The Academy of Country Music announced on Tuesday that Rhett Akins is the recipient of the ACM Songwriter of the Decade Award. In a surprise backstage presentation during his son Thomas Rhett's Very Hot Summer Tour stop at the United Center in Chicago, Akins was awarded with the honor by ACM top brass among family members. He is the second recipient of the seven all-new ACM Decade Awards, following Miranda Lambert and team being honored with ACM Song of the Decade for "The House That Built Me."

Akins won ACM Songwriter of the Year in 2017 and was nominated in the same category in 2011 and 2013.

“With 30 #1 hits, 36 BMI Awards, and at least one #1 in each year of this decade, we are proud to present the ACM Songwriter of the Decade Award to Rhett Akins!” said Ed Warm, Academy of Country Music Chairman.

Pictured above celebrating the family business with The ACM: (L-R) Ed Warm; RAC Clark, ACM Interim Executive Director; Sonya Akins; Rhett Akins; Lauren Akins; Willa Gray Akins; Ada James Akins; Thomas Rhett