Rodney Atkins touched by boy’s tragic story
By ROB NAY, SUN MEDIA
With a heartfelt song, a country music star boosted the spirits of a young Winnipeg boy whose father was stabbed to death earlier this year.
Prior to opening for Brad Paisley at a concert at MTS Centre on Friday night, Rodney Atkins met with the family of John Lane, a 25-year-old single parent killed last March.
Besides signing autographs and taking pictures, Atkins dedicated Lane’s favorite song to the slain man’s four-year-old son, Jordan, during the concert.
“It was just an incredible night for this family,” said Cheryl Friesen, a close family friend who attended the show.
Jordan’s grandmother, Pam Lane, said he loved the concert.
“He was standing on his chair, just dancing,” said Pam.
In March, John Lane was fatally stabbed in his Crestview apartment on March 17. Erik Ryan Cassan, 21, a stranger to Lane who had been invited to the apartment by someone else, was charged with second-degree murder.
Before Friday’s performance, Friesen had contacted Atkins’ fan club and also called a local radio station while the country star was being interviewed to explain how important his music was to Lane and his son.
The U.S. recording artist took an interest and the family received an invitation to a meet-and-greet as well as four VIP tickets to the show.
During his set, Atkins dedicated his tune Watching You — a song about a father and young son — to Jordan.
Friesen said Jordan was waving at Atkins the whole time, adding the tune was also played at Lane’s funeral.
After the song, audience members also showed support.
“I had people coming up in the audience that were just hugging Jordan,” said Pam.
PORCELAIN ANGEL
Prior to the concert, Jordan picked a gift to present Atkins — a porcelain angel that had belonged to his father. The singer seemed touched by the gesture, said Friesen, and brought the angel onstage. Before Lane’s death, he had been raising Jordan on his own.
“John and him were joined at the hip. John was an amazing dad,” said Pam, adding Jordan misses his father.
“He talks about John all the time. Sometimes he walks around in his dad’s clothes,” said Pam.
Since John Lane’s death, Pam and her husband, Gerald Lane, have been raising Jordan and the family has also set up a trust fund for him at the TD Canada Trust at 3260 Portage Ave.
At Friday’s concert, Atkins also took down the family’s contact information to send something for Jordan.
“He was just incredible,” Friesen said of the country star.
Want some rare Rodney Atkins autographed memorabilia? Want to help out a great charity at the same time? Then check out these two auctions that Rodney’s drummer Kevin Rapillo has up on Ebay to help raise money in support of Trey Gray’s Tee off for A Cure. Some of you may know Trey as Brooks & Dunn’s drummer, but he’s also an advocate for raising awareness and funds for Huntington’s Disease Society of America.
