February 11, 2015--Rodney Atkins, He's Mine

Artist:  Rodney Atkins
Song:  He's Mine
Album:  Take A Backroad

Okay, so you've probably heard of Rodney Atkins.  If you haven't then you've heard him without realizing it.  He's been accused of sounding too much like country music artist Tim McGraw. Rodney actually signed his first record deal back in 1996 to Curb Records (the same year and company that LeAnn Rimes signed to when she was no more than 14).

Rodney was adopted by Allan and Margaret Atkins after he'd been back an forth with a couple of different families as an infant.  He'd had a severe respiratory infection and the adoptive parents couldn't handle it so they brought him back.  Margaret Atkins had recently undergone a surgery.  The couple had lost a newborn a year prior to adopting Rodney.

He began playing guitar in high school and became quite well known around parts of Tennessee. He later attended Tennessee Technical Institute where he began writing songs.  Now, this is another pop country artist that I'm sharing with you all.  I tend to like Rodney's songs.  "Going Through Hell", "Watching You", and "Cleanin' This Gun" are my favorites.

The above song is one that reminds my mom of my younger brother (and for good reason).  He's pictured behind the lyrics on today's graphic.

Although Rodney signed to the record label in 1996 and spent two years working on a record, it was never released as Atkins wasn't pleased with the work.  He spent much more time honing his skills and sound as well as his writing.

Once Atkins began writing songs about his life, he began seeing huge success.  I guess that goes to show you that if you write songs that are real to you then your audience will connect to that and relate. Of course, writing your own songs helps.

Enjoy!

--kk