WATCH: Rhett Akins’ 4-Year-Old Son, Brody, Makes His Grand Ole Opry Debut

Does Rhett Akins have a second musically inclined son?

By

Madeleine O’Connell

| Posted on

April 3, 2024

at

7:06 pm

Share on:

Rhett Akins with Wife Sonya and Son, Brody; Photo Courtesy Instagram

Rhett Akins made an unforgettable family memory during his appearance at the Grand Ole Opry over the weekend. 

For a brief moment in his set, the country singer/songwriter stepped away from the mic and let his four-year-old son, Brody James, take the lead. Brody, who exhibited no signs of stage fright, sang his rendition of the Christian hymn, “Jesus Loves Me.” The young boy’s sweet vocals came to life as he proudly belted out the spiritual lyrics to the audience while his father watched from right behind him. 

Brody’s debut performance earned a round of coo’s from the crowd and also further proved that musical talent runs deep in the Akins family roots. 

Akins’ wife and Brody’s mom, Sonya, captured the adorable moment on video and shared it to socials with the caption, Brody’s debut at the Grand Ole Opry!! 🎤❤️❤️❤️.”

Brody Just Turned Four Years Old

The couple celebrated their son’s fourth birthday on March 13, with a colorful “Super Mario” themed party equipped with face painting, a stunning two-tiered cake, a custom bounce house, and a room full of friends and family. 

“BRODY!!! We had so much fun celebrating your 4th birthday!! 🎉🎈🎂🥳My little Mario!! ❤️we love you to the moon and back!! 😘,” Sonya wrote on Instagram alongside a carousel of photos from the fun-filled day. 

Akins Previously Made Opry History With First Son, Thomas Rhett

Thomas Rhett & Rhett Akins; Photo by Chris Hollo
Thomas Rhett & Rhett Akins; Photo by Chris Hollo

Akins’ memorable on-stage moment with Brody comes nearly three years after he made history in the same iconic venue with his other son, Thomas Rhett, whom he raised with his former wife, Paige Lankford. In the summer of 2021, he and the “Mamaw’s House” singer became the very first father and son to play the Opry on the same evening. That evening also marked the first time they performed on the Opry stage together. 

Rhett was first to take the stage, during which he delivered his 1995 hit, “That Ain’t My Truck” as well as “Boys ‘Round Here,” a No.1 track he wrote for Blake Shelton. Later on in his set, he delivered “Die A Happy Man,” “Country Again,” and “Sixteen.” 

Thomas Rhett then surprised the sold-out crowd by inviting his dad to join him on stage. Together, they sang a collaborative rendition of Rhett’s chart-topping hit, “What’s Your Country Song,” which the father and son penned together. 

“Do y’all understand how freakin’ cool this is right here? We are going to play a song we wrote together. It’s the first single off my latest album,” Thomas said to the audience.

Reminiscing On Their Journey Together As Songwriters

Thomas Rhett, Rhett Akins, Brody
Thomas Rhett, Rhett Akins, Brody

In the moment, his dad couldn’t help but reminisce on the fact that his son was just two years old when he started watching him play at the Opry. Having that unique experience from such a young age seemed to spark a passion for Thomas Rhett because by eight years old, the pair were already starting to write songs together. 

“This is unbelievable,” Rhett added. “You were over there [pointing to side of stage] at two years old watching me play. We’ve written songs in the kitchen since you were eight years old and now we are singing one we wrote together on the Grand Ole Opry that went to #1!”

The pair ended up earning a standing ovation from the packed crowd for their heartwarming performance. 

Now, nearly three decades later, the father and son have penned dozens of songs together, many of which have gone on to become hits. Some of the most recent tunes they have written together for Rhett’s catalog includes, “Half Of Me” (featuring Riley Green), “Bring The Bar,” “Slow Down Summer,” “Us Someday,” and “Somebody Like Me.”

Share on:

Madeleine O’Connell graduated from North Central College with a bachelors degree in Journalism and Broadcast Communications before deciding to pursue her studies further at DePaul University. There, she earned her masters degree in Digital Communication & Media Arts. O’Connell served as a freelance writer for over two years while also interning with the Academy of Country Music, SiriusXM and Circle Media and assisting with Amazon Music’s Country Heat Weekly podcast. In addition to Country Now, she has been published in American Songwriter, Music Mayhem, and Holler.Country. Madeleine O’Connell is a member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.