Renowned country artist and two-time BMI Songwriter of the Year Rhett Akins received a momentous tribute at the Grand Ole Opry show on October 18. Before his performance, he was honored by BMI’s Leslie Roberts and Ben Vaughn from Warner Chappell Music for his remarkable contributions to the world of music. Akins, a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, is a true icon with an incredible track record of 35 chart-topping hits. His songs have amassed over 68 million radio spins and have been performed by acclaimed artists like Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett, and Parker McCollum.
The collection of BMI Millionaire Certificates awarded to Akins is nothing short of impressive, reflecting the enormity of his impact on the country music scene. These certificates are given in recognition of the radio airplay received by a songwriter’s compositions. Akins’ certificates include several songs with an impressive one to five million airplays.
Rhett Akins set sail on his journey into the music industry when Decca Records recognized his immense talent and heard one of his demo tracks. In 1995, he released his debut album, A Thousand Memories, which was met with critical acclaim. The album featured four chart-topping singles, including his first No. 1 hit, “That Ain’t My Truck,” which he also co-wrote. This song would go on to become one of Akins’ signature pieces, marking the beginning of his successful career. The subsequent year, he launched “Somebody New,” which produced another No. 1 hit, “Don’t Get Me Started.”
Akins’ achievements extend beyond his thriving solo career. He has also penned chart-toppers for numerous prominent artists. His impressive list of accolades includes writing 31 No. 1 singles. In 2018, Akins celebrated his 29th number one with Thomas Rhett and fellow co-writers, achieving a three-week No. 1 hit with “Life Changes.” In the summer of 2019, “Look What God Gave Her” marked his 30th #1 hit. In November 2019, Akins reached his 31st #1 with Brantley Gilbert’s “What Happens In A Small Town.”
Akins’ remarkable achievements haven’t gone unnoticed in the music industry. In 2010, he was recognized as the No. 4 Billboard Country Songwriter, and the following year, BMI bestowed upon him the title of Songwriter of the Year. He reclaimed this honor in 2014. Akins’ song “Honey Bee” earned him the distinction of achieving the highest-selling digital debut by a male solo artist in the country music genre.
However, perhaps his most significant accomplishment is winning the CMA Triple Play award an astounding seven times. This prestigious award is presented to a songwriter who pens three No. 1 singles within 12 months, and Akins achieved this feat continually over the span of seven years. In April 2018, Akins was named Songwriter of the Year, and in September 2019, he was declared the Songwriter of the Decade by the Academy of Country Music. In July 2021, he was honored as an inductee into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame’s class of 2021.
Despite his already monumental success as both an artist and a songwriter, Rhett Akins continues to make significant contributions to the world of music, proving that his journey is far from over.
