Thomas Rhett happened on the country music scene about a year and a half ago and his first single, Something To Do With Your Hands is exactly what country music fans have been asking for, or so it seems as his popularity grows with every play of the song on Y108.

1. It Runs In The Family
Although only 22 Thomas Rhett has been around music all his life. His dad is Rhett Akins who is still a big player in Nashville with a number of country hits that he’s either sung or written. The two of them are a father son songwriting team on many projects.

2. Yo, it’s a Hit Ma’ Brotha’
One of the styles that Thomas has told me he believes in as far as songwriting styles go is that he writes all his songs like “rap” songs. I told him he was crazy but if you listen so many songs from Jason Aldean, Rodney Atkins and songs by Thomas, without the music would all be rap songs. Says Thomas it’s how you make sure all the words fit exactly…and I gotta say, he’s right!

3. First Time Out
If you have any doubt about a new artist look at what major tour they get attached to. In the case of Thomas Rhett, he is the show opener for the Toby Keith show with Brantley Gilbert. It’s all in the company you keep.

4. Eight Man Jammer
Based on his early performance in our Y108 Baierl Acura Theatre we immediately signed Thomas to our Y108 Eight Man Jam in May. He was terrific!

5. Plays Well With Others
Thomas being a Nashville musician and songwriter is no stranger to playing with other musicians. To the surprise of everyone he asked my band, The Stoney River Boys, and folks the musicians describing us is a stretch, if he could sit in with us. He did on our version of Long Haired Country Boy.

6. Father Knows Best
Thomas’s father who’s real name is Thomas Rhett Akins Sr. has written at least 5 #1 songs currently on the charts. Gimme That Girl for Joe Nichols, All About Tonite for Blake Shelton and Take a Back Road for Rodney Atkins just to name a few. In the business they call that mailbox money.

7.  A Name By Any Other Name
Thomas Rhett got his professional name from dad who always called him “Thomas Rhett, you come here now.”
At home, dad was Rhett and his son was called ThomasRhett(one word). “It helps to find out who has to wash the dishes or clean out the garage”, says Rhett.

8. I know Where I Came From
Thomas who played in Moon Townships 4th of July bash played me a new rap song about country star Joe Diffie. He says he’ll let me play it one day. So far, he hasn’t figured out how to send it to me. Joe Diffie had a ton of country hits in the early 90′s about the time his dad was being played on the radio.

9. Who’s Who?
Thomas Rhett is the only country act I’ve had the pleasure of playing music from both the father and the son. Back in the 90′s I played Rhett’s, “That Ain’t My Truck” and now I get to play Thomas’ “Something To Do With Your Hands.”

10. Returning a Favor
When we let Thomas sing with my band at 8 Man Jam he said he’d re-pay me and asked me to rap with him on stage at the moon Township 4th of July show on “Whatcha’ Got in That Cup”. Never been so scared in my life…but I did it!