Atkins celebrates six of the past decade’s most-played songs and more than 10 million units sold
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Known for his ability to deliver “focused, small town lessons riding atop catchy choruses and everyman emotion” (Taste of Country), country music hit-maker Rodney Atkins is celebrating a new milestone this week for earning the No. 1 spot on Country Aircheck’s “Top 100 Songs of Our Decade” with his Platinum-certified 2006 hit, “Watching You.” Atkins, who is currently in the studio recording new music expected in early 2017, landed a total of six songs on the chart including “Watching You,” “If You’re Going Through Hell (Before The Devil Even Knows),” “Take A Back Road,” “These Are My People,” “Cleaning This Gun (Come On In Boy)” and “Farmer’s Daughter” and he is the second-most-played solo male artist to appear on the chart. In addition to the Aircheck honors, Atkins recently surpassed 10 million units sold during his notable career. He received plaques commemorating each achievement during a special presentation in Nashville last week.
“There’s just no other word to really describe this moment than ‘blessed,” said Atkins. “To have a moment like this in my career, it’s the product of having a great team and having so many people believing in me and encouraging me and never quitting. And hopefully this is just the beginning!”
“It’s been a fun journey,” added Benson Curb, vice president of sales and revenue for Atkins’ longtime label home, Curb Records. “I remember taking Rodney out on the road when ‘In A Heartbeat’ was just making waves early on in his career. When you can achieve 10 million units in sales, it’s a significant accomplishment and shows just how popular he is and how successful he’s been, and he’s done it the right way.”
Country Aircheck Publisher and CEO Lon Helton also noted the enduring impact of Atkins’ music, saying: “What strikes me as being so great about this — celebrating 10 million units sold and six of the most-played songs on country radio at the same event — is that this is the way it’s supposed to happen. Amazing airplay is supposed to generate amazing sales, and it’s just a wonderful thing when it actually works that way. It shows what an amazing accomplishment it is for Rodney not just to have had the No. 1 song in the decade of Country Aircheck, but to have had six in the top 54, that’s just stunning.”
All six songs are featured on Atkins’ most recent release, Rodney Atkins – Greatest Hits, and he is currently working on his fifth studio album for Curb Records. For more information and the latest updates, visit www.rodneyatkins.com or follow on Twitter @RodneyAtkins and www.Facebook.com/RodneyAtkins.