If you are a fan of country music, you might have wondered if Rhett Akins and Chet Atkins are related. After all, they share the same last name and the same passion for music. But are they really family, or is it just a coincidence? Here is what we found out about the relationship between these two country music stars.
Who is Rhett Akins?
Rhett Akins is a singer and songwriter who was born on October 13, 1969, in Valdosta, Georgia. He started his career as a solo artist in the mid-1990s, releasing two albums with Decca Records and one with MCA Nashville. He had several hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, including his signature song “That Ain’t My Truck” and his only number one hit “Don’t Get Me Started”
However, Rhett Akins is perhaps more known for his songwriting skills than his singing abilities. He is one of the members of The Peach Pickers, a songwriting team that also includes Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip. Together, they have written dozens of hit songs for other country artists, such as Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, Dustin Lynch, and many more
Rhett Akins is also the father of Thomas Rhett, another successful country singer and songwriter. Thomas Rhett was born on March 30, 1990, and followed his father’s footsteps into the music industry. He has released five albums so far, all of which have reached the top of the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. He has also had 17 number one singles on the Hot Country Songs chart, some of which he co-wrote with his father
Who is Chet Atkins?
Chet Atkins was a legendary musician who was born on June 20, 1924, in Luttrell, Tennessee. He was primarily a guitarist, but he also played other instruments such as the mandolin, fiddle, banjo, and ukulele. He was also a songwriter and a producer who helped shape the sound of country music in the 1950s and 1960s. He was known as “Mr. Guitar” and “The Country Gentleman” for his skill and style
Chet Atkins was influenced by various genres of music, such as jazz, pop, rock, folk, and blues. He developed his own distinctive picking style that was inspired by Merle Travis and Django Reinhardt. He also experimented with different techniques and technologies to create new sounds and effects. He recorded over 100 albums in his career and collaborated with many other artists such as Les Paul, Mark Knopfler, Dolly Parton, Jerry Reed, and Willie Nelson
Chet Atkins was also a influential figure in the Nashville music scene. He worked as an executive for RCA Victor and produced records for many famous country singers such as Hank Snow, Eddy Arnold, Jim Reeves, Don Gibson, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, and more. He was one of the pioneers of the Nashville sound, a style of country music that blended traditional elements with pop influences to appeal to a wider audience. He also mentored many young musicians and inspired generations of guitarists
Chet Atkins died on June 30, 2001, at the age of 77 from cancer. He was honored with many awards and recognitions throughout his life and after his death. He received 14 Grammy Awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He also received nine Country Music Association awards for Instrumentalist of the Year. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum. He was also ranked number 21 on Rolling Stone’s list of “The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”
Are They Related?
So are Rhett Akins and Chet Atkins related? The answer is no. They are not blood relatives or even distant cousins. They just happen to share a common surname that is fairly common in the South.
However, they do have some connections besides their name and their love for country music. For one thing, they both have ties to Georgia. Rhett Akins was born and raised in Georgia, while Chet Atkins moved to Georgia when he was young because of his asthma condition.
Another connection is that they both have collaborated with Mark Knopfler, the lead singer and guitarist of Dire Straits. Rhett Akins co-wrote a song called “Red Staggerwing” with Knopfler for his album All the Roadrunning with Emmylou Harris in 2006. Chet Atkins recorded an album called Neck and Neck with Knopfler in 1990, which won a Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Collaboration
A third connection is that they both have sons who are also involved in the music industry. As mentioned earlier, Rhett Akins is the father of Thomas Rhett, a popular country singer and songwriter. Chet Atkins was the father of Merle Atkins Russell, a singer and songwriter who performed with her father on several occasions. She also wrote a biography of her father called Chet Atkins: Me and My Guitars in 2001
Conclusion
Rhett Akins and Chet Atkins are two country music stars who have made their mark in the industry as singers, songwriters, and producers. They have also passed on their musical legacy to their sons, who are also successful in their own right. However, they are not related by blood or by marriage. They just share a common last name that reflects their Southern roots.
