Rodney Atkins is slated to take center stage for a live country music concert on Wednesday, Aug. 31, at the 2011 Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Ill.

“We are excited to have Rodney Atkins performing at the 2011 Farm Progress Show to conclude the show’s second day,” states Don Tourte, vice president, shows and events, at Farm Progress Companies, St. Charles, Ill. “Rodney has established himself as one of country music’s biggest talents, and his performance marks another milestone for the show. The concert, which we are presenting in conjunction with Richland Community College, is sure to bring greater enthusiasm to the event and attract an even larger crowd this year.”

The 58th annual Farm Progress Show will be held Aug. 30, 31 and Sept. 1 at its permanent biennial location in Decatur, Ill. The show is recognized as the nation’s largest outdoor farm show, featuring the most extensive state-of-the-art information and technology available for today’s agricultural producers. The country’s top agribusinesses, plus many regional and local manufacturers and suppliers, are exhibitors.

The concert, which is sponsored by Massey Ferguson, follows the close of the second show day; concert gates open at 5 p.m. A Decatur-area band, to be announced at a later date, opens the concert prior to Atkins’ scheduled 6:30 p.m. performance. The concert will be held at Richland Community College, just south of the Farm Progress Show exhibit field.

“As the ‘official tractor’ of Rodney Atkins for 2011, Massey Ferguson is proud to sponsor his performance at the 2011 Farm Progress Show,” explains Meghann McNally, brand marketing manager for Massey Ferguson. “Growing up in a small town in east Tennessee, Rodney understands what it means to take pride in a long day’s work on the farm. That deep connection with rural America really comes through in his music, and I couldn’t think of a more appropriate venue for this concert than the Farm Progress Show.”

Atkins has collaborated with some of country music’s biggest stars during his career. He has toured with Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Martina McBride and ZZ Top. He has charted five No. 1 hits, including “Watching You,” “These Are My People,” and “It’s America.” Atkins’ most recent single, “Take a Back Road,” released just four weeks ago, is already his fastest chart-climbing single ever. Since its premier, the song has received nearly 50,000 downloads. In 2006, Atkins received the Academy of Country Music’s Top New Male Vocalist Award. His music has been nominated for numerous other awards by the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.

Ticket Information
Ticket prices are $15 in advance and $25 at the gate. Tickets may be ordered online at eTix.com. All tickets are general admission and lawn seating. Concert admission is separate from show admission. The public is welcome. There are no ticket refunds or exchanges. Additional show and concert information is available at www.FarmProgressShow.com.

General Farm Progress Show information
Farmers and ranchers from across North America and around the world visit the Farm Progress Show each year to see agriculture’s latest product introductions, meet face-to-face with agribusiness professionals and gain hands-on knowledge.

The 2011 Farm Progress Show will be held in northeast Decatur, Ill., south of I-72 and east of Richland Community College. The show exhibit field is open to visitors Aug. 30 – Sept. 1, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and until 4 p.m. Thursday. Show admission at the gate is $12 for adults, $8 for students ages 13 to 17. Children under 12 are admitted at no charge. Concert admission is not included in show admission ticket. The public is welcome. Additional show and concert information is available at www.FarmProgressShow.com.