It is evident that the era of rock and roll greats such as Guns N’ Roses, AC/DC, and Led Zeppelin are fading. However, the passionate fans these legends created are still hungry for fist pumping guitar solos and rhythm driving bass drums. This desire for rock in roll in the twenty-first century is being adopted by the most popular radio music format in the United States: the country music industry (Kelly & Hunt 2016). In the words of Steven Tyler from Aerosmith, “Country is the new rock ‘n’ roll. There’s no (radio) format (for rock); no one is playing it” (Ruggieri 2016). While country music as a whole is acquiring the rock and roll industry, there is one young and rising artist who isn’t yet headlining the shows or filling the stadiums like “the greats,” but has the potential to make a profound impact on both country and rock and roll. Thomas Rhett, the twenty-six-year-old son of famed country artist Rhett Akins, is capable of making a profound impact on music and being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame of 2041, for he is versatile, young, and very talented (Silva 2016). Thomas Rhett recently released an album, and has had very promising results, charting many singles ("Thomas Rhett - Biography"). However, Rhett is rather new in the country scheme, which is flooded with talented artists attempting to capitalize on the new found interests from crossing-over rock and roll fans. However, Rhett differs from them in one crucial aspect, versatility. This trait is exemplified through the mixture of songs he has produced. Many have an either rock-country or pop-country feel, allowing him to appeal to a wide range of listeners. Tracks that Rhett has produced are currently making an impact on the metamorphous of rock and roll to country, for he incorporates many of these aspects into his music. Being raised listening to rock and roll legends like Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones, Rhett is able to use his versatility to modify the format of country music and draw the attention of rock fans. Thomas Rhett has definitely acquired a level of success in his early career; however, due to his age, Rhett still has many years ahead of him to influence country and rock music, and it is evident that he is here to stay. Rhett’s youth presents a very dynamic situation to listeners; he produces music that appeals to both the younger and older population. The aura of a twenty-six-year-old is appealing to youth, but his ability to create catchy and diverse tracks gains the respect of all country and rock listeners. Rhett’s age gives him the “Taylor Swift opportunity”, gaining the attention of media with ease and expressing his hybrid style of country music. Thomas Rhett’s age and
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Thomas Rhett also shares this attribute; however, he is not simply using it to produce his own fame. Rhett has written songs for renown country stars like Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line, showing that he has the ability to impact the music industry in numerous ways and making him a great future candidate for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Richards 2013). This skill that Rhett possesses allows him to attack the Hall of Fame from two angles, popularity and contribution, making him a horse to bet money
Thomas Rhett also shares this attribute; however, he is not simply using it to produce his own fame. Rhett has written songs for renown country stars like Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line, showing that he has the ability to impact the music industry in numerous ways and making him a great future candidate for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Richards 2013). This skill that Rhett possesses allows him to attack the Hall of Fame from two angles, popularity and contribution, making him a horse to bet money