But the opposite is also true: Trump supporters want nothing to do with those voting for Biden. I was like, 'Well screw that I'm not doing that!' As I watch so many people fighting for equality for all, it fills my heart," he told me. As I've listened and learned, I've realized its our responsibility and privilege to use our voices to establish what we as human beings with beating hearts want to see in this country for not only ourselvesbut our friends, neighbors, strangers, and future generations.". Thats where VHS began, on acoustic guitar, before they decided to turn up the synths and let things get wild. Thomas and Lauren both posted their thoughts on Instagram. "I picked up a business major, wanting to do something in sales, but I found out I had to take an Excel spreadsheet class. Meanwhile, in the distantly related but far more niche world of bluegrass, identity politics had a real impact. Sign up for daily stories delivered to your inbox. 2023 Rolling Stone, LLC. The contemporary music program was designed to have no gap between the classroom and the professional music industry, Peacock explained. Then came 2016, the election year that changed everything. Katherine M. Hertlein, Ph.D., a professor with the Couple and Family Therapy program within the University of Nevada, Las Vegas's School of Medicine said shes seen quite a bit of discord among couples concerning politics, even among those on the same side. What then, can people who are partnered with perhaps even married to people with opposing views do to make it work? He and wife Lauren Akins are parents to three daughters Willa Gray, Ada James and Lennon Love, who was born in February and there's no doubting that Rhett's golden birthday will be filled with a whole lot of love. The others are partisans married to independents, Hersh wrote of the findings in an article published by FiveThirtyEight. During the class, Rhett explained that although he is blessed to get to pursue his dream for a living, he and Lauren truly believe that they have been given this platform for more than just entertaining and writing hit-songs. One way they do this is through connecting students with artists who are currently in the industry, such as singer/songwriter Thomas Rhett. | 02/29/2016. So you are saying if VHS had a fiddle, then youre good? It was like everything was flowing out for a reason.". In a recent interview with Audacys Rob + Holly, the country superstar was asked if he has a fear of being canceled as he and. Even so, it still sounds little like anything that someone worried about genres would classify as country. Rhett? They dont have the luxury of choosing to address racism and inequality. People are gonna have their opinion about whatever I say or think, and thats completely fine, you dont have to agree with me. Now country artists are using their platforms to draw attention to the plague that is racial inequality in America. Its all created a bit of pressure for Rhett, whose fans now know everything from the names of his children to Laurens likes and dislikes, to where they might be on vacation at any given moment. I was struck by the way that artists across the country and Americana scenesin which rootedness, stability, and preservation are very much core valuesconveyed anxiety about the tenuousness of attachments in some of the years more memorable songs. The organization also led the couple to their daughter Willa Gray, who they adopted from Uganda. Politics would be something that would be discussed later on. And if its me, then thats fine, Aldean exclaimed. Thomas Rhett John Shearer. For example, As a Black woman I feel that lawmakers should continue to pass bills to make it illegal to discriminate against hairstyles and textures. In an interracial relationship, the partner who benefits most from privilege may want to be curious about what this stance means to their partner. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The Macon singer previously shared that he will never apologize for his political beliefs, and it seems hes sticking to it. Past Events. Taylor Swift, arguably musics biggest star but who still has her roots in country, tweeted a long thread denouncing Confederate statues. All rights reserved. His growth has had a significant impact, as well, on his relationship with his wife. "My sincere recommendation is that those who are banking on this 'projection' to be 'written in stone' save yourselves the embarrassment of losing yet again to not only the justice system but the very core of what the United States of America is all about," Schneider wrote on Facebook. When he was younger, his dad would bring him on stage during his own shows, with Rhett taking over the drums during his dad's encore. Because you've got a lot of work to do if you haven't figured it out by the time you're 80!" But what matters is they are trying. Bryan, who's marking his fifth year hosting the show, cracked. And let's try to compromise here and try to figure it out. We