by: Bee Delores
Last Updated: November 19, 2024
9 min read
9 min read
By continuing to use this website you agree to our terms and conditions . If you don't agree with our terms and conditions, you are not permitted to continue using this website.
Thomas Rhett ‘s journey into country music is deeply connected to his personal life, from how he grew up to the people who inspired him. Rhett’s story is just as interesting as his music.
His father, Rhett Akins, is a musician, and he has had some interesting experiences, like being babysat by a country star.
His ability to mix old-fashioned and modern elements in country music has changed the style and earned him number-one albums and dedicated fans.
Keep reading to know more details.
Thomas Rhett’s early life was anything but normal. He grew up in the exciting world of country music.
Rhett Akins Jr., better known as Thomas Rhett, was born on March 30, 1990, in Valdosta, Georgia.
He has been interested in music since he was a child. Thomas’s life was deeply affected by the fact that his father, Rhett Akins, was a well-known country singer and songwriter.
In an interesting part of his youth story, it comes out that country star Reba McEntire babysat him.
During a funny “ Most Likely To ” chat with CMT, Rhett told them this interesting fact. He showed a copy of McEntire’s face and said, “Reba has been watching me.” Mom and Dad used to go on tour with Reba.
McEntire was more than just Rhett’s babysitter; she was a strong person in his life.
Rhett had a happy memory of her stepping in when he and McEntire’s son Shelby Blackstock were fighting.
“Nothing would go wrong under Reba’s watch,” Rhett said, describing how she was both strict and loving. While their parents were on tour across the country, Rhett and Shelby spent a lot of time together.
This helped them form a bond that was based on their shared experiences in country music. This unusual childhood played a big role in Rhett’s decision to become a country music star.
His father, Rhett Akins, who went from being a demo singer in Nashville to a famous musician, had a big impact on him.
He wrote hit songs for Parker McCollum and Rodney Atkins, such as “To Be Loved by You” and “Take a Back Road.” Thomas got into the music business early on, and his father helped him.
He also had memorable times with famous artists like Reba McEntire, which set the stage for his successful career.
That shows how his country music roots mixed with the stars of the genre to shape his journey.
Thomas Rhett’s family had a big impact on his early singing career . Rhett promised his mother at first that he wouldn’t become a musician like his father because it hurt their marriage.
But he found himself drawn to music. He played in cover bands and tried writing songs while he was in college at Lipscomb University in Nashville, where he studied business and marketing.
Rhett’s big break came when he got a publishing deal, which led to a record deal when he was only 21 years old.
His first record, It Goes Like This (2013), went to No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and marked the beginning of his rise in the industry.
It was big hits like “Craving You” and “Die a Happy Man” that made him famous in country music.
The second one, which was inspired by his wife Lauren Akins, went to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and stayed there for 17 weeks.
His third record, Life Changes (2017), showed how his style had changed by combining traditional country music with more modern sounds.
This album was not only his first No. 1 record in any genre, but it also marked important events in his life, like getting married and adopting his first daughter, Willa Grey.
His music got better with songs like “ Marry Me ,” which is a sad look at missed chances at love. Lauren, Rhett’s wife, has always been an inspiration for his music.
Songs like “Die a Happy Man” and “Church” from his most recent record, About a Woman (2024), are about her.
This record shows how versatile Rhett is by combining styles from The Rolling Stones to The Oak Ridge Boys.
Because he can connect personal stories to universal themes, his music has a lot of fans from all kinds of music and groups.
Thomas Rhett is a master artist because he can mix different types of music while still keeping the heart of country music.
This is exemplified by his 2024 album About a Woman, which has songs that are classic country, pop, rock, and even covers of famous songs.
One great example is “Don’t Wanna Dance,” which takes ideas from “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Whitney Houston.
Rhett’s new take on this old song, which is based on his romantic situations, shows how good he is at reinventing things.
Reviewers have said that the record is great for people with a wide range of musical tastes and emotional stages.
The record has a lot of different styles, from the happy, carefree “ Overdrive” to the serious, heartfelt “ Can’t Love You Anymore.”
Each song in Rhett’s album shows a different part of his own love story with Lauren. This makes the music more real and moving.
People magazine interviewed Rhett about the album’s upbeat mood. “I wanted my wife and kids to feel like this was one that put a smile on their face and made ’em want to move,” he said.
The album is now full of catchy songs that have quickly become fan favorites. For example, “Boots” is a fun tribute to shoes that mixes traditional country beats with modern flair.
What makes Rhett unique is that he is ready to try new things with his sound while staying true to his roots.
He is widely praised for finding a balance between new ideas and old ones. This has made him one of the most exciting acts in country music.
In addition to his studio work, Thomas Rhett has had a big effect on country music through his electrifying live shows.
His Better in Boots Tour in 2025, which includes shows in 30 places across North America, looks like it will be no different.
The show is a celebration of Rhett’s huge back catalog, which includes almost twenty No. 1 Billboard Country Airplay hits and other great artists like Tucker Wetmore, Dasha, and The Castellows.
The tour comes right after the release of his most recent record, About a Woman, which was praised by critics and sold well in stores.
Rhett’s work is very personal, as shown by songs like “Church,” which is a touching ode to his teenage years and his love story with Lauren.
When asked what inspired the song, Rhett talked about how Eric Church’s record Carolina became the soundtrack of their childhood and a big part of how they met and fell in love.
In addition to his singing, Rhett’s personal life is still a big part of who he is in public. He has been married to his childhood sweetheart Lauren since 2012, and the two of them have a long past together.
In 2017, they adopted their daughter Willa Grey from Uganda, and then Ada James and Lennon Love were born.
Their love story and dedication to family continue to move fans and have an impact on Rhett’s songs.
As Thomas Rhett gets ready for the next part of his career, his mix of moving stories, creative ideas that don’t fit into any one genre, and electrifying shows make his place as a country music icon.
Rhett’s journey shows how powerful love, family, and artistic growth can be. He has deep roots in the traditions of the genre and an eye on the future.
Event | Details |
---|---|
Birth | Born March 30, 1990, in Valdosta, Georgia. |
Famous Babysitter | Reba McEntire babysat him during his childhood. |
Breakthrough Song | “It Goes Like This” became his first No. 1 hit. |
Marriage | Married Lauren Akins on October 12, 2012. |
Upcoming Tour | Kicking off Better In Boots tour in June 2025. |
Lover of hiking, biking, horror movies, cats and camping. Writer at Wide Open Country, Holler and Nashville Gab.
We appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback about this page with us.
Whether it's praise for something good, or ideas to improve something that
isn't quite right, we're excited to hear from you.