With over 36 No.1 hits as a songwriter, two of his own, and basically fueling the iconic tracks on the radio over the past thirty years, Rhett Akins has officially been inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Akins has helped pen everything from Luke Bryan’s “I Don’t Want This Night to End,” to Jon Pardi’s “Dirt On My Boots,” Thomas Rhett & Riley Green’s “Half of Me,” Jason Aldean’s “When She Says Baby,” and even one of Ella Langley’s early hits, “Paint The Town Blue.” According to Spotify’s artist profile, the man has written well over 344 songs, and you’d be amazed to see how many of your favorites he had a hand in.
In celebration of last night’s momentous occasion, as Akins officially became the newest member of the historic Grand Ole Opry family, several of his country music friends joined him throughout the night to honor his growing legacy. Opry members Jamey Johnson and Jon Pardi were the two who officially inducted Akins.
Akins’ equally famous son and hit-maker Thomas Rhett was also in attendance last night along with his fellow Georgia natives, Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean. The guys each performed separate tributes to the man of the hour throughout the night, including Pardi’s “Dirt on My Boots” and Bryan’s “Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day.”
And just when you thought the night couldn’t get any better, they all joined Akins on stage for one final song, performing his own 1995 hit, “That Ain’t My Truck.”
Like the heartwarming ending credits to a good movie, Bryan, Pardi, Aldean, Johnson, and his son all surrounded Akins in a line, belting out the classic tune from Akins’ debut album, A Thousand Memories. Now that’s what I call a night out in Nashville.
Check out a snippet of the performance below:
Check out Rhett Akin’s Full Opry Induction Ceremony: