Rhett Akins is the ACM Songwriter of the Decade.
Akins was surprised with the award backstage during Thomas Rhett’s Very Hot Summer Tour at the United Center in Chicago, IL. He’s the first-ever recipient of the newly created award, which is one of seven new decade awards recently announced by the Academy of Country Music.
According to a press release, the ACM Songwriter of the Decade “recognizes a songwriter whose creative works have impacted country music over the decade. The factors to be considered are, but not limited to success of body of work at radio, commercial media, sales and streaming, creative integrity, artistic merit and ACM Award recognition.”
Akins has written a slew of hits for artists such as Blake Shelton, Thomas Rhett, Dustin Lynch and Jason Aldean. He also earned a few hits on his on as a solo artist and received his first-ever ACM nomination in 1997 for ACM Top New Male Vocalist category.
“With 30 No. 1 hits, 36 BMI Awards, and at least one No.1 in each year of this decade, we are proud to present the ACM Songwriter of the Decade Award to Rhett Akins!” Ed Warm, Academy of Country Music Chairman, said.
Previously announced ACM decade awards include ACM Song of the Decade, which was awarded to Miranda Lambert and songwriters Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin for “The House That Built Me,” and ACM Artist of the Decade, which was awarded to Jason Aldean earlier this year.
Winners in the remaining categories will be announced in the coming weeks.
