# Thomas Rhett

Thomas Rhett Akins Jr. (born March 30, 1990) is an American country singer-songwriter. He is the oldest son of singer Rhett Akins.
Rhett has released seven studio albums for Big Machine Records' Valory Music imprint: It Goes Like This (2013), Tangled Up (2015), Life Changes (2017), Center Point Road (2019), Country Again: Side A (2021), Where We Started (2022) and About a Woman (2024). He has received four Grammy Award nominations with two albums being nominated for Best Country Album in 2017 and 2019.
His six albums have produced 21 singles on the Billboard Hot Country and Country Airplay charts, with 20 reaching the No. 1 position on the latter: "It Goes Like This", "Get Me Some of That", "Make Me Wanna", "Crash and Burn", "Die a Happy Man", "T-Shirt", "Star of the Show", "Craving You", "Unforgettable", "Marry Me", "Life Changes", "Sixteen", "Remember You Young", "Look What God Gave Her", "Beer Can't Fix", "What's Your Country Song", "Country Again", "Half of Me", "Angels (Don't Always Have Wings)", and "Mamaw's House".
In addition to much of his own material, Rhett has written singles for Jason Aldean, Lee Brice, Florida Georgia Line, LoCash, and Michael Ray, among others.

## Early life

Thomas Rhett Akins Jr. was born in Valdosta, Georgia, to mother Paige (née Braswell) and father Rhett Akins. Rhett Akins had hit singles in the 1990s with "That Ain't My Truck" and "Don't Get Me Started" before becoming a songwriter at the beginning of the 21st century.
He was raised in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He grew up knowing other singers including Tim McGraw and Brooks & Dunn. He has one younger sister, and two younger half-brothers; one on his mother's side, and one his father's side.
After learning to play drums while attending junior high school, Rhett later would go onstage with his father and play. In high school, he was part of a band named The High Heeled Flip Flops. Rhett went to Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, to study communications. He dropped out of college when he was 20 to pursue a career in music. He subsequently accepted a publishing deal by Big Machine Label Group to write songs.

## Career
### Songwriting

Rhett co-wrote the song "I Ain't Ready to Quit" on Jason Aldean's 2010 album My Kinda Party and signed a recording contract with Big Machine Records' Valory Music Group division in 2011. The album's first 21 weeks were spent in the top 40 of the Billboard 200; it also has sold 1.7 million in its first years of release. Rhett also co-wrote the 2013 singles "1994" by Jason Aldean, "Parking Lot Party" by Lee Brice, and "Round Here" by Florida Georgia Line. During the chart week of September 21, 2013, the Country Airplay chart included five songs within the top 10 that Rhett or his father had co-written, including "It Goes Like This".

### 2012–2015: It Goes Like This

In early 2012, he released his debut single, "Something to Do with My Hands", followed later that year by "Beer with Jesus". Both of these made top 30 on the Hot Country Songs charts. His third single, "It Goes Like This", topped the Country Airplay chart and also peaked at number 2 on the Hot Country Songs.
His debut album, also titled It Goes Like This, was released on October 29, 2013. The album's fourth single, "Get Me Some of That", became Rhett's second number 1 single in early 2014. The album's fifth single, "Make Me Wanna", was released to country radio on August 4, 2014. It reached number one on the Country Airplay chart on March 7, 2015. In between the two singles, Rhett sang guest vocals along with Justin Moore on Brantley Gilbert's "Small Town Throwdown".

### 2015–2017: Tangled Up

On April 7, 2015, Rhett released a new single titled "Crash and Burn" which served as the lead single to his second studio album. The album, Tangled Up, was released on September 25. It reached at number one on the Country Airplay chart in September 2015. The album's second single, "Die a Happy Man" released to country radio on September 28, 2015. It reached at number one on the Country Airplay, Hot Country Songs, and Canada Country chart in December 2015. and January 2016. It stayed at number one on the Country Airplay chart for 8 weeks, becoming the second song in the chart's history to do so. The album's third single, "T-Shirt" released to country radio on February 16, 2016. It reached at number one on the Country Airplay in June 2016, but received poor critical reviews criticizing its lyrical content. The album's fourth single, "Vacation" released to country radio on June 13, 2016. The album's fifth single, "Star of the Show", released to country radio on October 3, 2016.

