I know there were a few of us who thought not if, but when would Rhett Akins be invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Well, it happened last night during the special Sunday Night Opry. I am very happy for Rhett, and I believe he will be a very good and supportive member of the Opry. He has been appearing on the show for decades, and while he hasn't had a great deal of chart success as a singer, he certainly has had success as a songwriter.
Here is the official press release from the Opry:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - (June 29, 2026) – Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Rhett Akins, writer of 36 No. 1 country hits for artists including Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, and more, was surprised with an invitation to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry tonight by friend and Opry member Jon Pardi.
Pardi slipped into the Opry House under the radar and made his way to center stage to surprise Akins as he finished his set, saying, “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. He has over 30 No. 1’s.” Turning to Akins, he continued, “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.”
As his wife and children walked out to the stage, an emotional Akins ‘officially’ stepped foot back into the circle, knelt down in the circle in gratitude and said, “All I do everyday is write words and I can’t think of any words right now except, ‘Thank you Lord Jesus.’”
He added, “I have been listening to the Grand Ole Opry since I was a little kid with my grandparents. Watching it when it used to be on TNN. Anytime they’d ask me to play, if I was in Alaska, I’d fly home immediately. 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.”
After the show, Akins carried the celebration to a special post-show party with fans in Opry House Studio A, where Pardi joined him for a medley of songs and a rousing performance of “Dirt On My Boots”, the song written by Akins, Jesse Frasure and Ashley Gorley which became Pardi’s second career No. 1 and one of his biggest hits to date. Later in his Studio A set, Akins welcomed his son Thomas Rhett, who collaborated on more hits including “What’s Your Country Song?” and the Merle Haggard classic “Misery and Gin.”
“We’re going to be so pleased to welcome a fellow like Rhett who has made such an impact both as a recording artist and an often-recorded songwriter into the Opry family.” said Dan Rogers, Opry executive producer. Rhett lauds the Opry’s traditions and is excited to help build its future as the show enters its second century. This is going to be a great marriage.”
Akins will officially join the Opry family later this year on a date to be announced.
About Rhett Akins:
Rhett found his way to a professional music career when Decca Records (which had been reactivated then) heard one of his demos. He dropped his first album, A Thousand Memories, in 1995. The record was critically acclaimed and produced four chart singles including his first No. 1 hit, “That Ain’t My Truck,” which he also co-wrote. The song has since become Rhett’s signature song but his success story was just getting started. The following year he released Somebody New which produced another No. 1 hit, “Don’t Get Me Started.”
Akins has written 36 No. 1 singles (and counting), and his impressive catalog hasn’t gone unnoticed in the music industry. Akins has been the recipient of renowned awards and titles. In 2010, Rhett was named the No. 4 Billboard Country Songwriter. The following year, BMI named him Songwriter of the Year. He won it again in 2014. His song “Honey Bee” became the highest selling digital debut by a country male solo artist. His biggest accomplishment, though, may be winning the CMA Triple Play award a total of seven times. The award is presented to a songwriter who penned three No. 1 singles in 12 months, and he won it in October 2010, January 2012, February 2014, February 2015, February 2016, February 2017, and again in February 2018! In April 2018 Rhett was named Songwriter of the Year and in September 2019 named the first Songwriter of the Decade by the Academy of Country Music. In July 2021, Rhett was announced as an inductee into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Moving on, there are only two shows on the mid-week schedule and taking a look at the Tuesday Night Opry, members Mandy Barnett, Del McCoury and Charlie McCoy are on the schedule. Comedian Brian Bates is listed as are Jamie O'Neal, Jake Hoot, Christian Lopez and Angie K.
The Wednesday Night Opry lists Crystal Gayle, T. Graham Brown, Rhonda Vincent and comedian Gary Mule Deer on the schedule. Guesting are Willow Avalon, Bryce Leatherwood and making their Opry debut, The Often Herd.
Tuesday June 30
7:00: Mandy Barnett, Jake Hoot, Angie K, Del McCoury Band
Intermission
8:20: Christian Lopez, Brian Bates, Jamie O'Neal, Charlie McCoy
Wednesday July 1
7:00: T. Graham Brown, Bryce Leatherwood, The Often Herd, Crystal Gayle
Intermission
8:20: Willow Avalon, Gary Mule Deer, Wade Hayes, Rhonda Vincent
The Often Herd transcend the traditional boundaries of bluegrass music. Although they might resemble an American string band, complete with driving energy, tight vocal harmonies and dazzling instrumental interplay, their vibrant, transatlantic sound is deeply coloured by their surroundings; the striking natural and industrial landscapes of Northern England. This unique approach won them the title of “Best European Bluegrass Band 2018” at the prestigious La Roche Bluegrass Festival in France.
Rupert Hughes (guitar) and Evan Davies (mandolin), write songs steeped in personal experience whilst drawing from a wide pool of influences ranging from old-time to psychedelia. American-born fiddler Niles Krieger and jazz bassist Sam Quintana add fiery instrumental skills to the mix, launching the band’s arrangements into the stratosphere. Together, their sound is both boldly contemporary and soothingly familiar, taking time-honoured traditions to new places with a fresh perspective. Flock to the herd, you won’t be disappointed.
(From the website)
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