Mike Rodgers :: Honkytonk Hitman

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2008 Indie Outlaw Roster

May 9, 2008

I have been busier then a one legged man in a butt kickin’ contest lately with working out, the Indie Outlaw Show, performing again, and working on the new gym. But that is a good thing right? I have a lot to report so here goes…..

Go to the news section on the http://honkytonkhitman.com website and check out the 2008 Roster for the 4th Annual Honkytonk Hitman’s Indie Outlaw Show. I am 100% positive that this show will have something for everyone this year. I was able to lock down some of the very best independent talent in Nashville, and Lyric Street Recording Artist Trent Tomlinson (“Drunker than me”, “One Wing in the Fire”, and “Just Might Have Her Radio On”) to be the special guest for the night. This show will be a knockout! 7-11 will be fun, but 11-?? is going to be off the hook! Can’t wait to see y’all there.

The Boxing Gym: Keith, Ken and I have been given the green light to completely empty out the facility so that we can move forward with the gym. We had been waiting for the city to do the work and it was taking a long time. So we proposed that we could do it ourselves and they gave us the go ahead. I will take pictures of the progress of our journey and post them for everyone to see.

The Boxing Comeback: I am in great shape and looking forward to fighting again. We now have an opponent in mind and I could fight today, but we will put off the announcement until we can make the opening of the gym coincide with the fight. This comeback is about the gym and the kids. That is what is most important right now.

Performing Again: As you may have seen on my schedule, I am performing again every Tuesday night at Legends Corner on Broadway in Nashville. Next week I will be adding more dates to the schedule so check it out. You will be surprised. I am happy to be out playing again. I am starting to feel like the Hitman again! I am also trying to get most of the old band members back together so keep your fingers crossed. Well that is about it for now so stay tuned next week.

Same Hit Time, Same Hit Channel!

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From a Back Pack to a Six Pack

Apr 24, 2008

A lot has happened in the last month so I apologize for not writing more but will try harder to keep you updated. Me, Keith, and Ken had to go before the Mayor and the city council to discuss some of the details before they would grant us the rights to use the facility as a boxing gym. Everything went well and we are waiting for them to finish emptying out the place so that we can have the concrete floors and bathrooms completed. There is a lot of work left to do before it opens and we are all working as fast as we can. Right now it is mostly in the “hurry up and wait” mode, but at least we are moving forward and not backwards.

As for my boxing comeback, my training has really intensified this last few weeks and I am adding my weight back on quickly and finding my six-pack again. The last couple of years it looked like I was smuggling a back pack in front so I am all too happy to be finding my old self again. Mentally, spiritually, and physically I am growing stronger by the day. My weight is fine, but I am getting to a point now where there is no way that I could make Light-Heavyweight again. I am eating 6 times a day now with training, and I REALLY like to eat. I am working out 6 days a week by running everyday, lifting weights, and boxing so I acquire a lot of food. I feel and look better then I have since I retired from boxing. I am almost ready now. I feel great!

When I run at the house I take my beagles with me. Those dogs are spoiled rotten. They think that they are human. Sonny sleeps with me on my pillow and cuddles like a little teddy bear and Sophie sleeps behind my legs every night. By the end of the run I am practically carrying Sonny and Sophie just looks pitiful. Sonny will never be a hunting dog now. Ha Ha

There have been a lot of questions about the opponent I am going to fight first and where so I will try and answer them the best that I can at the moment. We do have several opponents that we have in mind but will not be naming any names until we have something in concrete first. For those of you who want to know who I will be fighting and where it will be, be patient, it won’t be long before we make an official announcement.

We are announcing our special guest and the line up for the 4th Annual Indie Outlaws show SOON. This year we are teaming up with “Paws for the Cause” to not only bring you a great show, but also to contribute to a great charity. My beagles Sonny & Sophie are chomping at the bits to participate. Check back next week for more!

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Honkytonk Hitman returns to the Boxing Ring

Mar 11, 2008

Ok, it is time for me to pull my personal life out of the fish bowl and concentrate on other matters of importance to me such as boxing and music. I am currently teaming up with a couple of retired boxers, Keith McKnight & Ken Atkin, to open a non-profit boxing gym for the youth in the Rutherford County area. This gym will be used to help teach the kids life skills, discipline, self-confidence and the sport of boxing.

Keith McKnight’s professional boxing record was (43 win’s – 4 losses – 30 ko’s). McKnight is best known for being the boxer to retire Iran “The Blade” Barkley by knocking him out in a devastating fashion. Keith McKnight now works in Smyrna and trains boxers on the side.

Ken “The Bull” Atkin’s professional boxing record was (29 win’s – 5 losses – 21 ko’s). Atkin is best known for his war with Tommy Hearns. Ken Atkin is now a police officer in La Vergne.

We are pulling all of our resources together to make this gym a reality for the youth in our community. All three of us have the same beliefs in God, love for boxing, and the desire to help the youth in our community.

Today I am officially announcing that I am making a comeback to professional boxing to promote the new boxing gym for the youth in our area. This time around Keith McKnight will train me. We will schedule a fight for some time in June or July at the earliest. We are already working on the first fight. The location for the fight will be in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, or Tennessee. The opponent will be named at a later date.

I have not decided at this time if I will compete in the Cruiserweight division (200lbs) again. My weight is coming back fast now that I am working out again since my illness in January. I think by the end of training camp I will walk around at 205 lbs and the Light Heavyweight division will be too far out of my reach. I don’t want to have to dehydrate myself to make weight. We will just have to see how the training camp goes before making a final decision.

Keep checking back for more details about when, where, and who we will be fighting in the future. More details will be announced very soon.

Also we are currently working on the 3rd Annual Indie Outlaws show. We will announce our special guest and the line up for the show next month. I am also working on a deal right now to get back out performing on a regular basis again. I am ready to get as busy as I possibly can in 2008. I hope you are as ready to see me, as I am you.

Mike

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