NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 15: Singer/Songwriter Thomas Rhett and his dad Singer/Songwriter Rhett Akins backstage during Opening Night of Chris Young’s Liquid Neon Tour (SOLD OUT) at the Ryman Auditorium on November 15, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

Thomas Rhett is fortunate that his dad, Rhett Atkins, a successful songwriter and artist, can offer him plenty of advice on his career. But according to Thomas, the best life lessons he’s learned from his dad are how to be a go-getter and to always be thankful.

“When I was growing up I was more shy about things that I wanted, as far as sports goes,” Thomas said. “Playing football, I never was that guy that would really try to get into the mix and try to make a name for myself on the football field. But when I got out of high school, Dad really taught me how to go after what I wanted and work really hard for what I wanted and not take for it granted… and remember where the hard work came from.”

Top 20 Country Songs About Dad >>

The other important lesson Rhett passed on to Thomas is to always be thankful. “Whenever something good happens in your life, immediately thank God for it because it’s not your doing anyways,” he said. “He has a plan for everybody. So dad’s always taught me to really be thankful to God for everything I’ve been given.”

Thomas’ latest single, “It Goes Like This,” is at radio now.

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Thomas Rhett photo by Justin Nolan Key, courtesy of The Valory Music Co.

Thomas Rhett is a great songwriter himself but he didn’t pen his new single, “It Goes Like This.” His dad, Rhett Akins, co-wrote the song with Jimmy Robbins and Ben Hayslip. After just one listen, he knew he had to record it.

“The first time I heard it I fell in love with it,” he said. “It’s just got a really cool groove and it’s got big drum sounds. It’s kind of a very moody, sexy song.” Continue Reading

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Country music stars sure love Twitter! This week, Kix Brooks is in Moore, Oklahoma for Healing In the Heatland while Carrie Underwood reflects on her journey and Miranda Lambert takes a shortcut. Plus, Martina  McBride’s oldest daughter graduates from high school, Luke Bryan enjoys Cajun country and Kacey Musgraves has an interesting ice cream truck experience. Here are our picks for this week’s Top 10 Country Tweets Of The Week:

Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/KixBrooks.

Kix Brooks – KixBrooks: In Moore trying to digest it – the flags really help

Carrie Underwood – CarrieUnderwood: 8 years ago today, I won @AmericanIdol and tonight, I sang with the @RollingStones! Wow, so much has happened! #Thankful

Miranda Lambert – MirandaLambert: I just rolled the push mower through the house from the front porch to mow the back yard. Shortcuts are good sometimes. (Don’t tell Blake)

Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/DierksBentley.

Dierks Bentley – DierksBentley: can’t think of a better way to spend Memorial Day #patriotscups. unbelievable vibe here. #usa Continue Reading

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Frankie Ballard photo courtesy of Warner Music Nashville.

The first Faster  Horse Festival has added Frankie Ballard, Kelleigh Bannen, The Cadillac Three, Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys, Will Hoge, Chris Stapleton and many more to a second stage. The artists join previously announced headliners Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley and Luke Bryan along with Kix Brooks, Florida Georgia Line, Colt Ford, David Nail, Jerrod Niemann, Thomas Rhett, Thompson Square, Chris Young, and Brett Eldredge among others.

The Faster Horses Festival will feature 2 stages, 9 campgrounds, late night jam sessions, food trucks, bonfires and more to highlight the unique summer lifestyle experience in the area.For the full line-up, ticket info and set times, visit www.fasterhorsesfestival.com.  Continue Reading

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Ash Bowers photo courtesy of Loud Mouth Entertainment.

The 2013 CMA Music Festival will take pace in downtown Nashville June 6-9 with no less than six free stages featuring live music throughout the day and into the evening as well as countless activities. Tickets for the Nightly Concerts at LP Field sold out a record-setting six weeks in advance of the 2013 Festival, but fans will still have many chances to catch their favorite artists at CMA Music Festival.

Performance lineups for the previously announced Chevrolet Riverfront Stage and Bud Light Stage at the Bridgestone Arena Plaza are available at CMAfest.com, but those schedules are just the beginning of what fans can expect from country music’s biggest festival. Everything from autograph signings, meet-and-greets, cell phone charging stations, product demonstrations, auctions, giveaways, and more will take place in Downtown Nashville throughout the festival. Outdoor spaces are free and open to the public.

Some of this year’s events include:

Transitions Performance Park

New in 2013, Transitions® adaptive lenses will host Transitions Performance Park, where fans can get an enhanced view of the CMA Music Festival from atop Transitions’ two-story viewing platform. Fans will be able to test Transitions products, look through customized viewfinders and star in their own professional photo shoot.

