Rhett Akins Inducted into the Grand Ole Opry
On Tuesday, Rhett Akins marked a significant milestone in his career with his induction into the Grand Ole Opry, a prestigious moment celebrated with fellow Opry members Jamey Johnson and Jon Pardi. Friends from the music industry, including Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan, joined in the celebration. However, one of the most touching highlights of the evening was when his son, Thomas Rhett, took the stage to pay tribute to his father.
Thomas Rhett’s Heartfelt Tribute
Thomas Rhett expressed his excitement and pride in being able to honor his father during this monumental occasion. “This is arguably the coolest thing that I have done in my career, and the coolest thing I will get to do is help honor my dad’s induction into the Grand Ole Opry,” he stated.
Influence of Family on Musical Journey
Reflecting on his journey, Thomas shared how his father’s influence has shaped his musical career. He acknowledged that while he believes his musical abilities are a gift from God, the foundation of his talent stems from his father. “I know that God gave me some talent and the ability to write songs and sing, but it all came from that dude,” he said, gesturing towards Rhett standing nearby.
Shared Musical Memories
Thomas reminisced about his childhood, recalling how he began writing songs with his dad at a young age. This shared passion not only strengthened their bond but also led to their songs achieving commercial success. “I remember being seven years old asking dad if he’d write a song with me. We’ve been writing songs ever since… It can only be God at that point,” he reflected.
Simple Yet Meaningful Words
Despite having numerous thoughts to express, Thomas kept his tribute straightforward and sincere. “I’m just so insanely proud of my dad. This has been his biggest dream for as long as I can remember,” he said, encapsulating his admiration.
A Touch of Humor
Adding a light-hearted moment to the evening, Thomas shared a humorous observation about his father’s nervousness as the induction approached. He mentioned visiting Rhett earlier that day and noted how anxious he seemed, humorously noting that Rhett had already completed his 10,000 steps by 7:30 AM due to his Fitbit goals.
Final Performance and Words of Encouragement
Before performing their co-written song “Half of Me,” Thomas concluded his tribute with a heartfelt message. “Dad, I’m so proud of you. I love you to death. I hope you’re soaking every single bit of this in because this doesn’t happen to everybody, man. You’re in the 0.00001% of people that get through this,” he said, highlighting the rarity and significance of the occasion.
Source: countrynow.com