Thomas Rhett never wastes an opportunity to thank those in the armed forces, thanks to Toby Keith. The father of four learned early on the importance of honoring those who serve, when out with Keith on his very first big tour.

“I got a really big dose of playing for military folks and retired vets when I was out on tour with Toby Keith,” Rhett shares. “That was my first year of touring, and so that was the first time I’d ever been introduced to playing for people like that. And when talking about our troops, it’s just one of those things where you’re very, very thankful for what they do for you.

“I think a lot of the time, most of the time, we take for granted living in a free country,” he continues. “And a lot of the time we don’t stop to think about who is actually protecting our freedom, because a lot of them technically aren’t in our country, they’re in other countries fighting for us so that other countries aren’t fighting against us.”

Rhett spoke about Keith’s influence when the “American Soldier” singer passed away earlier this year, from stomach cancer.

“It breaks my heart to hear about the passing of Toby Keith… I’ve known Toby since I was a kid,” Rhett wrote, sharing a photo of him as a child with his father, singer-songwriter Rhett Akins, with Keith. “He used to run around in the same circle as my dad. When I signed my first record deal in 2012, Toby was the very first person to take me on tour… I watched his show every single night just trying to soak up as much as I could. I learned so much about how to write songs, how to perform, and how to entertain from Toby Keith. I am so honored to say that I got to share the stage with him. Toby – I hope your soul rests easy brother.”

It breaks my heart to hear about the passing of Toby Keith… I’ve known Toby since I was a kid. He used to run around in the same circle as my dad. When I signed my first record deal in 2012, Toby was the very first person to take me on tour… I watched his show every single… pic.twitter.com/up6BqGe8MH

— Thomas Rhett (@ThomasRhett) February 6, 2024

 

Rhett currently has a Top 5 single with “Beautiful As You,” the debut single from Rhett’s latest About A Woman album, out now. The song, like all of the others on his new record, is a tribute to his wife, Lauren Akins, whom he wed in 2012.

“This is an anthem for everybody who feels like they out-kicked their coverage,” Rhett says of the song. “There was one day a couple years back when I was looking at my wife, and I was like, ‘Why in the world did you choose me?’ I get to be with someone who could easily be on the cover of a magazine, and I get to see her in all her forms – a partner, a mother, a friend, even a philanthropist.

“I just feel like I’ve got a first row seat at almost-perfection, if you will,” he adds. “And like the song says, ‘Seriously, what is somebody as amazing as you doing with somebody like me?’”

Rhett will kick off his Better in Boots Tour in 2025, with Tucker Westmore serving as direct support on all dates, with Dasha and The Castellows joining on select dates as well. Find all of Rhett’s music and upcoming shows, at ThomasRhett.com.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the ACM / Courtesy of Shock Ink