“Sixteen,” “Look What God Gave Her” feted
By Preshias Harris
It was party time for Thomas Rhett (TR) and his co-writers on October 9 as they celebrated his twelfth and thirteenth No. 1 hits, “Sixteen” and “Look What Gave Her.” “Look” was written by Thomas Rhett along with his father Rhett Akins, Julian Bunetta, John Ryan, Jacob Kasher and Ammar Malik. Thomas co-produced the song with Dann Huff and Julian Bunetta, so it really was a group effort. It is the first single from Rhett’s fourth studio album, Center Point Road. “Sixteen” was penned by Thomas Rhett, Joe London and Sean Douglas.
And how many No. 1 songs have been written by a father and son?! In a way, it was destined to be. Growing up as the son of a successful singer-songwriter, he was immersed in the world of music as the son of Rhett Akins. The family moved from Valdosta, Georgia to Nashville when Thomas was still an infant and he grew up knowing his dad’s friends such as Tim McGraw and Brooks & Dunn. He did give a shout out to Tracy Lawrence, one of his favorites growing up country.
“Look What God Gave Her” was certified Gold by the RIAA for 500,000 units in combined sales and streams. It followed his previous single and No. 1 hit, “Sixteen,” a cut on his previous album Life Changes that gave Thomas a total of five Number Ones on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.
Linking L.A. with Nashville
I said to Rhett Akins, “I watched you start in Country and I’m watching you, Thomas, create your mark in Country music history.” Turning to Thomas, I asked him to tell me about working with his co-writers and how he chose the songs to get to Center Point Road. Looking at Thomas sitting with his co-writers, I commented that they all looked like family. I asked him and his co-writers what it was like, creating these songs together. Continue reading “Thomas Rhett and co-writers celebrate two No. 1s”