Thomas Rhett

As the son of country singer Rhett Akins, who scored some big hits in the mid '90s, Thomas Rhett was born into country music, growing up around country stars and getting a first-hand feel for the music business from an early age. He was born Thomas Rhett Akins, Jr. on March 30, 1990 in Valdosta, Georgia. He dropped his surname in order to try to establish his own musical identity distinct from that of his father. Rhett began as a songwriter rather than a performer, when he was given a publishing deal by Nashville trendsetters Big Machine Records. Even after finding success with his own recording career, Rhett continued to write songs for other artists. Some of his most successful compositions for others include Florida Georgia Line's "Round Here" and Lee Brice's "Parking Lot Party." Rhett's own debut single was 2012's "Something To Do With My Hands," which earned him a spot in the country Top 20. His first album, It Goes Like This, was released the following year, going to No. 2 on the country album charts and No. 6 on the U.S. Top 200. His 2015 follow-up, Tangled Up, fared even better, achieving Platinum status and giving Rhett a No. 1 country hit with "Die a Happy Man." During this period, Rhett also appeared as a guest, alongside Justin Moore, on Brantley Gilbert's hit "Small Town Throwdown." Rhett's third album, 2017's Life Changes, went all the way to No. 1 on both the country and pop charts. The album also gave him another huge hit in "Craving You," a duet with Maren Morris.