Thomas Rhett Akins Jr., born on March 30, 1990, in Valdosta, Georgia, is a prominent American country music singer-songwriter who has become a household name in the genre.
Raised in Hendersonville, Tennessee, after his family relocated to Nashville, he developed a passion for music early on, learning to play drums in junior high and performing on stage with his father.
Despite briefly attending Lipscomb University to study communications, Thomas dropped out at 20 to pursue a full-time career in music, a decision that would lead to a remarkable trajectory in country music.
His blend of traditional country with modern pop influences, heartfelt lyrics, and charismatic performances has earned him a devoted fanbase.
Siblings
Thomas is the eldest of three siblings, with a younger sister and two younger half-brothers, each from his parents’ subsequent marriages after their divorce in 1999.
His sister, Kasey Lee Akins, born in 1993, maintains a low profile compared to her brother’s high-octane career.
She works alongside their mother, Paige Lankford, at Plexus Worldwide, a health and wellness company, and has largely stayed out of the public eye.
Kasey is married to Conner Brandon, having gotten engaged in May 2020, and is a mother to two children, adding to the growing extended family that Thomas cherishes.
His half-brother on his mother’s side, Tyler Lankford, was born in April 2005 to Paige and her second husband, Tim Lankford.
At 19, Tyler has gained some attention through Thomas’s social media, notably in a 2024 video where he was seen enjoying Thomas’s song “Gone Country” during a family beach outing, sparking fan interest and even earning him “heartthrob” status online.
Thomas’s youngest half-brother, Brody James Akins, was born in March 2020 to Rhett Akins and his second wife, Sonya Mansfield.
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Career
Rhett’s career began with songwriting, a craft he honed by observing his father and other Nashville writers.
Before releasing his own music, he penned songs for artists like Jason Aldean, Lee Brice, and Florida Georgia Line, including hits like Aldean’s “1994” and Brice’s “Parking Lot Party.”
In 2011, he signed with Big Machine Records’ Valory Music Group, launching his performing career with his debut single, “Something to Do with My Hands,” in 2012.
His breakthrough came with “It Goes Like This,” which topped the Country Airplay chart in 2013, setting the stage for his debut album of the same name.
Subsequent albums, including Tangled Up (2015), Life Changes (2017), Center Point Road (2019), Country Again: Side A (2021), Where We Started (2022), and About a Woman (2024), solidified his reputation for blending genres and storytelling.
Notable singles like “Die a Happy Man,” inspired by his wife Lauren Akins, and “Marry Me” showcase his ability to weave personal experiences into universal themes.
Accolades
Rhett has secured 22 number-one singles on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, including “Crash and Burn,” “Unforgettable,” and “What’s Your Country Song,” with 20 of his 21 charted singles reaching the top spot.
His albums Life Changes and Center Point Road received Grammy nominations for Best Country Album in 2017 and 2019, respectively, totaling four Grammy nods.
Thomas has also won eight Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards, including the prestigious Entertainer of the Year, and two Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, with “Die a Happy Man” earning Single of the Year in 2016.
His songwriting prowess, often in collaboration with his father or as part of The Peach Pickers, has been celebrated, with hits like “It Goes Like This” and “Star of the Show” reflecting their shared creative influence.
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