With the 2012 presidential race in high gear, the Republican National Convention has tapped Rodney Atkins to headline its official welcome party on Aug. 26 in St. Petersburg, Fla.

The "He's Mine" singer will be part of an elaborate, invitation-only event at Tropicana Field. "I would liken this to a Super Bowl halftime show," Tampa Bay Host Committee president Ken Jones tells the Tampa Bay Times. "It's going to be something that's so unique, people are going to be talking about it until the next convention."

Rodney will be joined by Shannon Magrane from "American Idol" and Karla Davis from "The Voice." The evening will also feature plenty of other entertainment, including drum bands, cheer squads from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Rays and Tampa Bay Lightning, as well as six drop-down screens throughout the stadium, showing images from the bay area in 3-D.

In other political celebrations, the Got Your 6 gala has yet another lineup change. Willie Nelson was originally scheduled to perform at the non-partisan event at the Dallas Bull on August 29. He was forced to drop out and was replaced by Randy Travis. But now that the "Forever and Ever Amen" singer is facing a new round of legal troubles (after being arrested for the second time this year), he has been replaced by Wyclef Jean, who will perform for the late-night event, co-hosted by Cindy and Meghan McCain.

Rodney's appearance at the RNC is part of the platinum-selling singer's busy schedule for the remainder of 2012, which includes shows in Washington, Nevada and New Mexico. See a list of his concert dates here.

Watch Rodney Atkins' 'Farmer's Daughter' Video

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