert with headliners Rodney Atkins (If You’re Going Through Hell) and Darryl Worley (Have You Forgotten?); opening is Wiley Fox. Tickets are $15-$30, available at the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce, online at TicketLeap ($25 Golden Circle only) or at the gate. 

BULLS GAP, Tenn. — Volunteer Speedway is proud to announce that Nextel Cup star Kasey Kahne will serve as grand marshall March 24 when the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series makes its first-ever appearance at “The Gap.”

To read more about Kasey’s appearance click here

Busy weekend but good weekend

So I will FINALLY get some time this weekend to unpack some of the stuff from the last “unload” from the storage building from last weekend.

2 weddings, lots of R, some other stuff in the works and it has lead to one busy week!

I’m pretty tired of tripping over boxes so I’m hoping that it will be a very productive weekend. Mom is coming over this afternoon because well, she’s Mom lol and so I’m putting her on dishwashing duty so she won’t over do it. The dishes were washed before they were packed and they get ashed after they come out of the boxes so there is plenty to be washed and she can rest in between

I have a feeling there will be a full trash can (or three) for the trash folks next week because as I unpack I’m tossing things I haven’t missed the last few months. lol It’s kind of like Spring cleaning lol

I know several of y’all are heading to the track this weekend! Have fun and if you just have to hit those after the track spots lol I’ve got the Visa and bail money all set (unless you drink and drive…then you get to rot in jail ) Seems the party is going to be massive in the ATL this weekend!

Rodney and the guys head to NC, VA & PA this weekend, lots of FC and Rod Squad members heading out to those shows, along with some friends too! Can’t wait to hear about all the fun and some of y’all getting to catch up with everyone!

I”m listening to Good Times by Tommy Lee and Mr. RockStar Butch Walker today, it has been in my head for 3 days lol Got to get it out one way or another lol

LOVE LOVE LOVE the new show October Road! Loved the music they have in it, love the actors they chose, love the premise, love it all!

I’ve got to run up to NashVegas today so I’ll be on the cell if anyone needs me! I”m off to see Batman lol

Gillette is turning its NASCAR “Young Guns” advertising theme into branded content and the basis for a reality television show on ABC that begins filming this week at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C., and is slated to run during the NBA Finals.

Fast Cars and Super Stars: Gillette Young Guns Celebrity Race will see the Nextel Cup drivers that have appeared in ads for the men’s personal care brand — Kurt Busch, Kasey Kahne, Carl Edwards, Jamie McMurray, Ryan Newman and 2006 champion Jimmie Johnson — instructing a bevy of sports and entertainment stars on the finer points of stock-car driving.

Read More Here

Jeff Bates, Blue County, Eric Church, Emerson Drive, Buddy Jewell, Craig Morgan, Danielle Peck, Ray Scott and Chris Young Bring Taste of Legendary Music Event

Markets Include Atlanta, Ga; Birmingham, Ala.; Charlotte, N.C.; Charleston, S.C.; Fayetteville, Ark.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Memphis, Tenn.; Orlando, Fla.; and Raleigh, N.C.

NASHVILLE – As a precursor to CMA Music Festival, the “crown jewel of Country Music festivals” according to USA Today, “Crisco® Presents The Road To CMA Music Festival” will visit Wal-Mart stores in nine cities in April, bringing a taste of the legendary festival direct to the fans. In each city, Country Music artists will perform in the store parking lot before meeting the fans and signing autographs – a hallmark of CMA Music Festival since it began in 1972 as Fan Fair®.

Artists participating in the tour include Jeff Bates, Blue County, Eric Church, Emerson Drive, Buddy Jewell, Craig Morgan, Danielle Peck, Ray Scott and Chris Young.

“This tour is a wonderful way to sample what CMA Music Festival is all about: Country artists performing and interacting with fans,” said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Operating Officer. “Thousands of fans travel to Nashville each summer for CMA Music Festival from all 50 states and more than 20 different countries. ‘The Road to CMA Music Festival’ brings a piece of the experience directly to the fans’ hometowns.” 

