Regular readers of this blog will know that I am a fan of country music. I love country artists Rodney Atkins. His songs are about real people and real life and things I can relate to. His song “If You’re Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Knows You’re There) resonated with me because when it came out I was going through a horrible time with Sammy and the song talks about how you should keep on going through the bad times and come out the other side of them. One of the lines in the song is one that so many of us can relate to

“….things go from bad to worse you’d think they can’t get worse than that, and then they do.”

I was glad to hear that he had been named National Adoption Celebrity Spokesperson for the National Council for Adoption.

His story is both amazing and ordinary at the same time. Rodney was adopted as an infant, but the first two sets of parents who took him home returned him within a few days of placement because he was sick. The third set of parents kept him and raised him.

He had a pretty ordinary life as just a regular kid. When he was in college and pursuing a degree in psychology, he had to get clinical time doing counseling. He was in Memphis working with gang kids and kids who had been abused and neglected. He used his guitar and music to reach the kids.
Most would say that Rodney’s career and life have been successful. His first album has yielded four number one songs, and he was named the 2006 Top New Male Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music.


Now Rodney will head to Virginia to present awards at the National Council for Adoption award ceremony on April 16, 2008. He will be performing as well. I wish I lived closer to Virginia. Tickets are only $75 and can be purchased here.

Keep an eye on Rodney, his career and what he does for adoption. I think there are great things in the future.

Great American Country (GAC) article

Rodney Atkins website

If You’re Going Through Hell lyrics

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