Rodney Atkins Vs. Bill Maher On The Tonight Show

Net Music Countdown ^ | 2/23/7 | Neil Haislop

[SmithL]

NASHVILLE, TN Friday Feb.23.2007 /netmusiccountdown.com/ -- Rodney Atkins got the chance to defend country music last night on The Tonight Show when talk show host Bill Maher told Jay Leno "The only use I have for country music is to make fun of it."

Atkins response? To have the last word by closing the nationally televised show with his multiple week Number One single "Watching You."

"I take it as an honor to be the guy representing country music last night," says Atkins. "I was proud to sing a song about family values, my life and what this format is all about. This guy was purposely bashing Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Martina McBride, Dolly Parton and all the greats artists that influenced my life's direction. I believe that country music is representative of real people and a real way of life. I don't take that lightly. Everyone does have the freedom of speech, but they should sometimes think before they actually exercise that right."

Despite the band and crews' strong desires to make more of a "direct point" to Maher, they put their energy into a great performance. After the show, Leno apologized, thanked Rodney for coming and invited him back saying "You are a class act." In addition to The Tonight Show, Rodney made his second appearance in less than five months on The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson. His performance of "Watching You" will air this Friday, February 23. Rodney Atkins is the first male artist in BDS history with back to back four week number one singles.

More on Rodney Atkins

[SmithL]

There is a much better story in the Tennessean, but since it's a Gannett paper, we can't even excerpt. However, it's worth the read: Rodney Atkins insulted by Bill Maher's country music put-down.

[JerseyJohn61]

Question: How many Gulf Stream Jet flights will Al Gore
have to refrain from to save up enough "Carbon Credits"
to account for all of Bill Maher's useless hot air???....JJ61

[Emmett McCarthy]

This guy sounds very much like a class act. Just luck for Bill Maher it wasn't Toby Keith coming on who might have followed through with "We'll put a boot up your ass, It's the American Way"

[weegee]

"I take it as an honor to be the guy representing country music last night," says Atkins. "I was proud to sing a song about family values, my life and what this format is all about. This guy was purposely bashing Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Martina McBride, Dolly Parton and all the greats artists that influenced my life's direction

Does this mean that Bill Maher also insulted the Dixie Chicks and Steve Earle or are they "OK" in his book because they insult America (and the fat one's comment, "I don't see why you even need to be patriotic to live here" was an insult to her country).

[weegee]

After the show, Leno apologized, thanked Rodney for coming and invited him back saying "You are a class act."

Jay was a good natured jerk who giggled along to Maher's rant. He should've apologized on camera for what Maher said if he felt this way.