MACK, Colo. (KKCO) - Country superstar Rodney Atkins sat down with 11 News during his stint at Major Mortgage Country Jam 2011 and talked about his new album, why he loves playing for the troops, and why the Rockies are his favorite baseball team.

Rodney Atkins: Whoa, it's hot!

KKCO: Welcome to Colorado! We see you're sporting a Rockies shirt today. Are you trying to score some brownie points today?

Rodney Atkins: No, it wouldn't matter where I was, I could wear a Rockies shirt, man. I'm a Rockies fan. Todd Helton is from Knoxville, Tennessee. That's where I was born.

KKCO: Your brand new single "Take a Back Road" is out now and tearing up the charts. A lot of folks are saying it's one of those songs that's really helping them get through the tough times -- a lot like what they said about "Going Through Hell." What do you think it is about your music that helps people get through these tough times?

Rodney Atkins: It's the songs that get me that I think folks relate to. And that song, that's what it did to me. It just puts a little gravel in your travel, let's you unwind, unravel. The most important thing is to stay down to earth.

KKCO: You are back in the studio recording some new stuff for your next album. What can you tell us about that?

Rodney Atkins: We're finishing that up right now. We'll have a new album out in September or October. We're gonna play some new songs today. It's really one of those albums where we're getting back to the stuff that doesn't just go in one ear and out the other, songs like "Going Through Hell." I think that song grows on you. "Take a Back Road" is one of those tunes that grows on you. And thanks to all the listeners, to everybody, for making it the fastest rising song we've ever had. This whole album is just about getting in your soul.

KKCO: Today is Military Day here at Country Jam and we know you are a big fan of all our servicemen and women. What do you like most about playing a show like this that's dedicated especially to them?

Rodney Atkins: Every single night, we dedicate "If You're Going Through Hell" to all the men and women at home and abroad that are serving this country. I've been through so many of the military hospitals visiting these guys and gals. I was actually at Walter Reed in DC, visiting wounded soldiers when they came in and announced that they shot that son of a -- that they got Bin Laden. I was there with the soldiers that had been hit by the IEDs and that had been out there defending this country, giving us this freedom to let us come out here and have a party. So it's an honor to be here to represent. I love them.

KKCO: It seems like there's a silent debate taking place in country music today. Do you rock the cowboy hat or the trucker hat? Your thoughts?

Rodney Atkins: I say be yourself, man. You just gotta be yourself. If you're defined by what you wear then you need to look inside yourself a little bit, I believe. You just gotta be who you are.

Atkins' new single "Take A Back Road" is currently available for download on iTunes.