Is Thomas Rhett Related to Rodney Atkins? The Truth Behind the Country Music Stars

Country music fans may wonder if there is any family connection between two of the genre’s popular singers, Thomas Rhett and Rodney Atkins. Both share the same last name, have similar musical styles, and have achieved success as solo artists and songwriters. However, despite these similarities, the two are not related by blood or marriage. Here is the truth behind the country music stars and their backgrounds.

Thomas Rhett: The Son of a Country Singer

Thomas Rhett Akins Jr. was born on March 30, 1990, in Valdosta, Georgia, to mother Paige Braswell and father Rhett Akins. He is the oldest son of singer Rhett Akins, who had several hits in the 1990s, such as “That Ain’t My Truck” and “Don’t Get Me Started”. Thomas grew up in Hendersonville, Tennessee, and was exposed to country music from an early age. He learned to play drums in junior high school and later joined his father on stage to perform. He also formed a band called The High Heeled Flip Flops in high school.

Thomas attended Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, to study communications, but dropped out at age 20 to pursue a career in music. He signed a publishing deal with Big Machine Label Group and co-wrote songs for Jason Aldean, Lee Brice, Florida Georgia Line, and others. He also signed a recording contract with Valory Music Group, a division of Big Machine Records, in 2011.

Thomas has released six studio albums so far: It Goes Like This (2013), Tangled Up (2015), Life Changes (2017), Center Point Road (2019), Country Again: Side A (2021), and Where We Started (2022). He has had 21 singles on the Billboard Hot Country and Country Airplay charts, with 17 reaching the number one position. Some of his most popular songs include “It Goes Like This”, “Die a Happy Man”, “Craving You”, “Marry Me”, “Look What God Gave Her”, and “What’s Your Country Song”. He has also received four Grammy Award nominations and won several awards from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.

Thomas married his childhood sweetheart Lauren Akins in 2012. They have three daughters: Willa Gray, who was adopted from Uganda in 2017; Ada James, who was born in 2017; and Lennon Love, who was born in 2020.

Rodney Atkins: The Adopted Child of a Loving Family

Rodney Allan Atkins was born on March 28, 1969, in Knoxville, Tennessee. His biological mother was 19 years old when she became pregnant with him after a traumatic first date. She hid the pregnancy from her parents and put him up for adoption at the Holston United Methodist Home for Children in Greeneville, Tennessee. His first adoptive parents returned him to the home after he developed a major respiratory infection. Another couple adopted him but also returned him soon after when he developed colic. Finally, Allan and Margaret Atkins adopted him and gave him a loving home.

Rodney grew up in Claiborne County, Tennessee. He attended Powell Valley High School in Speedwell, Tennessee, where he played guitar in his spare time at events and festivals. He also sang in the church choir and participated in school plays. He went to Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee, to study psychology, but dropped out to pursue a career in music. He moved to Nashville and signed with Curb Records in 1996.

Rodney has released five studio albums so far: Honesty (2003), If You’re Going Through Hell (2006), It’s America (2009), Take a Back Road (2011), and Caught Up in the Country (2019). He has had 14 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts, with six reaching the number one position. Some of his most popular songs include “If You’re Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)”, “Watching You”, “These Are My People”, “Cleaning This Gun (Come On In Boy)”, “It’s America”, and “Take a Back Road”. He has also received six nominations from the Academy of Country Music and two from the Country Music Association.

Rodney married Tammy Jo McDonald in 1998. They have one son together: Elijah Atkins, who was born in 2001. They divorced in 2012 after Rodney filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences and an alleged domestic violence incident. Rodney married singer-songwriter Rose Falcon in 2013. They have two sons together: Ryder Falcon Atkins, who was born in 2017; and Scout Falcon Atkins, who was born in 2020.

Conclusion

Thomas Rhett and Rodney Atkins are two of the most successful and respected country music artists of their generation. They have both overcome challenges and hardships in their personal and professional lives and have inspired millions of fans with their music. However, they are not related to each other in any way, except for sharing a passion for country music and a common last name. They are both proud of their families and their roots and continue to make great music for their loyal fans.

Doms Desk

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