have a long way to go but it is clear we can never go back to the way things were., If things are truly going to change and get better in this country, more is required of us all. If theres something I want to say, something I feel like I want to address, then Ill do that, Aldean began to tell Rob + Holly. I'm feeling relieved. I know my fans want to hear songs about [my wife] Lauren, and songs about my kids. All Rights Reserved. Hes just as keen on 808s as he is pedal steel, if not more, and hes downright obsessed with Bruno Mars (I think I watched his Super Bowl performance at least 100 times on YouTube). We are going to make this happen.'". The singer has been a trailblazer in the genre,. The song echoes a reality that the Mickey Guytons and Jimmie Allens of the world live with every moment of every day. Thomas Rhett and crew performed at PNC Music Pavilion on Friday night as a part of their 'Very Hot Summer' tour. The country star is launching his "Bring the Bar to You Tour" on June 17 and headed to over 30 cities. 2023 Music Mayhem. You're a husband. Posting on social media is a nice gesture, but as Mickey rightfully pointed out to me, we have a long road ahead in this journey, Its been a beautiful thing watching the country music community coming together to join the fight against racism. It is very evident to me that the Lord is just like, hey you dont want to do this sometimes, but youre just gonna have to suck it up, because this is what youre supposed to be doing, and so just keep doing it, Lauren explained. I get scared when I think about my daughters and what kind of world they will be growing up in and how my JOB as a father is to show them how to lead with love in the face of hate. Political views He might be Republican, but has never said so. or political. . In a recent interview with Audacys Rob + Holly, the country superstar was asked if he has a fear of being canceled as he and his wife, Brittany Aldean, express their political views on social media daily. His marriage struggles behind him, the dad of three discovers that pouring himself into his family life is the fuel he needed for his new double album, Country Again. 147 Million Orphans aims to counter the global orphan crisis and provide care and supplies to those who need it, and Rhett and wife Lauren Akins have been involved with the organization for years. She is so good about keeping me humble and I think for us, if we could rub that off on other artists, songwriters and people that we have to meet on a random day, then I think that is something we try to do, and invest in those people.. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. We desperately need that. Political Leaders; Movies & TV; Famous Musicians. or redistributed. Market data provided by Factset. "It was just all brand-new, which meant there was a learning curve." Admitting they were both . 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Ever since, he says, he's been measuring his priorities on a brand-new scale: "One day I'm gonna look back and go, well, when I was 31, was I putting everything that I had into music and leaving scraps for my kids and my wife or did I put enough into being a good dad and a good husband?". 1 hit at country radio, saidhe is gratified by the country music response. In 2016, Eitan Hersh, a political scientist and associate professor at Tufts University near Boston, collaborated with Yair Ghitza, the chief scientist at Catalist, a data services company in Washington, D.C., and found that 30% of married households contain a mismatched partisan pair. In a recent interview with Audacy's Rob + Holly, the country superstar was asked if he has a fear of being canceled as he and his wife, Brittany Aldean, express their political views on social media daily. which has well over 100 million views on YouTube. Rhett and Akins also shared two other daughters: Ada James, 2, and 3-month-oldLennon Love. A post shared by Jason Aldean (@jasonaldean). All rights reserved. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. 2 The waterfront guest cottage is a small, but exceptionally cozy space with a fireplace, a breakfast area with floor-to-ceiling windows and a perfectly-sized sleeping nook. "I think I was just on this mission for more all the time. Along with Willa Gray and baby Lennon, Rhett and Lauren are also parents to daughter Ada James, who was born in August 2017. Watch the full episode of People Features: Thomas Rhett on PeopleTV.com or on the PeopleTV app. He chuckles in self-awareness. I'm thinking of Big K.R.I.T.'s double album, . I'm a songwriter 1st, so getting recognized with a. "My wife is one of those people that never wants to be in the spotlight or in videos, but it was inevitable for her to be in this one because I wrote the song for her and about her," Rhett told PEOPLE of the clip. "Just being vulnerable with each other," he says, "has made our marriage tenfold better. Hailey Bieber See her post here. The First Time. A nine-year-old Chris Tomlin once told his dad that when he grew up, he'd be one of two things: A professional baseball player or a country music singer. It's not the only state-related promise to American voters. flipped the vantage of Dolly Partons Jolene,, pitying of a guy whose identity is bound up in the past, self-pitying of a guy who dismantled his loving home with his negligence, how constricting gender roles can make a prison of a partnership, dwelled on the inevitability of death separating lifelong lovers, cautionary tale of a mans faithlessness making his daughter resent him, meaningfully represent his background and experiences, her mothers clear-eyed insistence on self-knowledge and self-love, recorded his exquisite debut in the wake of his mothers death, more mellowed-out, scaled-back, zoomed-in mode of expression, encouraging more conscientious masculinity, hear the formats foremost centrist, Luke Bryan, dwell on the elasticity of that idea, treasured the way that it celebrated complex intersections of identities. Lauren Akins writes about marriage and family with Thomas Rhett in memoir 'Live in Love' Aug. 18, 202003:50 Both the coronavirus pandemic and intensified unrest around racial injustice have. Lauren, who grew up in Nashville, first met Rhett in the first grade, and explained how she has somewhat put her career as a nurse on hold to support Rhett and his dreams. Both the coronavirus pandemic and intensified unrest around racial injustice have amplified the importance of politics in dating, said Moore. My little snow bunnies are ready to play ???? Other early cuts included songs for Joe Nichols and Scotty McCreery. What moved me most was hearing him sort through feelings of responsibility and exploitation as a Southern black man in the rap industry, striving to meaningfully represent his background and experiences. While on campus, Rhett studied organizational communications and was a member of the Tau Phi social club. It suddenly hits you like thunder, and youre gonna wanna go back., Rhett spent two years working on the songs for Center Point Road while touring extensively, and calls this album his most personal, built on experiences from growing up on you guessed it Center Point Road in Hendersonville. It was just meant to put a smile on your face.. When I witnessed the horrific murder of George and think about the mistreatment of other black men and women in America, I am heartbroken and angry, he wrote. Lauren Akins, Thomas Rhett's wife, is a reluctant author. All rights reserved. On Center Point Road, hes matured enough to know that the only real mistake we make as kids is wishing for time to pass way too quickly. Hypocrites!," he wrote. Im always trying to figure out where country music is heading, and this record has that perfect balance of pop-leaning progressive and the songwriting side, which is the truest side, he says. Because he's never made an explicit endorsement or discussed which party he supports, it's impossible to say exactly where Chris stands politically. And I'm like, 'Uh, 23.' Scroll through below to see inside Thomas Rhett's jaw-dropping rustic retreat. As she watched Thomas Rhett frantically try to fill his days with work projects, she posed a simple question: "Why don't you be productive here?" He has received four Grammy Award . If hes showing up to an awards show or a television appearance like Saturday Night Live, hes bringing along a brass band (at the minimum). Akins has also teamed up with his son to write, with the duo penning Rhett tracks "Star of the Show," "Playing with Fire" and others. Morgan Wallen and Chase Rice questioned the difference between outdoor celebrations of Biden's victory during the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and packed live music performances. Diplo Releases Swamp Savant Project: Listen To His Collabs With Lily Rose, Parker McCollum & More, Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello Breakup: We Will Continue To Be Best Friends, BREAKING: Thomas Rhett & Wife Lauren Akins Welcome Fourth Child, Soulful Vocal Duo The War And Treaty Pay Homage To Love With New Album Lovers Game, Ryan Griffin Shares How Rascal Flatts Jay DeMarcus Encouraged Him While Recording Heart to Break, Morgan Wallens New Album One Thing At A Time Explores The Highs & Lows Of His Life. In a batshit time like this, the opportunity to collectively process the past 12 months of music-making is an especially welcome thing. All contents But I also have a voice and an opinion just like everybody else and there are times when I feel like I dont have a choice but to speak up or say something, because I feel like nobody else in the industry or not a lot of people in our industry do that for fear, and I feel like somebody has got to be that guy. Its a huge blessing to be creative and to get to sing songs for a living, but at the same time, we know for a fact that we have been put in this position to be on the road and open for certain artists, and maybe only have one conversation