Rhett Akins received a surprise of a lifetime on June 28th at the Grand Ole Oprywhen his friend and fellow Opry member Jon Pardi invited him to become the newest member of the Opry family. More Entertainment News
Akins, a Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member who has written 36 No. 1 country hits for artists including Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton and more, had just finished his set when Pardi walked onstage to deliver the news.
“Rhett has always been somebody who has always been a mentor and taught a lot to me about how to write songs, how to be a co-writer,” Pardi said in a release. “He has over 30 No. 1’s.”
Turning to Akins, Pardi added, “You’ve always been family to me, but I’m here to invite you to be part of a different family. Rhett Akins I am here to invite you to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.”
Akins’ wife and children then joined him onstage as he stepped back into the Opry circle. Overcome with emotion, he knelt in the circle and said, “All I do everyday is write words and I can’t think of any words right now except, ‘Thank you Lord Jesus.’”
Akins shared that he grew up listening to the Opry with his grandparents and watching it on TNN.
“I love country music with all my heart and all I ever wanted to do was meet Hank Jr.. Meet George Strait. I never dreamed I’d be in this circle right here with Bill Monroe, Minnie Pearl, Roy Acuff, Garth and Alan…and Jon Pardi. This is just unbelievable,” Akins said.
The celebration continued after the show with a special post-show party for fans in Opry House Studio A. Pardi joined Akins for a medley of songs and a performance of “Dirt On My Boots,” which Akins wrote with Jesse Frasure and Ashley Gorley. The song became Pardi’s second career No. 1 and one of his biggest hits.
Akins also welcomed his son Thomas Rhett during the Studio A set. The two performed songs they have worked on together, including “What’s Your Country Song?” along with Merle Haggard’s “Misery and Gin.”
Akins will officially be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry later this year on a date to be announced.
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