Christopher Polk, Getty Images
Both the 'American Idol' alum and the 'Farmer's Daughter' singer have much to celebrate as they wind down 2011. Lauren saw her debut album 'Wildflower' soar to No. 2, while Rodney's recent single, 'Take a Back Road,' stayed at the top of the charts for two weeks and sold more than half a million copies. But the married father of one (plus two step-daughters) is celebrating much more than his career success this year. Rodney is also enjoying his blossoming relationship with his biological mother, who gave him up for adoption as an infant.
"I saw, (in her) my son's eyes," he shares of their first encounter. "The same strange color as mine, the same hair. We were teary. She held my hand and kept saying, 'I'm so sorry,' and I kept thanking her. I said, 'I have wonderful parents. You have no idea the blessings you opened up for me. You don't have to explain yourself.'"
Lauren and Rodney aren't the only country artists who will help ring in the new year on live TV. The Band Perry will head to New York City to perform as part of 'Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve' special on ABC, along with Nicki Minaj, Florence & the Machine, Christina Perri and OneRepublic.
'American Country New Year's Eve Live' will air on December 31 at 11:00 PM ET on FOX.




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