Thomas Rhett Reimagines ‘Georgia On My Mind’ For 2026 Masters
Listen to the country star’s rendition which arrives in support of ESPN’s coverage of the prestigious golf tournament.
By Nate Todd Mar 25, 2026 • 2:16 pm PDT
Thomas Rhett released a rendition of “Georgia On My Mind.” The country star recorded the song as part of ESPN’s official campaign for the 2026 Masters golf tournament, taking place April 9 – 12 at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia.
While originally written by Hoagy Carmichael/Stuart Gorrell in 1930 and released by Carmichael that same year, it is late Georgia native Ray Charles' 1960 rendering of “Georgia On My Mind” that is considered the definitive version. It hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1960 and it was Charles’ version that became the official state song of Georgia in 1979.
Willie Nelson also released “Georgia On My Mind” in 1978 on his standards record Stardust. Nelson’s version won a Grammy in 1979. Ray and Willie delivered a memorable performance of the song together in the mid-1980s.
Thomas Rhett is the latest artist to record “Georgia On My Mind.” Rhett is also a Georgia native and spoke about cutting the classic.
“Recording ‘Georgia On My Mind’ was a pretty surreal moment for me,” he said. “Being from Georgia, sports and music are both just in my blood. Obviously nobody can touch the original, but it meant a lot to me to be asked to honor both the song and tradition of the Masters.”
Listen to Thomas Rhett’s version of “Georgia On My Mind” below along with an in-studio video and ESPN’s promo featuring the song:
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