Page 34 - ION Indie Magazine MarchApril 2021

‘WHO I AM’

Originally from East Peoria, Illinois, Tim Atwood began his music career playing
gospel music at the age of thirteen for The Harris Family. It wasn’t long before Tim
decided music was his calling and headed to Music City USA. It was there when he
started touring with country legends Mel Street, Lynn Anderson, and Jim Ed Brown,
before taking a position playing piano as a staff musician at the Grand Ole Opry. All
told, Tim played over 8,500 Grand Ole Opry performances and has performed
alongside country music hit makers George Jones, Dolly Parton, The Oak Ridge
Boys, and Willie Nelson, just to name a few. He is also a member of the world-
famous Wheeling Jamboree.

In recent years, Tim has stepped into the spotlight at center stage and has become
known as an "Entertainer’s Entertainer,” one of the highest compliments you can
receive in the music industry.

Tim's television appearances include The Hallmark Channel’s Home and Family
Show, Fox News, RFD-TV’s Larry’s Country Diner, and the television series
Country's Family Reunion along with The Dailey and Vincent Show, Opry Live,
Newsmax, and Hee Haw.

Just recently, Tim also performed on the prestigious Huckabee Show. He performed
his new single, “You First,” in honor of all Gold Star Families; families who have lost
a loved one while in service to this country. During the show, Tim made a special
presentation of a memorial bracelet to the family of fallen Air Force hero, Captain
William D. Grimm. What makes this bracelet so special is the fact that, unbeknownst
to the family, this bracelet was worn without fail, every day for the past 30 years.

After a concert in 2016, Air Force veteran Stacy Britton was so moved by Tim's
performance of the patriotic anthem “I’ll Stand Up And Say So” that she removed
Grimm’s memorial bracelet from her wrist and gave it to him, explaining that she had
worn it daily for 26 years. She felt in her heart that it was time for Tim to carry the
torch for this American hero. Tim promised Britton that he would honor Grimm’s
memory and legacy during every show he performed, a commitment he has kept for
the past four years. In all that time Tim never removed the bracelet from his wrist.
Upon discovering that Captain Grimm was an alumnus of Kansas State University,
a phone call was placed, and the office of KSU’s Veteran Affairs connected Tim with
the Grimm family. The Huckabee show stepped in and saw to it that he and the
Grimm family could meet in person. Tim expresses, “Having this bracelet around my
wrist has reminded me to be a better servant to our country and all it stands for. This
wasn't about left or right politics. It was about honoring those who pay the ultimate
sacrifice and their families. We all bleed red, and Gov. Huckabee and his staff
understand that. It was a privilege to honor the Grimm family on this show."

Tim has racked up some serious awards for his efforts as well: Entertainer of the
Year by the Reunion of Professional Entertainers and Male Vocalist of the Year by
the Academy of Western Artists. He also received the 2017 R.O.P.E. award for
Musician of the Year and was named by the Genuine Country Music Association as
their 2017 Fan Favorite. In 2018, Tim was inducted into the ALM Musician’s Hall of
Fame. Recently he has picked up a Telly Award win for 2020 Social Media Event of
the Year and is the 2021 inductee into the North American Country Music Hall of
Fame.