The tour markets include Atlanta, Ga.; Birmingham, Ala.; Charlotte, N.C.; Charleston, S.C.; Fayetteville, Ark.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Memphis, Tenn.; Orlando, Fla.; and Raleigh, N.C., with the possibility of additional markets to be announced soon. Before each performance, the events will feature family activities for kids of all ages, including free giveaways from CMA Music Festival, Crisco®, Chevy: The Official Ride of Country Music, Greased Lightning®, Southwest Airlines, and Gibson Guitar. A local Country radio station in each market will be involved in promoting the events.

Family-friendly entertainment is also the foundation of 2007 CMA Music Festival, which takes place in Downtown Nashville Thursday-Sunday, June 7-10. The event features more than 70 hours of live musical performances; more than 30 hours of autograph signings; family activities; celebrity sports competitions; and much more, earning its reputation as the dream destination for fans of America’s music.

“Crisco® Presents The Road To CMA Music Festival” tour dates are as follows. The pre-event activities will begin at 5:00 PM with the concerts beginning at 7:00 PM at all locations. Autograph sessions with the artists will take place in each store, following the concert. Artists are subject to change.

TOUR INFO
4/3/07 – Raleigh
Wal-Mart
2114 South Main Street
Wake Forest, NC 27587
Featuring: Buddy Jewell, Danielle Peck

4/4/07 – Charlotte
Wal-Mart
2420 Supercenter Drive NE
Kannapolis, NC 28083
Featuring: Buddy Jewell, Danielle Peck

4/5/07 – Atlanta
Wal-Mart
2510 Redmond Circle
Rome, GA 30165
Featuring: Jeff Bates, Danielle Peck

4/10/07 – Fayetteville
Wal-Mart
4208 Pleasant Crossing
Rogers, AR 72758
Featuring: Craig Morgan, Ray Scott

4/11/07 – Memphis
Wal-Mart
7950 Craft Goodman Road
Olive Branch, MS 38654
Featuring: Craig Morgan

4/12/07 – Birmingham
Wal-Mart
5335 Highway 280 South
Hoover, AL 35242
Featuring: Blue County, Eric Church

4/17/07 – Charleston
Wal-Mart
4920 Centre Pointe Drive
North Charleston, SC 29418
Featuring: Emerson Drive, Chris Young

4/18/07 – Jacksonville
Wal-Mart
1505 County Road 220
Orange Park, FL 32003
Featuring: Emerson Drive, Chris Young

4/19/07 – Orlando
Wal-Mart
2501 North Citrus Blvd.
Leesburg, FL 34748
Featuring: Eric Church, Chris Young

Rodney Atkins Featured in Upcoming GAC Series

It’s rare for a country music newcomer to get the spotlight all to himself for 30 minutes on national TV. But that’s exactly what Rodney Atkins will receive from Great American Country as part of GAC’s springtime series “Academy of Country Music and GAC Present…”  Atkins will be featured on March 26 at 8 p.m. ET., when he sits down with GAC’s Lorianne Crook to talk about his life, his career and his feelings after being nominated for one of country music’s top awards for newcomers.

Each week through April 28, GAC will devote an entire program to an individual artist or group nominated in the Top New categories in 2007 Academy of Country Music Awards: Top New Male Vocalist, Top New Female Vocalist and Top New Duo or Vocal Group. The winner in each category will be unveiled during the 42^nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards program on May 15.

“GAC has been a part of the careers of these artists since before they released their first videos. They have all been fan favorites on our Top 20 Country Countdown, and we are delighted to shine a bit more light on them at such a noteworthy moment in their careers,” said Sarah Trahern, senior vice president of programming at GAC.

ACM Award nominees to be featured on GAC include (all times 8 pm ET except as noted):

March 12                                 Little Big Town         Top New Duo or Vocal Group

March 19                                 Taylor Swift               Top New Female Vocalist

March 26                                 Rodney Atkins          Top New Male Vocalist

April 2                                      The Wreckers            Top New Duo or Vocal Group

April 9                                      Kellie Pickler             Top New Female Vocalist

April 16                                    Chris Young              Top New Male Vocalist

April 23                                    Miranda Lambert      Top New Female Vocalist

April 28 (3:30 p.m. ET)            Craig Morgan            Top New Male Vocalist

April 28 (4 p.m. ET)                 Heartland                   Top New Duo or Vocal Group

GAC will run the entire series back-to-back during a 4.5-hour Academy of Country Music and GAC Present… marathon on April 28 at Noon ET.

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Log in to GACTV.com for the latest program information and schedule.