Success has been a long time coming for fresh-faced Rodney Atkins, the Nashville singer who appeared from under the brim of a worn-in baseball cap with two #1’s last year: “If You’re Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)” and “Watching You.” More than anything else he has released over his decade-long career, those singles placed both boots firmly on the bedrock of flag, faith, and family, appealing to the genre’s wholesome base, who might feel like raising hell with Toby Keith on Saturday night — but who also need someone to keep them company on Sunday morning.
It’s refreshing that Atkins’ wholesome, workaday appeal is free of the “aw, shucks” affectation that spoils so much in his genre — possibly the benefit of years of supporting his career and family by delivering furniture and repossessing cars.
This article appears in Feb 7-13, 2007.