### 2017–2020: Life Changes and Center Point Road

On September 8, Rhett released his third studio album Life Changes. It includes the chart-topping singles "Craving You" featuring Maren Morris, "Unforgettable", and "Marry Me". The title track was released as the album's fourth single on April 16, 2018. The album's fifth single was "Sixteen".
On March 1, 2019, Rhett released "Look What God Gave Her" as the lead-off single to his fourth studio album, Center Point Road. The following night, on Saturday Night Live, Rhett performed another new song from the album, called "Don't Threaten Me With a Good Time." The album was released on May 31. "Remember You Young" was the album's second single, while "Beer Can't Fix" featuring Jon Pardi was the third single.
In 2020, Rhett released the standalone single "Be a Light", a star-studded collaboration featuring Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin and Keith Urban. All proceeds earned from the song are donated to the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund. Rhett won Entertainer of the Year at the 2020 Academy of Country Music Awards.

### 2021–2023: Country Again and Where We Started

In March 2021, Rhett announced a double album release, with the first part, Country Again: Side A, released on April 30, 2021. It includes the singles "What's Your Country Song" and "Country Again". The album sees Rhett return to his country roots, with stripped down songs that often include country elements, such as the fiddle. Six songs were co-written by his father, country singer Rhett Akins. Rhett released previews of some of the album's songs on Instagram during the COVID-19 pandemic. The second part of the album, Country Again: Side B, has yet to release. In March 2023, Rhett stated that the album had not come together because of his focus on releasing more high-energy music to play at live shows, but he still hoped to eventually release Side B.
In November 2021, he released "Slow Down Summer", which was the lead single from his sixth studio album Where We Started, released on April 1, 2022. The album's second single, "Half of Me," was released on June 6, 2022 as a collaboration with Riley Green. Rhett released the album's third single, "Angels (Don't Always Have Wings)" on January 23, 2023. The album's latter two singles reached number one on the Country Airplay chart. The album also features collaborations with Katy Perry, Tyler Hubbard, and Russell Dickerson.
On October 21, 2022, Rhett released his EP Merry Christmas, Y'all, featuring his take on four Christmas classics.
On September 29, 2023, Rhett released "20 Number Ones," a greatest hits album, in honor of "Half of Me" becoming his 20th number one single on the Country Aircheck/MediaBase chart. The album includes the bonus track "Mamaw's House," which was released as a single and features Morgan Wallen.

### 2024–present: About a Woman

On May 10, 2024, Rhett released the song "Beautiful as You". On June 5, 2024, Rhett announced that his seventh album About a Woman would be released on August 23, 2024. In September 2024, Rhett co-hosted the 2024 Canadian Country Music Awards alongside MacKenzie Porter.

## Personal life

Rhett married Lauren Akins (née Gregory), on October 12, 2012. In May 2017, they announced via Instagram that they were expecting and also in the process of adopting a child from Africa. Shortly after, they brought home their first daughter Willa Gray from Uganda, who was born on November 1, 2015. They then welcomed their second daughter, Ada James, in August 2017. Their third daughter, Lennon Love, was born on February 10, 2020, and their fourth daughter, Lillie Carolina, was born on November 15, 2021.
Rhett is a Christian. He has incorporated his faith into his music through singles like "Beer With Jesus" and collaborations with worship singers such as Chris Tomlin.

## Discography

* It Goes Like This (2013)
* Tangled Up (2015)
* Life Changes (2017)
* Center Point Road (2019)
* Country Again: Side A (2021)
* Where We Started (2022)
* About a Woman (2024)

## Tours

Headlining
* Home Team Tour (2017)
* Life Changes Tour (2018)
* Very Hot Summer Tour (2019)
* Center Point Road Tour (2020-2021)
* Home Team Tour (2023)
Supporting
* Own the Night Tour with Lady Antebellum (2012)
* Night Train Tour with Jason Aldean and Jake Owen (2013)
* Anything Goes Tour with Florida Georgia Line and Frankie Ballard (2015)
* Suits & Boots Tour (co-headlining) with Brett Eldredge (2015)
* We Were Here Tour with Jason Aldean (2016)
* Six String Circus Tour with Jason Aldean (2016)

