If you’ve listened to country music in the last ten years you’ve probably heard of Rodney Atkins. If not, Spinnaker has you covered before Osprey Productions’ Welcome to the Nest Festival.

Atkins has carved out a stable career among country’s second-tier stars with his signature baseball cap and all-American charm.

From 1997-2002 Atkins struggled to find a footing in the uber-competitive country music industry. The Knoxville, Tenn. native cracked the charts with a top-5 hit: “Honest (Write me a list).”

But it wasn’t until “If You’re Going Through Hell” (2006) that Atkins gained major plaudits.

“Going Through Hell” dominated country music airplay for the next two years. The album went to the top of the country charts and produced four No.1 hits before picking up six nominations at the Academy of Country Music awards. Since then, two songs from his recent albums went No.1 as well: “It’s America” and “Take a Back Road.”

His songs cover a broad range of topics: depression (“If You’re Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)”), dads concerned with their kids dating (“Cleaning This Gun (Come On In Boy)”), patriotism (“It’s America”), and setting a good parental example (“Watching You”).

Before you head out to Coxwell Amphitheater, here’s a Spotify playlist of some the highlights of his work.

If you want to see a list of what you can and can’t bring check out OP’s facebook page. Students must have their Osprey1Card to enter. UNF student Sam Herb opens at 5 p.m with Atkins taking the stage at 8 p.m.

—

For more information or news tips, or if you see an error in this story or have any compliments or concerns, contact editor@unfspinnaker.com.