Sept. 2, 2009 — "It ain’t always pretty/But it’s real." That statement about small-town life from Rodney Atkins’ "These Are My People" hit home for Rodney, and he’s going back home to the town where he went to college — Cookeville, Tenn. — for These Are My People, This Is My Town, a charity event he hopes to replicate in years to come.

Rodney and Phil Vassar are set to play the Hooper Eblen Center Oct. 8, with proceeds benefiting Tennessee Tech University Athletics and the Mustard Seed Ranch, a faith-based children’s agency.

"I'm grateful to the people of the Upper Cumberland and am honored to be able to give back," Rodney says. "We've had successful events in the past, but I look forward to giving students and supporters of these organizations a really fun, high-energy show. Everything we raise will go back to help kids at TTU and Mustard Seed Ranch, and it gives me great pleasure to be part of it."

Adopted as a kid in East Tennessee, Rodney is a long way from home this week. He plays the Twin Falls County Fair in Idaho on Wednesday, the Oregon State Fair on Thursday and the Alaska State Fair on Saturday.

Read the article on GAC.com!