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Ceremony | Category | Recipient/Work | Result |
| 2013 | American Country Awards | New Artist of the Year | Thomas Rhett | Nominated |
| 2014 | iHeartRadio Music Awards | Country Song of the Year | "It Goes Like This" | Nominated |
| 2014 | CMT Music Awards | Video of the Year | "It Goes Like This" | Nominated |
| 2014 | CMT Music Awards | Breakthrough Video of the Year | "It Goes Like This" | Nominated |
| 2014 | Country Music Association Awards | New Artist of the Year | Thomas Rhett | Nominated |
| 2014 | American Country Countdown Awards | Breakthrough Artist of the Year | Thomas Rhett | Nominated |
| 2015 | Academy of Country Music Awards | New Artist of the Year | Thomas Rhett | Nominated |
| 2015 | CMT Music Awards | Collaborative Video of the Year | "Small Town Throwdown" (shared with Brantley Gilbert & Justin Moore) | Nominated |
| 2015 | BMI Country Awards | Top 50 Songs | "Make Me Wanna" | Won |
| 2015 | Country Music Association Awards | New Artist of the Year | Thomas Rhett | Nominated |
| 2016 | iHeartRadio Music Awards | Country Artist of the Year | Thomas Rhett | Nominated |
| 2016 | iHeartRadio Music Awards | Best Lyrics | "Die a Happy Man" | Nominated |
| 2016 | American Music Awards | Favorite Song | "Die a Happy Man" | Nominated |
| 2016 | American Music Awards | Favorite Country Male Artist - Country | Thomas Rhett | Nominated |
| 2016 | Academy of Country Music Awards | New Male Vocalist of the Year | Thomas Rhett | Nominated |
| 2016 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Album of the Year | Tangled Up | Nominated |
| 2016 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Single Record of the Year | "Die a Happy Man" | Won |
| 2016 | Country Music Association Awards | Single of the Year | "Die a Happy Man" | Nominated |
| 2016 | Country Music Association Awards | Song of the Year | "Die a Happy Man" | Won |
| 2016 | Billboard Music Awards | Top Country Song | "Die a Happy Man" | Won |
| 2017 | Grammy Awards | Best Country Song | "Die a Happy Man" | Nominated |
| 2017 | iHeartRadio Music Awards | Country Artist of the Year | Thomas Rhett | Won |
| 2017 | iHeartRadio Music Awards | Country Song of the Year | "T-Shirt" | Nominated |
| 2017 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Male Vocalist of the Year | Thomas Rhett | Won |
| 2017 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Song of the Year | "Die a Happy Man" | Won |
| 2017 | CMT Music Awards | Video of the Year | "Star of the Show" | Nominated |
| 2017 | CMT Music Awards | Male Video of the Year | "Star of the Show" | Nominated |
| 2017 | CMT Music Awards | CMT Performance of the Year | "Close" (with Nick Jonas) | Nominated |
| 2017 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice Country Song | "Craving You" (feat. Maren Morris) | Nominated |
| 2017 | Country Music Association Awards | Musical Event of the Year | "Craving You" (feat. Maren Morris) | Nominated |
| 2017 | Country Music Association Awards | Music Video of the Year | "Craving You" (feat. Maren Morris) | Nominated |
| 2017 | Country Music Association Awards | Male Vocalist of the Year | Thomas Rhett | Nominated |
| 2017 | American Music Awards | Favorite Male Artist - Country | Thomas Rhett | Nominated |
| 2018 | Grammy Awards | Best Country Album | Life Changes | Nominated |
| 2018 | iHeartRadio Music Awards | Country Artist of the Year | Thomas Rhett | Won |
| 2018 | iHeartRadio Music Awards | Country Song of the Year | "Unforgettable" | Nominated |
| 2018 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Male Vocalist of the Year | Thomas Rhett | Nominated |
| 2018 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Album of the Year | Life Changes | Nominated |
| 2018 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Video of the Year | "Marry Me" | Nominated |
| 2018 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Vocal Event of the Year | "Craving You" (feat. Maren Morris) | Nominated |
| 2018 | Billboard Music Awards | Top Country Artist | Thomas Rhett | Nominated |
| 2018 | Billboard Music Awards | Top Country Male Artist | Thomas Rhett | Nominated |
