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ESPN Taps Thomas Rhett for 2026 Masters ‘Georgia on My Mind’ Promo

The choice rekindles calls to restore Ray Charles’ original.

Overview

  • ESPN’s new Masters promo, released Monday, features Georgia-born country star Thomas Rhett covering “Georgia on My Mind.”
  • Rhett calls the recording a career milestone and says he aimed for a “timeless” take rooted in his Valdosta upbringing.
  • The spot pairs the song with classic Augusta National visuals and ends with a slow‑motion walk off Magnolia Lane.
  • Coverage and comments split, with SBNation praising the ad while media blogs highlighted fans urging a return to Ray Charles or judging Rhett’s version better than 2025’s by Noah Kahan.
  • The move extends ESPN’s yearly practice since 2020 of commissioning new covers for its early‑round Masters promos, following versions by India Arie, Chloe x Halle, Charles Kelley, Leon Bridges, and Kane Brown.