Rhett Akins Inducted Into The Grand Ole Opry

Rhett Akins was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry last night (Oct. 13) on his birthday…

Rhett Akins. Photo: Courtesy of the Grand Ole Opry

Rhett Akins was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry last night (Oct. 13) on his birthday.

Akins was inducted by Grand Ole Opry members Jamey Johnson and Jon Pardi.

He kicked off his set with his 1996 chart-topper, “Don’t Get My Started.” Throughout the show, Akins was joined by Pardi for “Dirt on My Boots, teamed up with Johnson for a performance of Merle Haggard’s “Ramblin Fever,” and later joined Luke Bryan on “I Don’t Want This Night to End” and “Huntin’, Fishin’, and Lovin’ Every Day.”

His son Thomas Rhett joined on “What’s Your Country Song,” one of the eight No. 1 hits they have written together. He also returned to the stage to perform “Honey Bee” and “I Lived It,” two songs he penned for Opry member Blake Shelton. To end the night, all of the artists joined him onstage for a performance of his signature classic “That Ain’t My Truck” and “Happy Birthday.”

Akins has penned 36 No. 1 country hits for artists. In 2010, Rhett was named the No. 4 Billboard Country Songwriter. In 2011 and 2014, BMI named him Songwriter of the Year. Akins is a seven-time CMA Triple Play recipient and was named Songwriter of the Decade by the Academy of Country Music in 2019. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2021.

Rhett Akins and Thomas Rhett. Photo: Courtesy of the Grand Ole Opry

Jon Pardi and Rhett Akins. Photo: Courtesy of the Grand Ole Opry

Pictured (L-R): Jon Pardi, Jason Aldean, Jamey Johnson, Rhett Akins, Thomas Rhett and Luke Bryan. Photo: Courtesy of the Grand Ole Opry