Grand Ole Opry Veteran Tim Atwood Celebrates New Album with Picnic and Concert, 8/14

Veteran Grand Ole Opry pianist Tim Atwood is inviting a few hundred of his closest friends and fans to an old-fashioned "dinner on the grounds" in Hendersonville, Tennessee, on Sunday, August 14. The occasion is the release of "That Old Time Religion" (i2iRecords), Atwood's second album, but first gospel project since leaving the Opry's house band in 2014, after 38 years.

"I spent most of my life playing piano for country music's elite on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, but I grew up playing gospel music in little country churches," said Atwood, who was named Instrumentalist of the Year by the Academy of Western Artists (AWA) in 2016. "I know what talent I have is a gift from God. 'That Old Time Religion' is my gift back to God."

"That Old Time Religion" includes 13 tracks of long-time gospel favorites, each featuring Atwood on piano and lead vocals with guest appearances by Country Music Hall of Famer Bobby Bare, Grammy-winner Jeannie Seely, Jan Howard, TG Sheppard, Kelly Lang and The Tennessee River Boys. Atwood also allows the musicians to shine on the album, with Musicians Hall of Fame member Jimmy Capps and two members of the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, Tommy White and Doug Jernigan.

"This music takes me back to a little Methodist church in Pennsylvania where I grew up," said Seely, who performs on the album's title track. "This music is real. The love we have for God and each other is real. That's what it's all about."

Vocal powerhouse Mandy Barnett joins Atwood on the classic song "Let's All Go Down to the River," which is being released to inspirational country radio as a single this month.

"I've known Tim for many years and have always loved and respected him," Barnett said. "When he asked me to do a duet on 'Let's All Go Down to The River,' I immediately said yes. This album is a must-have for country and gospel fans alike."

Barnett met Atwood when she was 12 and he invited the burgeoning country singer to share the stage with him. She subsequently gained fame as a teenager, playing the title role in the acclaimed stage production "Always...Patsy Cline" at the Ryman Auditorium before going on to record her own albums. Years later, Barnett and Atwood rekindled their friendship at the Grand Ole Opry, where Atwood accompanied a virtual "who's who" in country music, including Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Dolly Parton, Little Jimmy Dickens, Carrie Underwood, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson and many more

Tim Atwood's "That Old Time Religion" album release dinner-on-the-grounds and concert will take place on Sunday, August 14, from noon until 3:30 p.m. at the Rockland Recreation Area, 5 Power Plant Road, Hendersonville, Tennessee 37075. (Follow the signs to Shelter 2A.) The lunch menu will include fried chicken and covered dishes. Lunch will be served at 1:15, to be followed by a concert at 2:00. Admission is free. Guests are encouraged to bring a covered dish to share, but it is not required.

Tim Atwood is represented by Monarch Talent Management (MTM) in Nashville. More information is available at www.mtmagency.net. "That Old Time Religion" is available at www.TimAtwood.com and on CD Baby.

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