One of Walton County Sheriff"s Office's own is gracing the cover of Country Music People Magazine UK.
Lt. Artie Rodriguez's latest album, "I'll Give You Something to Drink About," has been making waves overseas.
"They love it," said Rodriguez, who has been a deputy for 14 years. "They're eating it up."
His fans overseas appreciate his more traditional rendition of country music, Rodriguez said.
The album features four songs written by Rodriguez as well as songs written by songwriters for George Jones and George Strait. Acclaimed fiddler Bobby Flores joins Rodriguez in one song. In another, Artie pays tribute to Ray Price.
A 5-page article on Artie and his journey is also featured in the magazine.
"It's always one of those things you always dream about," Rodriguez said of the article. "I never expected it real quick."
Rodriguez's goal has always been to perform country music he grew up with.
"Somebody has got to keep that traditional country music burning."
Duncan Warwick, the magazine's owner, said the album is one of the best he's heard in a while. It'll likely be included in the magazine's best of the year roundup.
Artie stays true to traditional country music, Warwick said, "where fiddle and steel are considered an important part of the sound."
"That is also something a lot of fans in the UK respect, and on a personal level, that is the way I like it as well," Warwick wrote in an email.
Copyright 2014 - Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