Additionally, daily concerts will take place with the Marshall Tucker Band making their first-ever CMA Music Festival appearance to kick things off on Thursday, June 6 at 11 a.m. with a performance. Other artists set for performances include Ash Bowers, Holly Williams, Due West, Danielle Peck, Julie Roberts, Jeff Bates, Kristy Lee Cook and many more. Continue Reading

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Thomas Rhett photo by Justin Nolan Key, courtesy of The Valory Music Co.

Thomas Rhett has always had respect and appreciation for our military but it wasn’t until he hit the road with Toby Keith last year that he had the chance to play shows for military people and retired vets. Toby helped reinforce Thomas’ desire to make one of his dreams come true.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to do a USO tour,” he said. “I know that Toby’s done countless USO tours. I know a bunch of my buddies have done them. It is definitely something that will be in my plans for the future.”

See photos from Toby Keith’s latest USO tour >> Continue Reading

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Country music stars sure love Twitter! This week, the Grand Ole Opry, Martina McBride and Wynonna Judd pay their respects to George Jones. Plus, Taylor Swift is having one of those nights while Chris Young and Brett Eldredge contemplate pickup lines and weddings. Here are our picks for this week’s Top 10 Country Tweets Of The Week:

Brad Paisley & John Conlee photo courtesy of Twitter.com/Opry.

Grand Ole Opry – Opry: Emotional performance from @BradPaisley and we close with #AmazingGrace from John Conlee. #RememberingJones #Opry

Martina McBride – MartinaMcBride: Such a touching and beautiful service today for @gjpossum. What a privilege to be there. Wouldn’t have missed it. #RememberingJones

Wynonna – WynonnaMusic: It was an honor to show up for Nancy Jones & the family today & pay tribute to my hero. George is a national treasure.

Taylor Swift photo courtesy of Twitter.com/TaylorSwift13.

Taylor Swift – TaylorSwift13: It feels like one of those nights… I google nature-related questions. Continue Reading

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Thomas Rhett photo by Justin Nolan Key, courtesy of The Valory Music Co.

Country artists dream of someday getting the chance to play the historic Grand Ole Opry. When Thomas Rhett made his Opry debut, he called it one of the most nerve-racking moments of his life. He remembers sitting backstage in his dressing room, trying to remain calm.

“My entire family was there,” he said. “I had family from out of town and I had friends. Right before I went onstage I told everybody to get out. I just slammed my head down on the piano and I was like, ‘Man, I’m about to throw up. I’m so nervous.’ Before we walked out onstage, I got to stand onstage with Little Jimmy Dickens while he introduced me. It was just a moment that I’ll never forget.” Continue Reading

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Thomas Rhett photo by Justin Nolan Key, courtesy of The Valory Music Co.

Thomas Rhett doesn’t have much downtime these days. He’s touring, writing music and preparing to release his debut album this summer. When he does have a little bit of free time, he likes to spend it with his friends.

“If it’s in the summertime, I love to go fish,” he said “I like to play golf. I’m not very good at playing golf but I love to do it. It’s relaxing. I just like to chill with my buddies. I don’t get to see my friends a lot being on the road and so when I get home, me and my buddies will go out or just kick it at the house and drink a beer, talk about life. I like to unwind when I get home; kinda chill out.” Continue Reading

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ATHENS, GA – APRIL 13: Jason Aldean performs at Sanford Stadium on April 13, 2013 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Chris McKay/Getty Images)

Jason Aldean headlined the first-ever concert at the University of Georgia’s Sanford Stadium Friday night, playing for more than 60,000 fans. He even made a surprise appearance in the parking lot, causing hysteria. Jason was joined by tour guests Thomas Rhett and Jake Owen as well as Ludacris, who made a special appearance on “Dirt Road Anthem” and Luke Bryan, who joined Jason on “The Only Way I Know.”

“Seeing everything come together the way it did tonight and feeling the energy of the crowd is something I will never forget,” Jason said.  ”When my mom got here last night, we took a walk around the stadium, and it was really emotional for both of us. This place has always meant so much to me, but when I was a kid, we were flat broke and my mom couldn’t afford to buy tickets for us to go to a game. So I watched on TV and dreamed about one day seeing it in person. Tonight was beyond my wildest dreams…the whole thing has honestly shaken me a little bit…it’s has been a night I will never ever forget.” Continue Reading

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