Rhett Akins is going to be the next member of the Grand Ole Opry. The singer-songwriter was just invited to join by Opry member Jon Pardi. Akins was performing as part of a special Sunday night show, celebrating ’90s country.
When inviting Akins to join, Pardi recalled the two writing together early in Pardi’s career, before he had any hits.
“Rhett, you wrote with me when I had long hair, when I first moved to town, and I didn’t have nothing going on,” Pardi shared. “I was like, ‘Man, I can’t believe I’m gonna write with Rhett Akins.’ And then I met Thomas [Rhett], and we’ve been writing for however long I’ve been in town, 15 years. It’s been amazing.”
“Rhett is somebody that has always been a mentor, and taught a lot to me how to write songs, how to be a co-writer,” he added. “He has over 30 No. 1s. … You’ve always been family to me. But I’m here to invite you to be a part of a different family. Rhett Akins, I’m here to invite you to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry.”
Akins was understandably emotional as he was joined on stage by several of his family members, including his superstar son.
What Rhett Akins Says About Joining the Grand Ole Opry
Akins shared a heartfelt message after finding out he was going to be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.
“All I do every day is write words, and I can’t think of any words right now, other than ‘Thank you, Lord Jesus,'” Akins said. “I’ve been listening to the Grand Ole Opry since I was a kid with my grandparents, and watching it when it used to be on TNN, and playing here anytime they ask me. If I was in Alaska, and they asked me to play, I’d fly home immediately.
“I love country music with all my heart,” he continued. “I have since I was a kid. All I ever wanted to do was just meet Hank, Jr. Meet George Strait. Never dreamed that I would be here in this circle right here with Bill Monroe and Minnie Pearl and Roy Acuff and Garth [Brooks] and Alan [Jackson] and Jon Pardi. One of my best buddies in the music business. Jon, I love writing with you, pal. This is just unbelievable.”
Why Rhett Akins’ Son is Banned From the Grand Ole Opry
Akins went on to thank his family for being with him as he was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry. He joked about his six-year-old son, Brody, being banned from the Grand Ole Opry.
“This little boy right here, Brody, has been temporarily banned from the Opry stage,” Akins said. “He’s done good a few times, and not so good sometimes. But he’s doing good tonight.”
“I love country music,” Akins concluded. “I love the Grand Ole Opry. … I love country music. God bless y’all. Thank you so much. I’m a member of the Grand Ole Opry.”
In addition to Akins’ own success as a songwriter, he also had a successful career in the ’90s as an artist, with songs like “That Ain’t My Truck,” “She Said Yes,” “Don’t Get Me Started,” and more.
Photo Credit: CMA / Natasha Moustache