with that artist that may have completely changed their life, Rhett explained. Rhett is named after his father, Thomas Rhett Akins, Sr., who goes by Rhett Akins. We cannot relent in the fight against Americas oldest sin. 7), when a projected win in Pennsylvania cleared former VicePresidentJoe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris' path to the White House, country stars and Americana artists from all ends of the political spectrum have been vocal on social media. Thanks for including me in the conversation again this year. TOUR. "I'm jumping up and down, Tyler's giving me a bear hug and Hayley's running out of their room and I'm like, 'Thomas Rhett is not even here!'" A place to discuss or snark about celebrities, country singers, and influencers in Nashville! Good and bad cops:Haunting question after George Floyd killing: Should good cops have stopped a bad cop? Luke Bryan, Angaleena Presley, Keith Urban, and Miranda Lambert. On Sunday, May 31, Thomas Rhett took to Instagram to share his . The two adopted their eldest daughterfrom an orphanage in Uganda in 2017 and in the midst of the nationwide protests condemning the police killing of George Floyd, they said they wanted Willato be "proud" of her "brown skin. Market data provided by Factset. Nashville, TN 37204 "I don't know what it means to Brett, but for me, that was a dream come true," Rhett told Country Countdown USA of the gig. It cant be about how life is just amazing all the time, because that just is not reality. A post shared by Brittany Aldean (@brittanyaldean). pic.twitter.com/0Z1fLUgY3m. It cant be Die a Happy Man every time. Its cool to get to support him, and its obvious God has put him in this industry for a reason.. Common and Offset The duo performed at a Biden rally. Talking about bringing this country together. You know what I'm saying? Your partner probably didnt hitch their star to this candidate you dont like because they believe terrible things about you and the world, or because they just dont care. But the connection between the personal and the political isnt playing out the same way in country as it is in some other sectors of the pop music landscape. "I'm not proud of it, but my naivety has kept me sheltered through a lot of my young adult life. To know their worth and value as not only women but human beings., He concluded, "I stand with you, I stand with George and his family and all those who have faced racism. he recalled. Her latest article is about the conservative activism and influence of Ginni Thomas, wife of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Luke Combs Readies New EP 'The Prequel', Rhett, unsurprisingly, has been getting down to Lil Nas Xs Old Town Road, particularly at the gym. Its been four years, so I can say that now, Rhett says, sitting upstairs at a Nashville studio with a hearty amount of face scruff and a bag of jalapeno Cheetos nearby. Its the only way change can truly happen. Lauren told PEOPLE, sharing that the group quickly ran to the gym, where Rhett was working out, to share the happy news. We have navigated forms of racism directlyand while there is mostly overwhelming support and love for our family, sometimes there is just the opposite. Until I have an idea that is better than that song, I dont know what to say.. Travis Tritt has become as constant a conservative political voice on social media as his late buddy Charlie Daniels' team. Relationship experts discuss how to navigate dating and relationships in our charged political times. Music labels like Universal, Warner,Sony, BMG, and Big Machine closed their offices for the day and instructed their employees to disconnect from work and learn more about the racial and social injustices happening in our country. And he, like most other humans, is also in love with Kacey Musgraves Golden Hour and how she was able to push country music into more unexpected corners, particularly on High Horse. If you record in a genre, then you are recording in a box and thats not how music was supposed to be made, he says. ", THOMAS RHETT EXPLAINS WHY HE HIT BACK AT SOCIAL MEDIA TROLLS MOCKING HIS WIFE LAUREN, But, she said she wanted to make sure now, and in the future, that Willa knew"that I am HER mother who stands up not only for her, but for every single person who shares her beautiful brown skin. But with the release of her memoir, Live in Love, in May 2020, Akins . This creates an atmosphere of finding similarities and shared values. Legal Statement. Its a constant presence lurking around every interaction they have. I've never seen more fruit from any other practice that we've done.". At some point its gotten to where if youre a conservative in this business, youre not allowed to speak, Aldean continued. Rhett has become a major name in country music over the past few years, with the star having officially graduated from opener to headliner, earning a slew of No. THOMAS RHETT EXPLAINS WHY HE HIT BACK AT SOCIAL MEDIA TROLLS MOCKING HIS WIFE