| 2018 | Billboard Music Awards | Top Country Album | Life Changes | Nominated |
| 2018 | CMT Music Awards | Video of the Year | "Marry Me" | Nominated |
| 2018 | CMT Music Awards | Collaborative Video of the Year | "Craving You" (feat. Maren Morris) | Nominated |
| 2018 | CMT Music Awards | Male Video of the Year | "Marry Me" | Nominated |
| 2018 | Country Music Association Awards | Male Vocalist of the Year | Thomas Rhett | Nominated |
| 2018 | Country Music Association Awards | Album of the Year | Life Changes | Nominated |
| 2018 | Country Music Association Awards | Music Video of the Year | "Marry Me" | Won |
| 2018 | American Music Awards | Favorite Male Artist - Country | Thomas Rhett | Nominated |
| 2018 | American Music Awards | Favorite Album - Country | Life Changes | Nominated |
| 2019 | iHeartRadio Music Awards | Country Artist of the Year | Thomas Rhett | Nominated |
| 2019 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Male Artist of the Year | Thomas Rhett | Won |
| 2019 | CMT Music Awards | Male Video of the Year | "Life Changes" | Nominated |
| 2019 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice Country Artist | Thomas Rhett | Nominated |
| 2019 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice Country Song | “Look What God Gave Her” | Nominated |
| 2019 | Country Music Association Awards | Male Vocalist of the Year | Thomas Rhett | Nominated |
| 2019 | Country Music Association Awards | Album of the Year | Center Point Road | Nominated |
| 2019 | American Music Awards | Favorite Male Artist - Country | Thomas Rhett | Nominated |
| 2020 | Grammy Awards | Best Country Album | Center Point Road | Nominated |
| 2020 | iHeartRadio Music Awards | Country Artist of the Year | Thomas Rhett | Nominated |
| 2020 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Entertainer of the Year | Thomas Rhett | Won |
| 2020 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Album of the Year | Center Point Road | Nominated |
| 2020 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Male Artist of the Year | Thomas Rhett | Nominated |
| 2020 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Video of the Year | "Remember You Young" | Won |
| 2020 | CMT Music Awards | Video of the Year | "Remember You Young" | Nominated |
| 2020 | CMT Music Awards | Male Video of the Year | "Remember You Young" | Nominated |
| 2020 | CMT Music Awards | Collaborative Video of the Year | "Beer Can't Fix" (with Jon Pardi) | Nominated |
| 2020 | Country Music Association Awards | Male Vocalist of the Year | Thomas Rhett | Nominated |
| 2020 | Country Music Association Awards | Musical Event of the Year | "Be a Light" (feat. Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, and Keith Urban) | Nominated |
| 2021 | Grammy Awards | Best Country Song | "Some People Do" | Nominated |
| 2021 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Entertainer of the Year | Thomas Rhett | Nominated |
| 2021 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Male Artist of the Year | Thomas Rhett | Won |
| 2021 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Song of the Year | "Some People Do" | Nominated |
| 2021 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Musical Event of the Year | "Be a Light" | Nominated |
| 2021 | iHeartRadio Music Awards | Country Artist of the Year | Thomas Rhett | Nominated |
| 2021 | CMT Music Awards | Male Video of the Year | "What's Your Country Song" | Nominated |
| 2021 | Country Music Association Awards | Male Vocalist of the Year | Thomas Rhett | Nominated |
| 2022 | Grammy Awards | Best Country Song | "Country Again" | Nominated |

## Television appearances

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2016 | CMT Crossroads | Himself | Alongside Nick Jonas |
| 2016–present | CMA Music Festival: Country's Night To Rock | Himself/co-host | Alongside Brett Eldredge and Kelsea Ballerini |
| 2017 | The Ranch | Himself | |
| 2018 | The Voice | Himself/Advisor | Season 15: Team Kelly |
| 2019 | Saturday Night Live | Himself/Musical guest | Season 44: "John Mulaney/Thomas Rhett" |
| 2019 | Kennedy Center Honors | Himself | |
He also sang a duet with Elmo and the gang on Sesame Street.