masters are getting a fresh musical moment on Monday, March 23, 2026 (ET), as country singer-songwriter Thomas Rhett releases his cover of “Georgia on My Mind” tied to ’s new campaign. The release lands days before the tournament begins, with the first round set for April 9 (ET) in Augusta, Georgia. Rhett, a Valdosta, Georgia native now living in Nashville, calls the recording “surreal” and says being asked to honor the song and the tradition mattered deeply to him.
What is happening now
The new version of “Georgia on My Mind” is out today, March 23, 2026 (ET), with Rhett featured as the voice of ’s new campaign set to debut this week. In a behind-the-scenes look at the session, Rhett records the standard with his band and producer Julian Bunetta, describing the pressure of touching a song so closely associated with the event and its imagery.
Rhett said the goal was durability and restraint, framing it as something he wants to look back on decades from now and feel he did “in a very classic way. ” He also described the immediate mental pictures the song triggers for him—Spanish moss, Magnolia Lane, and Amen Corner—tying the music directly to the course landmarks he associates with the tournament.
Immediate reactions from Rhett and key details
Rhett underscored the personal significance of the assignment, saying, “Recording ‘Georgia On My Mind’ was a pretty surreal moment for me. ” He added, “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. ”
In the behind-the-scenes segment, Rhett also captured the stakes plainly: “When you do a song like this, I think the first thought in your brain is ‘Don’t mess it up. ’” He described the benchmark he was chasing with one word: “Timeless. ”
Rhett also spoke about his own relationship with the event as a fan, noting a favorite staple: “I’m just such a fan of the pimento cheese sandwich at the Masters. ” He framed recording the song as a career milestone, saying it sits among the “pinnacles” for him.
Quick context: how this fits the tradition
The annual release of a new version of “Georgia on My Mind” ahead of the tournament has become a tradition ahead of the Masters. Since 2020, has selected a singer to record the anthem, and this year it is Thomas Rhett.
What’s next
The campaign featuring Rhett is set to debut this week (ET), with the tournament’s first round beginning April 9 (ET) in Augusta. Beyond this week’s spotlight, Rhett’s schedule turns immediately to months of touring, including opening dates on Morgan Wallen’s stadium run, three Wembley Stadium shows with Luke Combs, and his own arena tour through October.
For now, the immediate focus stays on the release itself: masters fans will hear Rhett’s “Georgia on My Mind” as the new campaign rolls out this week (ET), pairing a familiar song with a new voice just before April’s opening tee shots.
