Over the last year, country star Thomas Rhett has experienced many Life Changes -- hence the title of his most recent album -- and his life is about to change again, because for the second year in a row, the 27-year-old has won the iHeartRadio Music Award for Country Artist of the Year.
This year, Thomas was nominated in the category along with country superstars including Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, and Sam Hunt.
In his acceptance speech, Thomas explained of winning Country Artist of the Year:
"Wow, Country Artist of the Year. That is insane. Thank you guys so much for voting for that and voting me in there, because there’s so many great country artists out there that also just deserve this completely. And so I’m blown away that you have given this to me. Thank you so much to the iHeart team, you guys have become great friends of mine, and also great supporters of my music. Thank you so much to my Valory squad who represents all my songs and gets my songs played on the radio. And thank you so much to the fans who come out to the shows and support us day in, day out. To my wife, who helps me pick these songs that go on the records, and tell me when I’m doing something dumb in a show and how I can fix it on the next one. And thank you to the Lord for allowing me to do this crazy career and this life. It’s been a real honor. Thank you guys so much, this is really cool."
In 2017, Thomas released his latest album Life Changes, which became his first number one album. Back in September, during his iHeartCountry Album Release Party, Rhett called Life Changes the "most fun" he's ever had making a record, and his most autobiographical. He said, "It was just fun. I think when you start making records out of fear, or out of pressure to to meet a certain standard, I think that's when records get strange. But when you make them, and it's actually fun for everybody, if I'm having fun, I would hope that you have fun listening to it as well."
In addition to releasing a new album, Thomas also had some other life changes happening. He welcomed two new additions into his family, after his wife gave birth to their daughter Ada James, and adopting Willa Gray from Uganda just a few months earlier.
Thomas is also up for country song of the year for his hit “Unforgettable.” He is nominated along with Sam Hunt’s “Body Like A Back Road,” Jon Pardi’s “Dirt On My Boots,” Luke Combs’s “Hurricane,” and Dustin Lynch’s “Small Town Boy.”
Fans can tune in to the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards on March 11th, live on TBS, TNT and truTV at 8pm ET/5pm PT, as well as on iHeartMedia radio stations across the country and on the iHeartRadio app. Hosted by Hailey Baldwin and DJ Khaled, the show will feature live performances from Ed Sheeran, Cardi B, Bon Jovi Maroon 5, Camila Cabello, and Charlie Puth, with more to be announced.
Also, print out the nominee ballot to play along at home. Make your predictions and then watch the show live at 8PM ET / 5PM PT on TBS, TNT or truTV. See the ballot HERE.
Congratulations to Thomas!