LAUREN But, she said she wanted to make sure now, and in the future, that Willa knew "that I am HER mother who. No. Amber Artis, a professional matchmaker in Richmond, Virginia, with over 20 years in the field told TODAY that shes observed a similar trend operating along the same timeline. Carey Hart's 'Juicy Booty' Busted Through His Suit Pants Before He and Pink Left for the AMAs And Lizz Wright told me that she felt so alienated by the ugly, reactionary discourse that the presidential election stoked in her native South that she set out on a quest to restore her spiritual connection to the people and places she once knew. For all of February, when the alarm sounded at 5 a.m., the couple got up so they could have some precious togetherness before their daughters' day began. Country Star Retiring, Going Into Ministry, Luke Bryan Dishes on 'American Idol' Judges Filling for Coronation-Bound Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, 'Songland' Winner Griffen Palmer Details Debut Album 'Unlearn' (Exclusive), Morgan Wallen's Team Addresses Accusations He Was Too Drunk to Play Canceled Mississippi Concert, Why Miranda Lambert's Tuesday Was a Huge Day for Her. Photos by Rick Diamond/Getty Images, Rick Diamond/Getty Images, Shannon Finney/Getty Images, and Rick Diamond/Getty Images for George Strait. regarding the outcome of this Posted by John Schneider onSunday, November 8, 2020. Did You Know Jelly Roll Has A Food Truck That Sells Jelly Roll Doughnuts? ", The most hopeful and most calming thing for me is the way both @CNN and @FoxNews are speaking intelligently, compassionately, and focused on moving this country forward for all Americans. ", Akins admitted she's been "nervous" to speak out"because of how some people believe that I as a white mother amundeserving or incapableof raising a black daughter. One of the highlights of 2017 for me was trekking to San Francisco for Bluegrass Pride, a series of events spearheaded by queer pickers and allies over the course of Pride Week. "I feel like my terrible shroom trip finally ended today and a kind friend was like 'here's some water and an unlimited stream ofOfficeepisodes. I stand with my wife and my daughters. Worsham and Isbell each also injected self-conscious into narratives of Southern belonging. ", Over analyzing the set list since 1996. This is Rhetts wheelhouse, a land where the breezy summer jam reigns but a love song doused in heavy high-school nostalgia is never too far away. We want to hear it. She is ours. When he first started out, Thomas says, his dad was his musical hero, and he leaned on him to come up with radio hits. Thomas Rhett has worked his way through the country music ranks for the past 10 years, becoming one of the most successful artists in the genre. Or 'You're getting married, and you're 22? ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. And while it's hardly the first time he's approached . Haunting question after George Floyd killing: Should good cops have stopped a bad cop? As reported last week, Jason Isbell teased a covers album of Georgia artists if Biden wins the still-contested Peach State. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. We are not letting this go.. Lacey Klotz Once he began rebalancing his life, he says, he also discovered something unexpected: pouring himself into his family was refueling him musically. All rights reserved. CNN . They're like, 'Oh, you're a baby.' Thomas Rhett (Akins) is a Lipscomb alumnus who attended the university from 2008-2011 before signing a record deal with Big Machine Records in Nashville. In 2016, they organized a benefit concert, enlisting Dierks Bentley and Florida Georgia Line to take the stage alongside Rhett, with the event raising more than $250,000 for 147. So when Swift recently made her first political statemen t, supporting Tennessee candidate Phil Bredesen in his run for the U.S. Senate, as well as encouraging people to vote during the upcoming elections, Ballerini had nothing but praise for the superstar. But it wasnt always this way. Privacy | Terms | Disclaimer | Site Credit. It's my favorite place to eat. 7), when a projected win in Pennsylvania cleared former Vice President Joe Bidenand his running mate Kamala Harris' path to the White House, country stars and. The goal is to find ways that you will navigate the major issues without tearing down the other persons character., My favorite phrase that I encourage my clients to ask is, How can I be curious versus furious about my partners views? said McNeil. Because of that fear, it can be a lot easier to choose silence, but today Im choosing to speak., I have no clue what it feels like to be profiled by authorities, treated negatively or have my life threatened because of the color of my skin. Inside Thomas Rhett and Wife Lauren Akins' Sweet Love Story, Thomas Rhett's Wife Lauren Akins Says Her Memoir Shows the 'Imperfections of Our Life': Read an Excerpt, Thomas Rhett Is Crowned Male Artist of the Year at 2021 ACM Awards: 'This Is Absolutely Incredible', Thomas Rhett Reveals How His Girls Helped Him Choose His Tracklist: 'Kids Have a Really Good Read', Thomas Rhett Says He's a Proud 'Girl Dad' to His 3 Daughters: 'They're Beautiful and Unique', Tom Schwartz and Katie Maloney's Relationship Timeline, BRELAND Makes the Most of Unlikely Country Stardom: 'I Belong Here. [Old Town Road] feels like it is part of our format now.. Im never going to beat Eric Churchs Three Year Old, anyway, he adds. : @fordfairchild. