Rodney Atkins Enjoying Every Minute of Success

10/16/2007 Stephen L. Betts Rodney Atkins grew up a stone's throw from Nashville, in Knoxville, Tenn. Just over a year ago, he landed his first No. 1 hit with “If You're Going Through Hell (Before The Devil Even Knows),” which was named No. 1 country song of the year in 2006 by Billboard magazine. With the successful follow-up singles, “Watching You,” and “These Are My People,” (both of which also reached No. 1) Rodney tells the Edmonton Journal he’s enjoying every minute of this success. "I remember being a kid and going to see an Alabama show, being part of an audience of 20,000 people and thinking it would be so cool to be up there doing that," says Rodney. Still, he admits having that dream didn’t quite prepare him for his win as ACM Top New Male Vocalist in 2006. "It was so surreal when my name was announced as the winner,” he says. “I don't remember walking up to the stage. I do remember looking out at my wife and thinking that it gave credibility to all the people who had believed in me." He also believes in giving back to the community. Recently named the National Spokesperson for Adoption in the U.S., Rodney is looking forward to hooking up with Charlie Daniels for this year’s Christmas for Kids concerts.