Thomas Rhett On Instilling Kindness In His Kids As He Continues His Mission To Give Back [Exclusive]

With a new deluxe album out and another baby on the way, Thomas Rhett is entering an exciting new chapter of his life. But no matter how busy he gets, he continues to find ways to stay committed to using his platform to make a difference and as a result, he hopes to instill those same values in his children.

Lately, Thomas Rhett has given back through his year-long partnership with Hardee’s on the “The Year of Goodness” campaign. The initiative is all about shining a light on kindness and supporting communities nationwide. Rhett noted that between his longstanding history with the fast-food restaurant chain and the fact that he aligns with the values if the company, he felt strongly about jumping on this opportunity.

“I’ve done a lot of brand partnerships and I think for me, the first thing I’m trying to look at is do we align on a value level? And Hardee’s has kind of been that way for me since I was a kid,” Rhett explained to Country Now. “It’s something that I grew up eating. My dad would take me and my sister multiple days a week before school. And on hunting trips, it was kind of our kind of go-to. And so it kind has always been a part of my life.”

Rhett helped launch the campaign last year with an epic University of Georgia themed tailgate that took place in a Hardee’s parking lot outside Athens. The event welcomed Rhett alongside local first responders, entertainers, football players and family, all in an effort to raise money for hurricane relief and benefit the Atlanta-based nonprofit Caring For Others. 

Since then, the partnership has continued to highlight the values Rhett and the brand both share by giving back to the community, highlighting the power of storytelling and setting up various activations like helping shelter puppies find forever homes.

“Being from Georgia and having so many family members that lived down there that were affected by that hurricane, it was one of those things that it was like an immediate yes for me,” he added. “And knowing that we were going to do a couple things like this through the whole year, the partnership just felt very organic and kind of felt like things that I probably would’ve already done had I not been in the partnership. And so it is been a really fun year and just been a really cool way to use my platform just to raise awareness for good things in kind of a heavy world.”

Acting As A Role Model For His Family

The Georgia native’s positive efforts go beyond his work with Hardee’s. At home, he makes it a priority to be a role model for his kids, teaching them the value of giving back and showing that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a big difference in the world.

He shared that he and his wife, Lauren, have turned their morning school drives into a time to encourage their four daughters to “be a blessing for somebody” each day. And it seems those lessons have started to sink in as he says the girls are beginning to understand and put those values into practice.

“I’ve even started to get teacher reports back emails of our teacher saying, ‘Hey, Willa Gray noticed that a girl didn’t know where her class was and so Willa Gray walked her to her class’ and ‘Ada James going and sharpening somebody’s pencil,’” he shared. “And so I think for me, my kids need to see me being a blessing so that they know how to do that as they walk through life. And Lauren and I always make it our mission to find any way to help anyone in need…I think you have to live by example.”

A New Baby On The Way

The couple is currently parents to four daughters – Willa Gray, Ada James, Lennon and Lillie Carolina. But a recent announcement has revealed that they have a fifth child on the way and Rhett explained he is overjoyed knowing that by March, they will have a baby in the house once again.

“I think from doing it four times, I’m actually genuinely excited to have a baby in our house again. I never thought I would miss it because when you’re in it, it’s hard. But I actually genuinely am excited for the late-night rocking chairs, and I kind of miss the baby camera set up beside the bed, just humming water noises as I sleep.”

Until their welcome their new little one, Rhett says he and his wife are “soaking up” every minute of the remaining time as a family of six.

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“About A Woman (Deluxe)” Coming Soon

Meanwhile, the country star is also preparing for the release of his 25-track About A Woman (Deluxe) project. Throughout the summer he has continued to share new songs from the album, but on September 26, fans will get to hear the final set of heartfelt tunes – “Water,” “Chapter 10” and “On a River.”

The collection also features his 24^th No. 1, “After All The Bars Are Closed” as well as several star-studded collaborations including “Ain’t A Bad Life” featuring Jordan Davis, “What Could Go Right” featuring Lanie Gardner, “Old Tricks” with Blake Shelton, “Small Town Girls” featuring Tucker Wetmore and “Somethin’ Bout A Woman” featuring Teddy Swims.

Better In Boots Tour Marks Rhett’s Favorite Run Yet

Rhett is currently on the road for his BETTER IN BOOTS TOUR that continues bringing his heartfelt stories and powerful performances to amphitheaters and arenas across the country through early fall. While he didn’t think it would be possible to feel this way, Rhett told us this has been his favorite year on the road in his entire career.

“After 14 years of touring, after getting to play all kinds of venues, opening for people, headlining spots, I kind of thought after 15 years it would just become a thing that you do. But my band and I this year were like, ‘Hey, let’s not just go into this autopilot. Let’s get in there and rehearse the crap out of the show and really bring something new that fans have really not experienced from us.’”

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The tour included a milestone sold-out show at Boston’s Fenway Park that helped raise the bar for the remainder of the trek, and he is set to return to Fontainebleau Las Vegas for two nights in October.

“I feel like this is the beginning of a new chapter for me and the boys out on the road that we’re just kind of just really excited about. So it’s been all in all a really, really successful big year,” he added.

A full list of Thomas Rhett’s remaining 2025 tour dates can be found on his website.