Rodney Atkins photo courtesy of Curb Nashville.
May 15, 2009 — Rodney Atkins’ current hit, "It’s America," puts a positive spin on life in the U.S. at a time when the economy is making it hard on people from coast to coast. On the surface, it would appear to be poor timing, but as it turns out, it represents Rodney’s attitude about the current downturn almost perfectly.
"I play all over the country, and a lot of folks are having a tough time," he told The Detroit Free Press. "Whether you're selling cars or hammers or tickets to a show, the economy affects all of us. It sounds kind of trite, but no matter what state we're in, we are united and we're in this together."
And that’s part of the reason Rodney’s singing about Bruce Springsteen, lemonade and Chevrolets. He’s overcome some odds in his own life, and he figures that Americans will ultimately weather the current slump and come back as strong as ever.
"I'm not making light of the trials people are going through," he said. "But sometimes in life, without a test, there's no testimony. All these sayings come to mind: What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. It's simple stuff. People have said it forever. But it really is true."
Rodney visits ailing Detroit to headline the first of three free concerts at the Downtown Hoedown Friday. Among the others who’ll be taking stages in the Motor City are Phil Vassar, Willie Nelson, Jessica Harp, Jack Ingram, Lee Ann Womack and the Zac Brown Band.
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