Country music fans in Tampa Bay have a special reason to celebrate this weekend as Rodney Atkins headlines the Tampa Bay Barbecue Festival. While Atkins is a Tennessee native, his career was significantly shaped by Phil Gernhard, a music executive with deep roots in the Tampa Bay area.

A Mentor from Tampa Bay

Phil Gernhard, who grew up in Sarasota and opened his first office in St. Petersburg, played a pivotal role in Atkins’ career. Known for discovering and producing hits for artists like Lobo and the Bellamy Brothers, Gernhard was a seasoned music executive at Curb Records in Nashville by the 2000s. He had previously contributed to Tim McGraw’s success before turning his attention to Atkins.

Atkins’ initial album with Curb was not successful, but Gernhard saw potential and offered crucial advice. He encouraged Atkins to find his own voice, produce his own records, and embrace a more relatable image. This mentorship was transformative for Atkins, who described Gernhard as the biggest music mentor he ever had.

Chart-Topping Hits

Under Gernhard’s guidance, Atkins recorded “If You’re Going Through Hell,” a song that became his first chart-topper. Gernhard’s unconventional suggestion to add bagpipes gave the song a unique feel that resonated with audiences. This success was followed by other hits like “Watching You” and “These Are My People.”

Despite some reservations from the label, Gernhard pushed for the release of “Cleaning This Gun (Come on in Boy),” which also reached No. 1. Tragically, shortly after this success, Gernhard passed away, leaving a lasting impact on Atkins and the music industry.

As Atkins takes the stage at the Tampa Bay Barbecue Festival, his performance will be a tribute to the local influence that helped shape his career.

Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.