Rodney Atkins photo courtesy of Curb Records
December 19, 2006 — Rodney Atkins went back to where it all started last week with "A Christmas With Rodney Atkins" concert benefiting Holston United Methodist Children's Home in Greenville, Tenn. Rodney was born in Knoxville and, at birth, placed with Holston Home, where he was given up for adoption three different times during his first year of life.
When Rodney first arrived at Holston Home, Charles Hutchins, then the executive director, initially placed him with two different families that each returned the infant, saying he was too sickly to care for. Hutchins then contacted the Atkins family, who took him in and attended to his health problems. Rodney was raised by them in Cumberland Gap, Tenn.
In 2004, Hutchins found Rodney backstage at a local fair, and in their first reunion in more than 20 years, told Rodney, "I am the man who placed you in your mama's arms many years ago. You are a big handsome man now."
At the concert, Rodney said, "I was adopted from here and I know how important a sense of family is, especially during the holidays. It's great to have the opportunity to come back and help bring awareness to Holston Home."
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