Country artist Rodney Atkins grew up with a valuable lesson he wishes the younger generation would return to.
During an interview with Fox News Digital, Atkins — who just released his new album “True South” — advised young people to stay true to themselves and tap back into the values he often sings about.
“I’m singing about friends, family and the good Lord, keeping those things in check,” he began. “And not chase something that just because you see somebody else doing it, you know, falling prey to all the filters and the AI and the not real things.”
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Atkins emphasized that kids should find things that really matter to them and “keep that in check.”
Speaking of his newly released album, the singer explained that the inspiration for it was the same advice he would give the next generation.
WATCH: RODNEY ATKINS WARNS YOUNGER GENERATION AGAINST ‘CHASING’ TRENDS AND LOSING SIGHT OF WHAT MATTERS
“‘True South’ is friends, family and the good Lord,” he began. “That’s what I’m singing about. It’s not tricky. It’s not following trends. It’s just trying to sing about the things that matter the most to me and, I think, most people.”
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“The Years Are Short” singer told Fox News Digital one of the major themes of his latest album is authenticity. He said the rise of Artificial Intelligence and social media has left people craving something real.
“I think it’s hard to believe, with social media, with all the filters and the AI everywhere. There’s a place for all that, but I just think that having something real, you can’t replace real, authentic anything,” he began. “And I think people just appreciate that.”
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Atkins’ new album, “True South,” was three decades in the making as every song tells a piece of his story, where he’s been, what he’s learned, what he believes, and the people who’ve helped shape him along the way.
WATCH: COUNTRY SINGER RODNEY ATKINS EXPLAINS INSPIRATION FOR LATEST ALBUM ‘TRUE SOUTH’
“You know, ‘True South,’ it’s not necessarily about… geography. We’re all south of somewhere. Really, it’s about the things that made me, me. The things that I value, that I grew up with, that, you know, you still hang on to. It’s not about going back in time, but about those things that you value and hanging on to that and then what I’m trying to raise my kid, those kind of values… I’ve got three sons… you know I’m not raising babies. I’m trying to raise young men.”
Atkins’ album features the single “The Years Are Short,” and he said there are moments “all the time” with his kids that remind him just how fast life is moving.
“You know, marking their height on the pantry door. And then you turn around, and they’re practically wearing your shoes, or they’re, you know, looking you in the eyes, asking for the car keys. It’s just, it goes by so fast.”
The new album and single are now available. For more info, visit: https://www.curb.com/.
