Atkins was born in Knoxville,Tennessee on 28 March, 1969 and was put up for adoption by his then 19 year old mother. As an infant Atkins was afflicted with both respiratory infection and colic, which sabotaged the finalization of his adoption from a few of his potential parents. He was eventually taken in by Allan and Margaret Atkins and moved with them to Speedwell, Tennessee. He went to high school at Powell Valley High and after receiving a guitar for Christmas devoted the majority of his free time learning the instrument and competing in local festivals. Atkins went to college at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville,Tennessee. Whenever he was not studying he shot straight to Nashville to absorb the town’s rich music scene and showcase songs he had been developing.
After graduation Atkins moved to Nashville and signed to Curb Records in 1996. A year later he debuted his 1st single “In a Heartbeat” which entered the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks at No. 74. Atkins’ studio debut album was also expected to be released this year, but unsatisfied with the final result Atkins scratched the whole release and started working on a new project with various musicians and producers. This project also failed to be released and it was not until 2003 that Atkins resurfaced back into the Country music scene.
Atkins 1st studio album “Honesty” finally came out on 14 October 2003 through Curb Records. The record gradually caught on with the public and rose to no. 50 on the US Billboard Top Country Albums and no. 47 on the US Billboard Top Heatseekers. This release produced a total of five singles, four of which entered the US Country Charts and 1 “Honesty (Write Me a List)”, which peaked at no. 4.
In 2006 Atkins put out his 2nd album “If You’re Going Through Hell”. The title track launched his career into the mainstream and spent four weeks at no.1 on the Hot Country Songs Chart. Three more no.1 hit singles followed “Watching You”, “These Are My People”, and “Cleaning This Gun (Come On In Boy)”. This album certified Atkins as the 1st country star since Tim McGraw to have an album feature four no.1 singles. “If You’re Going Through Hell” also reached platinum status and won Atkins an Academy of Country Music Award” for “Top New Male Vocalist”.
Though Atkins next album “It’s America” received mixed reviews it was another commercial victory for the artist, debuting at no. 3 on the US Billboard Top Country Albums and no.15 on the US Billboard 200. Atkins 4th studio album “Take a Back Road” did even better hitting no. 3 on the US Billboard Top Country Albums and no. 8 on the US Billboard 200. The album’s title track topped the US Country charts and was recognized as the fastest rising single Atkins’ put out to date. “Take a Back Road” also generated a significant amount of critical praise with the publication Country Standard Time crediting it as "the type of wholesome country musician that you would enjoy hanging out with on a Sunday afternoon with your wife and kids." These words served as a haunting irony as it was revealed that later that year Atkins was arrested for attempting to smother his wife with a pillow in front of his 10 year old son. Atkins claimed that the altercation was purely verbal and was cleared of charges in 2012.
In 2013 Atkins was back in the game, releasing the popular single “Doin’ It Right”. The following year he issued the single “Eat Sleep Love You Repeat” and in 2015 he put out his “Greatest Hits” compilation.
Shawn Randolph Houser was born 18 December 1975 in Lake, Mississippi and took after his father, who was a working musician. In high school, Houser fronted a band called 10lb Biscuit, but in 2002 he moved to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue a songwriting career. His first successful song was a co-write with Jamey Johnson and Dallas Davidson for a Trace Adkins recorded song entitled “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.” The success of the song helped him shift his focus to doing his own performing in local venues around Nashville.
In 2008 Houser signed with Universal South Records and quickly released his first single, “Anything Goes,” in May that same year. The song achieved charting success, making it within the Top 40 of the Billboard Country Chart within the month of its release. The debut album of the same title, debuted the following November. At the 2009 CMA awards, he received two nominations: New Artist of the Year and Music Video of the Year for “Boots On.” He followed the success of “Anything Goes” with his sophomore album, “They Call Me Cadillac” released in 2009.
In 2011 Houser signed with Broken Bow Records’ Stoney Creek Division and released his third studio album, “How Country Feels” in 2012. The album was a big success, and the third single off the album, “Like A Cowboy” was released for 2014.
It was Fabulous...
Great crowd interaction and high energy.
Loved his vibe and would definitely see him again.His new song about his granddad's was so heartfelt and relatable. Also it was a treat when he played with Brad Paisley and Chris Lane.
With a handful of female country superstars dominating the forefront of the genre, it can be hard for any up and coming talent to break the industry.
That said, as country music enters the mainstream more and more, we are seeing more country singers appearing on TV talent shows, such as American Idol and X Factor USA. Whilst someone have questioned these shows as legitimate routes into carving a music career, they should be viewed as platforms to showcase talent that otherwise would be ignored. Country's leading female vocalist, Carrie Underwood, was herself a winner of American Idol.
Another talent that American Idol has produced, Lauren Alaina is a new country superstar taking the industry by storm. I was fortunate enough to see her live on a trip to Nashville earlier this year, the home of country music, and was taken by surprise by how polished and mature the 19-year-olds performance was. She sang her way through a short set of sure to be hit songs including first single "Like My Mother Does", the perfect, emotional country song.
At just 19, Lauren Alaina has clearly got the talent to spend many more years making music and I'm sure she will be a credit to the country genre. Her live performance was truly exceptional for someone so young and so new to the industry and was a testament to just how far she will go.
A classic example of a great country show! Just the kind of vibe you look for at a summer concert.
Rodney Atkins isn’t new to the country atmosphere – he’s been recording music under the same label as Tim McGraw since 1996 and has lived in Tennessee all his life. While his music has been getting more and more popular with each album he releases, he has clearly stuck to his roots and plays in front of thousands with the same true country passion he might have at a cornfield party. Between inviting fans on stage and enjoying his beer, he hasn’t lost a step in his cool country ways. You really get the sense Atkins is just happy to be part of the party at his show. And it definitely is a party. There’s no stopping the fun, easy atmosphere, where your neighbor is a friend just excited to sing along with you. The rain started coming at his outdoor show, and rather than leave or find cover, the audience happily chanted along to his popular “Take a Back Road” and went for another beer.
This show is full of true American country spirit and some of the most recognizable country songs out today – the perfect way to unwind on a summer night.
Randy Houser is the American country music artist who is signed to Universal South Records. He has received critical acclaim and has earned himself a lot of chart success throughout his successful career. “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” is the fantastic opener from this country sensei. Houser is onstage complete with is hollow body Gretsch electric guitar. He is one of those artists who just knows how to write a hit, having penned many choruses that people seem to know all the words to. It’s a fantastic moment when it happens to, with this audience knowing every word to these songs. It truly is a spectacle to be a part of. “Goodnight Kiss” is a fantastic stripped back moment between the audience and the artist where they light up the whole room with a mixture of mobile phones and lighters. He brings up the tone and livens the pace with “Like a Cowboy”, which sees the whole crowd jumping and singing along to this track. This country music singer is truly doing well for himself.