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. But what version do you give them?, Everyone says when youre younger, its gonna go fast, he sings on Center Point Road, a duet with Kelsea Ballerini. "If there was suspicious activity that potentially compromised even one vote for Biden? Is every response perfect? Rest In Peace, George. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. He mentioned that one way he stays grounded is through the support of his wife and close friends and family. While on campus, Rhett studied organizational communications and was a member of the Tau Phi social club. Scan this QR code to download the app now. Music. In the past, country performers tended to make their music feel personal, regardless of who wrote it, by convincingly inhabiting personas and extravagantly telegraphing emotions, so for younger acts to place greater emphasis on individuality and particularity is a huge change. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. But for some reason when you tell people you're 31, they're like, 'Oh yeah, you're 31.' I started noticing a couple of years ago that millennial acts were introducing a cooler, more casual tone of voice to the format, and by this year, a slew of acts, including Kelsea Ballerini, RaeLynn, Danielle Bradbery, and Walker Hayes, were redrawing the contours of country-pop as a more mellowed-out, scaled-back, zoomed-in mode of expression. "Then we all reconvene afterward and sort some of that stuff out. View All. Probably, they care very much and they support their candidate because that person resonated with their values., The ideal way to talk about political differences as a couple involves both partners sitting down and talking about the dreams and goals you have in common, said Dana McNeil, Ph.D., a licensed marriage family therapist in San Diego. Rhett loves the Southern fast-food chain Zaxby's so much, he even starred in a series of commercials for the chain along with fellow country star Brett Eldredge. The title track, in particular, "kind of tied up everything for me," he says. When communication reaches a point where either partner feels silenced or even traumatized, this can cause irreparable damage to the fabric of connection. He knows he still hasn't figured it all out yet. see all. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Thats just one of those songs that was never meant to change the world, he says. For Rhett, who already shares much of his personal life on social media, that sort of analysis gets trickier when you are already existing in front of a captive audience: Rhetts wife Lauren Akins now has, as Rhett points out on Life Changes, her own verified Instagram account. The country star, who is co-hosting the show along with Dierks Bentley, claims the ACM Awards will unite Democrats and Republicans. Home Team Tour 23 Pre-Sale Info. Rhett still loves conjuring the good ol days, but his years on the road (and out of college) have given him enough perspective to realize everything is ephemeral. "After much personal reflection, band discussion, prayer, and many honest conversations with some of our closest black friends and colleagues, we have decided to drop the word 'Antebellum' from our name and move forward as Lady A, the nickname our fans gave us almost from the start., In an industry where your name is your brand and in a format that has struggled in the past with issues related to race and equality, Lady As actions represent a real leadership moment for the country music community. Photo illustration by Slate. @CountryMusic. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to submit the form, See Photos Of Jason Aldean & Wife Brittany Aldeans Winter Luxurious Vacation: Straight Out Of A Hallmark Movie, Maren Morris, Cassadee Pope Call Out Jason Aldeans Wife Brittany Aldean: Its So Easy To Not Be A Scumbag, See Photos From Jason Aldean & Wife Brittany Aldeans Epic, Star-Studded Nashville Mansion Pool Party, Jason Aldean Celebrates 27th No. latest feed. Indeed, its lyrics are a roadmap to what's most important to him, embodied in the word "country," and it ends with this poignant coda: "I saw the light, I found the way home / Thank you, Lord, amen / Man, it feels good to be country again. Ann, you asked how I saw notions of home rewritten this year. Music Mayhem brings fans closer to their favorite artists with exclusive in-depth interviews, breaking news updates, and more.

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