As summer approaches, fun outdoor events in Bell County begin to approach as well. The Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival, the Levitt AMP Your City Music Series in Middlesboro and of course, the Bell County Fair are all on their way.

The Bell County Fair Board recently announced the musical performer for this year’s event is chart-topping country star Rodney Atkins.

According to his official website, Atkins, a Claiborne County, Tennessee, native, has been in the industry for 20 years and shows no signs of slowing down. To date, he has four studio released full length albums, six No. 1 hit singles and 10 million units sold.

One of the appeals of Atkins’ music is his authentic outlook.

He was quoted as saying “I love the grit. I love getting sawdust on me. I love getting under the hood and getting grease all over; working hard, until your knuckles are busted.”

Atkins is currently working on a album and is set to take the stage at the Bell County Fair on June 22.

“Authenticity is everything to me,” says Atkins, who created much of the album from his own home studio in the hills of Nashville. “It’s being honest, being real. Not being afraid to reveal that piece of you. It’s about being willing to put it out there.”

There will be no shortage of things to do once summer is in full swing in Bell County.