It was 1996 when he signed with his record company in Nashville the same year that Alan Jackson released his greatest hits -- Rodney Atkins, according to his website.

Rodney Atkins grew up in eastern Tennessee along the Kentucky border. While growing up it was all about fishing and music. Atkins' first guitar was a gift from a girlfriend. After their breakup, he began writing songs.

While in college, he played frat parties and clubs, making his way to Nashville.

His first album, Honesty, was released in 2003. Three years later, his sophomore album, If You're Goin' Thru Hell, earned him four No. 1s, including the title song, "Watching You," "Cleaning This Gun," and "These Are My People."

He was nominated for the Horizon Award and New Artist of the Year from the CMAs.
Watch the 2015 CMAs on Wednesday, Nov. 4, on ABC at 7PM.

From the ACMs, Rodney won Top New Male Vocalist and nominated for Song of the Year in 2006. Plus in 2007, he was nominated for Album of the Year (Producer/Artist), Song of the Year (Writer/Artist), Top Male Vocalist and Video of the Year/Artist.

In 2009, he released the album It's America, reaching No. 1 as a single and Top 5 on the charts with "Farmer's Daughter." In 2011, Take A Back Road made its way to No. 1 on the charts.

Now at the 20-year milestone, Rodney Atkins releases a Greatest Hit album.

Rodney Atkins writes songs, tours and volunteers. He also visits the place that he was adopted from -- Holston Methodist Home for Children in Tennessee.

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