Country music hitmaker Rhett Akins celebrated his birthday with a career milestone: his official induction into the Grand Ole Opry, surrounded by family and friends, including Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett, Jamey Johnson, and Jon Pardi. More Entertainment News
The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member and ACM Songwriter of the Decade, who has penned 36 No. 1 country hits, was inducted on October 13 by Opry members Jamey Johnson and Jon Pardi.
“This is the greatest night of my life,” Akins told the audience at the beginning of the show.
Akins kicked off the celebration with his 1996 chart-topping hit “Don’t Get Me Started” before welcoming several artists who have recorded songs he has written.
Throughout the evening, Akins joined Pardi for “Dirt on My Boots” and teamed up with Johnson for Merle Haggard’s “Ramblin’ Fever.” He also performed alongside Luke Bryan on “I Don’t Want This Night to End” and “Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day.”
One of the evening’s highlights came when Akins shared the stage with his son, Thomas Rhett, for “What’s Your Country Song,” one of eight No. 1 hits the father-son duo has written together. Akins also performed “Honey Bee” and “I Lived It,” two songs he wrote for fellow Opry member Blake Shelton.
Following the performances, Pardi and Johnson welcomed Akins into the Opry family during the official induction ceremony.
“Rhett Akins, you are now a member of the Grand Ole Opry,” Pardi announced.
Johnson added some humor to the occasion, telling Akins, “Congratulations. It couldn’t have happened to a better guy … but it did. It happened to me.”
The celebration concluded with Akins and his friends performing his signature hit “That Ain’t My Truck,” followed by a rendition of “Happy Birthday” with the audience joining in.
In June, Pardi invited Akins to join the Grand Ole Opry and surprised him with the news. Akins wrote Pardi’s hit “Dirt on My Boots,” which became the singer’s second career No. 1 single.
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