Rodney Atkins flew to Washington, D.C. last week for a special performance in the White House East Room in honor of National Adoption Month.
In his role as spokesman for the National Adoption Council, Rodney was invited to perform for President Bush, the First Lady, several members of Congress and a room full of adopted children and their families. Joined by his wife Tammy, son Elijah and parents Allan and Margaret, Rodney performed for the invitation-only crowd and shared his own story of adoption. The President enjoyed two of Rodney's hits and asked for a third. During his father's performance of If You're Going Through Hell, Elijah climbed up in the Commander-in-Chief's lap.
Before the show Rodney and his family were treated to a tour of the inner workings of the White House, including the President's private movie theater, flower room, kitchen and chocolate room, where they saw a white chocolate replica of the White House in progress. At lunch the kitchen staff treated Elijah to a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with no crusts, cut in triangles just the way he likes it. Rodney was also able to make friends with Presidential pups Miss Beazley and Barney, but the highlight of the tour was the President's bowling alley, where father and son enjoyed a few throws of the first bowling ball.
It was an unbelievable experience. President Bush and his wife Laura made me and my family feel at home, Rodney said. What a thrill to see all the history that surrounded us. My Dad kept nudging me in arm and saying, Can you believe this? Ain't this something. I was so honored to be there.