Tim Atwood’s journey in country music is a testament to dedication, talent, and the enduring power of traditional country sound. Hailing from East Peoria, Illinois, Tim’s musical journey began at just thirteen years old, playing gospel music with The Harris Family. It wasn’t long before the pull of the music world led him to Nashville, where his career truly took off.
Once in Music City, Tim quickly found himself in the company of country legends. He toured with Mel Street, Lynn Anderson, and Jim Ed Brown, soaking up the rich traditions of country music. But it was at the Grand Ole Opry where Tim truly found his place, performing over 8,500 times and becoming a fixture in the heart of country music.
For years, Tim Atwood was the man behind the music, a piano virtuoso who played for Grammy winners and CMA “Entertainers of the Year.” However, his transition from the background to center stage has been nothing short of spectacular. Now, Tim is known not just as a musician, but as an entertainer’s entertainer—a title that speaks volumes in the music industry.
Recent television appearances on Hallmark’s Home & Family show, Fox News, and RFD-TV’s Larry’s Country Diner, along with the series Country Family Reunion: Another Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting, have introduced a new audience to Tim’s talents. But those who have followed his career already know what the rest of the world is just discovering: Tim Atwood has a voice, and it’s one that can make you laugh, clap, and cry—all in one performance.
Jeannie Seely, a Grammy winner and Grand Ole Opry legend herself, perhaps said it best: “Tim Atwood will have his audience laughing at one of his many road stories… Then he’ll fire that audience up like only he can—bopping his head and raking his foot across those keys— the audience clapping their hands and singing along, and just like that, he belts out a poignant ballad that puts a lump in their throats and a tear in their eyes. Tim Atwood is an entertainer!”
The accolades Tim has received are a testament to his talents. He has been recognized as Entertainer of the Year by the Reunion of Professional Entertainers and Male Vocalist of the Year by the Academy of Western Artists. He took home the 2017 R.O.P.E. award for Musician of the Year and was named Fan Favorite by the Genuine Country Music Association that same year. In June 2018, Tim’s contributions to country music were solidified with his induction into the ALM Musician’s Hall of Fame.
Tim’s return to the Grand Ole Opry stage as an artist, following the success of his hit single “Let’s All Go Down To The River,” marked a significant milestone in his career. “From all those years backing country music’s elite on the Opry stage to walking on the Opry stage as an entertainer myself, felt wonderfully strange. Yet it felt so right,” Tim reflected. “I was back home.”
His third album, Livin’ The Dream, encapsulates where Tim is today—both in life and music. The album is a perfect blend of traditional country and fresh takes on classic sounds, with the debut single “I’ll Stand Up And Say So” resonating deeply at patriotic events across the country.
Despite his success, Tim remains a humble and devout Christian, seeing his musical gift as something to be shared with others and as a gift to God. While he enjoys the spotlight of his own performances, he continues to be a sought-after studio musician in Nashville, where he creates music for others—a role he cherishes.
Tim Atwood’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and a deep love for the music that has defined his life. His journey from a small-town gospel player to a celebrated country artist is a testament to the enduring spirit of country music and its power to connect, inspire, and move audiences worldwide.